The Ultimate Guide to Successful Open Houses: Best Practices for Real Estate Agents

Addressing Common Mistakes to Avoid During Open Houses

While following best practices is crucial, avoiding common pitfalls that detract from the open house experience is equally important. Here are some mistakes to steer clear of:

• Neglecting to research the property thoroughly: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about the home’s history, features, and neighborhood. Know how close the home is to important services like shopping, medical centers, and transportation. Additionally, you’ll want to get to know the area schools and how they rank. 
  
• Failing to secure valuables: Work with the homeowner to safely store valuable items and personal information. Suggest locking them in a car or safe until the open house is over. This should also be a best practice for any home tour.
  
• Overlooking pet odors or presence: Ensure that pets are removed from the property and any pet-related odors are addressed. Again, taking the animals for a car ride or having a neighbor fur-babysit may be an easy way to keep them out of sight and trouble.
  
• Forgetting to adjust the temperature: Make sure the house is comfortable for visitors, regardless of the weather outside. However, this is also an excellent opportunity to show that the heating and cooling system in the home is in good working order. 
  
• Not having property information readily available: Prepare handouts with key details about the home, including price, square footage, and recent upgrades. The number of bedrooms and bathrooms is helpful to open house attendees after they leave the house. 
  
• Pressuring visitors for personal information: While collecting contact details is essential, avoid being overly aggressive. With digital QR codes and online forms, collecting info is as easy as a few clicks on their phone. Portray it as such, and you’ll collect more information to keep in touch.
  
• Neglecting to monitor all areas of the house: Ensure you or a colleague can keep an eye on all rooms to prevent theft or damage. Don’t camp out in one room. Walk through the house, especially if you’re busy or have a lull in the action.
  
• Failing to address obvious flaws: Be prepared to discuss any known issues with the property honestly and provide information on potential solutions. A little homework done beforehand can allow you to give quotes for work and refer good contractors. You can also keep a list of approximate costs to fix the most common items new homebuyers want to change, such as flooring, painting, lighting, windows, siding, plumbing fixtures, and cabinetry. 
  
• Overlooking the exterior: To maximize the home’s curb appeal, tidy the yard, clean the windows, and address any exterior maintenance issues. As the sellers, this might be a project you tackle before the open house, as it will be more inviting to your attendees. 
  
• Not being prepared for unexpected questions: Anticipate a wide range of inquiries and have resources to find answers quickly if needed. If you are a new agent, ask other agents what kind of information they have been asked and how they prepared. 
  

Post-Open House Follow-Up Strategies

In reality, the work continues when the last visitor leaves. Effective follow-up can turn interested attendees into serious buyers. It takes 5-12 follow-ups for a potential buyer to respond to a marketing message. Here are some strategies to implement after your open house:

• Send personalized thank-you emails: Within 24 hours, message each attendee, thanking them for coming and offering to answer any additional questions.
  
• Provide additional information: If visitors expressed interest in specific aspects of the home, then follow up with relevant details or resources.
  
• Request feedback: Ask attendees for their thoughts on the property. This can provide valuable insights and keep the conversation going.
  
• Schedule private showings: For those who showed strong interest, offer to arrange a more detailed, private viewing of the property.
  
• Stay in touch: With their permission, add interested parties to your mailing list for future listings and market updates.
  
• Update the seller: Provide the homeowner with a summary of the open house, including attendance numbers and general feedback.
  
• Adjust your strategy: Based on the feedback and results, adjust your marketing or staging approach for future open houses as needed.
  
• Follow up on leads: If you received inquiries about other properties or services, address these promptly.
  
• Share on social media: Post a recap of the open house on your professional social media accounts to maintain engagement and showcase your active listings.
  
• Analyze your performance: Reflect on what worked well and what needs improvement for your next open house.

Printable Open House Preparation Checklist

To ensure you don’t miss any crucial steps in preparing for your open house, use this handy checklist:

• Confirm the date and time with the seller
• Create and distribute marketing materials (online and offline)
• Clean and declutter the entire property
• Stage rooms for optimal appeal
• Ensure all lights are working and turned on
• Open all window coverings for maximum natural light
• Set a comfortable temperature
• Remove or secure valuables and personal information
• Prepare refreshments and set up a refreshment area
• Print property information sheets and sign-in forms
• Place directional signs in the neighborhood
• Prepare a list of the home’s key features and recent upgrades
• Check that all doors can be opened, including closets and outdoor areas
• Arrange for pet care if necessary
• Set out business cards and marketing materials
• Prepare a digital presentation or virtual tour if applicable
• Charge your phone and bring a portable charger
• Bring cleaning supplies for last-minute touch-ups
• Set up a welcoming fragrance (candles, air fresheners, etc.)
• Review comparable properties in the area for pricing discussions

By following these best practices, avoiding common mistakes, implementing effective follow-up strategies, and using the preparation checklist, you’ll be well-equipped to host successful open houses that generate interest and potentially lead to sales. At Showami, we can help represent your company at every property you have listed. We can show the house even when you’re on vacation. Our on-demand showing agents are professionally licensed and ready to help you sell your listings. Remember, each open house is an opportunity to sell a property, showcase your skills as a real estate professional, and expand your network of potential clients.