How to Have a Public Open House
Sunday open houses have become a real estate ritual. If you prepare for yours correctly, it can be an excellent selling tool.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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If You're Working With an Agent
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1
Meet with your agent and discuss all the details of what's involved with an open house. You may decide not to have one.
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2
Discuss with your agent all potential advertising venues, and share any special groups you belong to that might be interested in your open house.
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3
Go through the entire house with your agent the day before the open house and listen closely to his or her directions on preparing the home for showings.
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4
Have your agent prepare a professional-looking visitor sign-in sheet for collecting names and phone numbers of guests.
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5
Keep a low profile during the open house (or better yet, leave) and let the agent do what agents do best.
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6
Make sure your agent knows precisely what you want and need regarding price so that if a hot prospect shows up, negotiations will stay on the right track.
If You're Not Working With an Agent
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1
Place an ad in your local newspaper to announce the open house. Include very specific directions to your home.
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2
Buy signs to put up in areas near your home to announce the open house.
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3
Prepare a typewritten or laser-printed sign-in sheet so you can collect names and phone numbers of visitors.
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4
Print brochures or fliers with lots of specific information about the house and how visitors can reach you.
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5
Do a complete walk-through of your home on the morning of the open house to make sure everything is in its place.
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6
Make the property immaculate and play soft background music.
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7
Lock up all valuables.
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8
Keep pets away from the action.
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9
Greet visitors warmly and give them your brochures or fliers.
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10
Let visitors tour the property alone unless they ask you to give them a tour. This allows them to discuss your property without hurting your feelings.
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11
As visitors leave, ask open-ended questions like "What did you think of the property?" and "What did you like best about the house?"
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12
Be prepared to answer very specific questions about the house, such as "How old is the roof?" "How long has it been since the furnace was inspected?" and "What are the neighbors like?"
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13
Be prepared to negotiate in case you get a live wire prospect.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Leaving some cookies and punch for the open house guests is a nice touch.
Agents may come by to take a look. Listen to their suggestions closely; you might get some good free advice that will help you sell your home faster.
If agents drop in, keep their business cards in case you have trouble selling your home down the road and want their help.
Keep your spouse or another family member on hand to greet guests in case you end up in a serious conversation with a hot prospect.
Get rid of or lock up all prescriptions, medications and valuables. Why take chances?
Keep pets away from visitors. If pets are unfriendly, take them away for the open house.
There's always the possibility that thieves could visit. Keep valuables well hidden.
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Comments
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YvonneLederer
Apr 27, 2007
Remove Family Photos!...Remember that your personal memories are your treasure, alone, and not necessarily anyone else's. Negative impressions can be made quicker than thought by a buyer who does not share the same values or style as the seller, and much can be is revealed through a simple photograph. Perhaps the neighborhood has changed substantially. Perhaps the buyer has a different lifestyle. Rule of thumb: Anything too personal that could potentially turn off a buyer, is better tucked away until the traffic is gone. -
YvonneLederer
Apr 27, 2007
Remove Family Photos!...Remember that your personal memories are your treasure, alone, and not necessarily anyone else's. Negative impressions can be made quicker than thought by a buyer who does not share the same values or style as the seller, and much can be is revealed through a simple photograph. Perhaps the neighborhood has changed substantially. Perhaps the buyer has a different lifestyle. Rule of thumb: Anything too personal that could potentially turn off a buyer, is better tucked away until the traffic is gone.
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Nov 22, 2005
Since the people walking into the house determine in the first few seconds if they like the house or not, the first impression is the most crucial. Make sure your entrance is swept, cobwebs are removed, garden hoses are put away, etc. Also check that your entry hallway is free of clutter, free of odors, clean and very inviting - that includes the right temperature. Don't knock your guests back out the door with a thermostat that's set to 80F, or to 10F.
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Nov 22, 2005
Make sure your house is as clean as you can possibly get it. Pay special attention to corners, light switch plates, tops of lamps and carpet spots. Get rid of offending odors in your house - clean the litterbox, empty all trashcans, clean all toilets (including under the rim) and tubs, and wash all the laundry. After vacuuming, spray the carpet lightly with linen spray (available at linen stores, or supermarkets) to leave your home smelling fresh and inviting.
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Nov 22, 2005
Print out little notes about specific good features of your house. That way, you can tell the people looking at the house about the new paint in the hall, the new roof or how old the furnace is, without even standing beside them.
