According to the National Association of Realtors, 5.34 million existing homes were sold in 2018.
Ready to add your home to that number? With these tips for a successful open house, a new family will call it “home sweet home” in no time!
Your home won’t be on the market much longer. Use these tips for how to prepare for an open house and get ready for a sale!
1. Day and Time
Timing is everything, right? The first step to a successful open house is choosing the right day and time.
The tradition scheduling for an open house is a Sunday afternoon. This time slot is usually ideal for a busy home hunter’s schedule.
Young families or families with children might have plans on Saturdays that make that day difficult.
While Sunday open houses are standard, you don’t have to stick to this day and time. Instead, explore different time slots that are ideal for your target shopper.
Whatever date and time you choose, advertising is key.
Make sure to put a greater emphasis on your nontraditional time and date. That way, potential buyers don’t make assumptions.
2. Stage It Right
Create an environment that appeals to the largest audience of potential buyers. If you consider your specific buyers, you can determine the atmosphere that attracts their attention.
Make your home as impersonal as possible.
This makes it easier for prospective buyers to imagine their own decor and design.
Having a vacant home can also make it easier for you to use virtual services. You can then use an iPad to help potential homeowners imagine their own furniture and arrangements.
When posting the listing online, make sure you use professional photography. High-quality images with good lighting and composition can make your home stand out from the rest.
With hundreds of options online, you want your home to appear eye-catching.
Hire a professional landscaper to update your home’s exterior. Then, use a professional photographer (and not an iPhone camera) to capture your home’s beauty.
Before the photo shoot, make sure to clean up, get those countertops sparkling, and put away any personal items.
Open the blinds and curtains to let natural sunlight in, too. This can help your home appear larger and welcoming.
Then you’re set to snap away!
3. Brochure Beauty
Put those professional photos to good use.
Potential homebuyers can leave with an amazing brochure to remind them of your home. If “out of sight, out of mind” rings true, the opposite does, too!
Make sure to include all the relevant information on your brochure. That includes:
- The property’s address
- The listing price
- Highlights of any key features
- Those beautiful, professional photos you had taken
These brochures can attract new walk-ins to your home or help previous visitors when they’re making a decision.
That way, you’re still making an impact long after your open house.
For extra help, here are seven ways to sell your own home fast.
4. Effective Advertising
According to Forbes, the current homeownership rate in the U.S. is just under 64 percent. That’s a 5.9 percent increase from the previous year.
This rise in homeownership means you’re bound to experience a little competition.
To make sure you attract prospective homeowners to your front door, a strong advertising strategy is key.
Many people use signs within their neighborhood to attract visitors. However, this narrows your target audience. Instead, try a few digital advertising strategies to drum up interest.
Head onto social media to attract potential homeowners.
You can use Facebook groups, Instagram, or a listing website to generate interest.
Make sure you’re using hashtags that are relevant to your area. That way, you’re generating that interest with people who are likely to attend your open house.
5. Warm Welcomes
A first impression means everything. To make sure every visitor who steps onto your welcome mat actually feels welcome, try incorporating the five senses.
- Sight: What’s the first thing people see when they walk through the doors? Create a welcoming visual that’s comfortable, relaxing, and memorable.
- Sound: Most people don’t associate the sounds of nearby traffic as relaxing. Try masking the sounds of traffic, construction, or dogs in the distance with soothing music instead.
- Smell: Who doesn’t love the smell of freshly baked cookies? When hosting your open house, try to use positive association with sweet smells (lavender, citrus, spiced apple cider) to create a homey environment.
- Taste: A happy experience can leave a lasting impression. Sometimes, food is the way to a person’s heart. Offer treats such as freshly baked cookies, appetizers, or a drink to create this positive impression.
- Touch: Set your home to a comfortable temperature before the open house. Make sure dust doesn’t linger against any mantles, either.
By appealing to these positive senses, you can create a good, lasting impression with anyone who visits your home.
6. Gather Feedback
As part of your open house checklist, buy a guest book or set up a log on your iPad. That way, you can log your guests and gather their information.
As people arrive, greet them warmly. Then, ask what they’re looking for in their next future home. Make sure to remain genuine and friendly.
Even if your home isn’t the right fit for them, your warm welcome can leave an impression.
This can help spread the word about your property.
Then, ask for honest feedback. Feedback can help you make essential changes for your next open house. That way, you’re using constructive criticism to set yourself up for future success.
7. Friendly Follow-Up
After your open house, follow up!
Sometimes, people visit your home early in their house hunt. At that point, they might not be prepared to make a decision.
Calling or emailing with a friendly follow-up can help remind potential homebuyers of your property.
This can even help you discover fresh leads through their friends and family.
Welcome Home: 7 Tips for a Successful Open House
With these seven tips for a successful open house, you can drum up interest and attract potential homebuyers. Then, don’t forget to follow up! That way, you can sell your home sooner rather than later.
Discover more helpful advice and tips for success by exploring our latest posts.
