Open Houses can be stressful events. Here are some tips that will get you through the basics!
Create a property website : A good marketing strategy is to create a property website where you already have photos of every room in the house from multiple angles, as well as up close photos of the interior and exterior features of the home. Once you have this, provide them with a flyer or brochure with a link as an easy way for visitors to check out the home after they leave.
Advertise your open house on Facebook : Upload pictures of the home, as well as when the open house will be. This is a great way for agents to generate leads for themselves, as well as the open house they are promoting.
Reach out to neighbors : Print invitations or personally invite neighbors. This will create a buzz between the neighbors and maybe even their friends. Prospective buyers will start to look at you as the area expert.
Paint the house in the best possible light : Turn all the lights on, remove everything off the countertops (this will give a cleaner feel) and take down personal items if possible (you want potential buyers to picture themselves in the home). The home should be entirely clean, organized and tidy to give potential buyers the perfect product.
Make it easy for buyers to visualize how rooms can be used : Show prospective buyers how to use the spaces. Include clever storage to make the most out of a room and place furniture in unused bedrooms or spaces.
Make sure you provide handouts : These handouts should include a mortgage loan breakdown (which helps prospects understand the potential costs of financing the property), glossary of home ownership/mortgage terms (a sheet of simple terms can be helpful to buyers) and neighborhood information (note local schools, grocery stores, restaurants, etc.)
Come prepared with the right information : Make sure you know homes for sale, builders, and floor plans of the whole area around your open house. The people who come into your open house may have no interest in that home in particular, but you can still be valuable to them by knowing what is available and helping them to find the best home for them.
Collect email addresses : Collect the email address the minute people show up. This will keep interested lookers informed about future open houses.
Don’t forget about good, old fashioned advertisement : Promote the home in local newspaper ads, on social media, as well as put up signs to direct prospective buyers to the house to view. Have a sign in sheet in order to capture clients, refreshments and maybe a small treat!
Spruce up curb appeal : Don’t lose your buyer before they get inside. Make sure the lawn is mowed, flowers are blooming and you will have buyers lined up!
