Holding an Open House? Here's How to Make Sure It's a Success

An open home isn’t only about getting people through the door. A successful open home can result not only in getting people to attend but also in getting people to place an offer. It is safe to say if a listing gets multiple offers the agent has done their job correctly. 

So let's talk about what should be done to make the open home a success. 

Advertise Across Multiple Channels 

To gain interest it is best to get the message out across as many different mediums as possible such as 

• E-newsletters 
• Social media 
• Agent website 
• Websites such as realestate.com.au
• Signage 

Getting the word out about an upcoming open house as soon as possible helps prospective home buyers make plans to attend. 

It’s All In The Timing 

As a seller, the more people in attendance the better,  so identifying the best day and time to hold your open house can help improve your chances of success. 

A lot of people find weekends to be the best fit to attend open houses as they’re off work and have the time to visit multiple places on the same day. Mid-morning and early afternoon hours can often draw the largest crowds.

Prepare The Home 

Homeowners need to understand what they can do to make the house as attractive as possible to potential buyers during the open house and any other potential showings. These efforts should start with a thorough cleaning and decluttering.

Make sure to pack away personal items like photographs. The goal is to help prospective buyers imagine themselves living there. This can be hard if there are other people's belongings and personal items on display.

We also have the Top Tips for getting your house market-ready.

What To Do On The Day 

During the open house, focus on making the home feel more inviting. These tips will help increase the potential of a home sale during the event:

• On open house day, remove all vehicles from the driveway and in front of the home so buyers can appreciate the kerb appeal as they arrive.
• Make the house as bright as possible by opening curtains and blinds as well as turning on inside lights.
• Remove any pets for the duration of the showing. It may put people off if they have an allergy or are just not a fan of animals. It is also important to get rid of any residual pet smell.
• Go for more subtle and pleasant smells such as a vase with fresh flowers, this will leave potential buyers with a more positive experience. 

An Agent’s Role in Ensuring a Successful Open House

An experienced and knowledgeable listing agent can be invaluable when it comes to an open house. They should

• Distribute useful information 
• Provide guidance 
• Be engaging and follow up with potential leads

All of these things are key in supporting both the seller and potential buyer through the process and having a successful sale. 

Providing the Right Information About the Property

Potential buyers want to be able to find property information quickly and easily.  Information such as 

• as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, 
• square meterage, 
• recent upgrades, 
• and distinctive features. 

All this information should be easily accessible during the showing. Providing local information such as nearby amenities and schools will also make it easier for potential buyers as well and help to highlight the advantages of the neighbourhood. 

Engaging with Visitors, Providing Valuable Knowledge and Following Up

During the showing, the agent needs to engage with those who attend. This can mean providing brochures and informative material to gain attention and generate interest. They should also be on hand to answer any queries about the property, its features and the area. This can provide valuable local knowledge for a potential buyer, especially if they are new to the area. 

It is also key that after the open house, the agent promptly follows up through email or phone call with those who expressed interest. This will also allow them to address any queries that may have come up after they left and help to put the property back at the front of the minds of potential buyers.  Most potential buyers will have looked at many other properties on the same day. 

If you are ready to sell and want to ensure that your open home is a success you can contact our NXTGEN sales team who have over 35 years of experience and local property knowledge to help guide you through the process.