How to do an Open House? 8 Tips for Sellers

The open house is a time-honored tradition in real estate, but it requires the proper preparation to host a successful one. 

Research suggests that hosting an open house is an effective selling strategy for 52% of real estate agents. Why? Because you never know who might show up and fall in love with your house. 

It’s also a great opportunity to meet potential buyers and get to know them, which might make them more likely to want to put in an offer. If you want to sell your home, you should consider holding an open house. 

But how to do an open house as a seller? 

As a seller, with an open house, you’re literally “opening” your home to complete strangers, which can be daunting. But no worries, with a few tips, we’ll help you feel confident about hosting an open house.

Here are 7 open house tips for sellers who want to host a successful open house that draws buyers in and gets them making offers.

1. Trust your real estate agent with the process 

When you’re thinking about hosting an open house, it’s important to remember that your real estate agent is the expert. They know what potential buyers are looking for and how to show off your home in the best light. That’s why it’s important to trust your agent and let them take control of the event. They’ll make sure that everything runs smoothly and that your home looks its best.

Your agent will handle the event’s logistics, from advertising to inviting potential buyers and answering their questions. You can relax and enjoy the event, knowing that your agent has everything under control.

2. Decide on a time and date 

When you’re selling your home, one of the first things you’ll need to do is decide when to hold your open house. You’ll want to choose a time and date that’s convenient for you and will allow potential buyers to see your home at its best.

If you’re selling in a buyers’ market, you may want to consider holding your open house on the weekend when more people are likely available to attend. To generate a sense of urgency, preferably the first weekend after listing your property. 

Sundays are normally ideal, but during football season, you may want to consider Saturday to avoid competing with the big game. Or, even better, you could host it on Saturday and Sunday.

However, if you’re selling in a sellers’ market, you may want to consider holding your open house during the week when fewer homes on the market compete for buyers’ attention. 

Once you’ve decided on a day, you’ll need to pick a time. Again, you’ll need to balance your schedule with the needs of potential buyers. Early afternoon is usually a good time.

Having decided on the time and date, it’s time to advertise your open house in advance. 

3. Get the word out

The best way to advertise your open house is to list it with a professional real estate agent that can bring many potential buyers from their network.

You could also list it on your website and social media accounts if you wish. You can also distribute flyers in your neighborhood and advertise in local newspapers. Be sure to include all pertinent information about your open houses, such as the date, time, address, and any special features or amenities you will be highlighting. You can also offer incentives to encourage people to attend, such as door prizes or refreshments.

4. Post your open house listing online

With an ever-growing digital world, it’s no wonder that online is one of the best ways to advertise your open house. By posting your open house listing online, you allow potential buyers to see when your open house is and get a preview of your home. 

Your real estate agent will take care of this portion, so you can rest assured that the property will be property listed online. 

According to the National Association of Realtors, 93% of home buyers conduct online searches for open houses. So, if you’re selling your home, here are some open house selling tips for ensuring your listing is effective:

• Use a popular real estate website: By posting your listing on a popular real estate website, you’ll ensure that many people see it. To get the most exposure for your listing, be sure to list it on as many sites as possible. Zillow, Trulia, and Redfin are all great places to start. Your real estate agent will ensure your property is listed on the top real estate websites. You can also post your listing on your website or blog if you have one.
• Use keywords: When potential buyers search for open houses online, they’ll often use keywords such as the location, price range, and type of home. Make sure to include these keywords in your listing so that your home appears in the search results.
• Include photos: People love looking at photos, so make sure to include some good ones from your home. We recommend hiring a professional photographer to ensure the pictures are the best possible ones. This will give potential buyers a better idea of what your home looks like and help them decide if they’re interested in attending your open house.

Once you’ve got your listing up, promote it! Send an email blast to your friends and family, and post it on social media. The more people who know about your open house, the more likely you will find a buyer.

5. Ensure your home is tour-ready

When selling your home, you’ll want to make sure it’s in tip-top shape before potential buyers come for a tour. This means decluttering, deep cleaning, and perhaps even making some cosmetic improvements. You want your home to look its best so buyers can imagine themselves living there.

If you have other people living in the house, let them know so they can also be prepared.

6. Clean and declutter

Start by decluttering every room in your house. Get rid of anything you don’t need or use anymore. Then, give your house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom. Wash the windows, polish the floors, clean the kitchen and scrub the bathrooms.

Once your house is clean, you can focus on making any necessary improvements. Maybe you need to touch up the paint or repair some damaged drywall. Maybe you want to replace old fixtures or add some new ones. Whatever you do, just make sure your home is in its best possible condition before you open the doors for tours.

Side note: all this preparation isn’t only for the open house; it is initially important to take amazing pictures for the listing!

First impressions matter – especially when you’re putting your home on the market! In addition to any larger projects you undertake to prepare your home for open houses and tours, don’t forget the little details that can make a big difference. Depersonalizing, decluttering, and giving your place a deep clean can go a long way in making your home look its best. 

Here are a few tips to help you get started with cleaning and decluttering:

1. Start by giving your home a good deep cleaning. This means getting rid of any dirt, dust, or grime that has built up over time. Not only will this make your home look cleaner, but it will also make it smell fresher. 
2. Once your home is clean, it’s time to declutter. Get rid of any clutter that has accumulated in your homes, such as clothes, toys, or knick-knacks. You want potential buyers to be able to see the space in your home, not the stuff that’s filling it up.
3. Finally, make sure to tidy up any areas that might be particularly cluttered, such as the kitchen counter or the bathroom sink. Potential buyers will look closely at these places, so you want to ensure they’re neat and organized. Making the beds is essential too.

Remember, potential buyers are looking for a home they can see themselves living in. If your home is clean and tidy, it will be much easier for them to imagine themselves making it their own.

Take a look at this example of a disorganized kitchen next to an organized kitchen. These details make the difference!

7. Make it appear less personal

As a seller, you want to do everything you can to make your home appealing to potential buyers. One important tip is to depersonalize your home so buyers can imagine themselves living there.

To depersonalize your home, start by removing any personal items, such as family photos, from the walls and surfaces. You should also put away any items that are specific to your taste, such as collections or memorabilia.

8. A private showing is also an option 

As you prepare your home for an open house, don’t forget to consider the option of a private showing. This can be a great way to get serious buyers in to see your home without all the hustle and bustle of an open house. Plus, it allows you to control traffic flow through your home and answer any buyers’ questions in a more intimate setting. If you’re unsure how to arrange a private showing, your real estate agent can help.

Be careful; in the winter, make sure that if you do private showings, you schedule them. It probably won’t be a good idea to have people waiting outside in the cold.

Here are a few tips for making the most of private showings:

• Make sure your home is clean and tidy before potential buyers arrive. This first impression is important!
• Take the time to talk to buyers and answer any questions they have. Be friendly and enthusiastic about your home.
• Use the opportunity to highlight your home’s best features. Point out the things that you think make it special and unique.
• Be flexible with buyers’ schedules. If someone wants to see your home outside of normal hours, do your best to accommodate them. This means that while your house is listed, it should be ready to host visitors. 

By following these tips, you can make private showings an important part of your selling strategy. 

Bottom Line

We hope our post showed you how to conduct an open house as a seller. Remember, every open house is an opportunity to showcase your home and bring you one step closer to finding the perfect buyer. So be sure to be hospitable and welcoming to everyone who comes through the door or watches the Livestream of your open house – because every person is a potential buyer!

If you want to sell your home, we are more than happy to guide you in the process. Reach out to us by clicking here or calling us anytime at (617)729-2967 for a free consultation.