Unlocking the Secrets of Hosting a Successful Open House: 8 Expert Tips for Sellers

The concept of an open house, or "puertas abiertas" in Spanish, has long been a cherished tradition in the real estate sector, but it requires proper preparation to be carried out successfully.

Research has shown 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 home.

It's also a great opportunity to meet potential buyers, which could increase the likelihood of them wanting to submit an offer. If you're looking to sell your home, you should consider hosting an open house.

But how do you host an open house as a seller? As a seller, hosting an open house means literally "opening" your home to strangers, which can be daunting. But fear not, with some tips, we'll help you feel confident in hosting an open house.

Here are 7 tips for sellers looking to host a successful open house that attracts buyers and prompts them to make offers.

Table of Contents

• Entrust the Process to Your Real Estate Agent

• Choose a Date and Time

• Spread the Word

• Post the Open House Listing Online

• So if you're selling your home, here are some sale …

• Ensure Your Home Is Tour-Ready

• Clean and Organize the Home

• Here are some tips to help you get started with cl …

• Make It Less Personal

• Private Viewings are Also an Option

• Here are some tips for making the most of private …

Entrust the Process to Your Real Estate Agent

When considering hosting an open house, it's important to remember that your real estate agent is the expert. Your agent knows what potential buyers are looking for and how to showcase your home in the best possible light.

That's why it's important to trust your agent and let them take control of the event. Your real estate agent will ensure that everything runs smoothly and that your home looks its best.

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

Choose a Date and Time

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

If you're selling in a buyer's market, you may want to consider hosting the open house on the weekend, when more people are likely available to attend. To create a sense of urgency, preferably the first weekend after listing your property.

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

However, if you're selling in a seller's market, you may want to consider hosting the open house during the week when fewer homes on the market compete for buyers' attention.

Once you've chosen 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 hours are often a good time.

Having decided on the date and time, it's time to announce the open house in advance.

Distribute your content across various channels, including your website, social media platforms, and email newsletters, to reach a wider audience and drive engagement.

Spread the Word

The best way to announce the open house is to list it with a professional real estate agent who can attract many potential buyers from their network of contacts.

You can also include it on your website and social media accounts if you wish. In turn, you could distribute flyers in your neighborhood and advertise in local newspapers. 

Be sure to include all relevant information about the open house, such as the date, time, address, and any special features or services that stand out. You can also offer incentives to encourage people to attend, such as door prizes or refreshments and snacks.

Post the Open House Listing Online

So if you're selling your home, here are some sales tips for your open house to ensure your listing is effective:

Use a popular real estate website: by listing the property 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 include it on as many sites as possible. Zillow, Trulia, and Redfin are great places to start. 

Your real estate agent will ensure that your property appears on the top real estate websites. You can also post the listing on your website or blog if you have one.

Use keywords: when potential buyers search online for open houses, they often use keywords such as location, price range, and type of home. Be sure to include these keywords in your listing so that your home appears in search results.

Include photos: people love looking at photos, so be sure to include some good ones from your home. 

We recommend hiring a professional photographer to ensure the images are the best they can be. This will give potential buyers a better idea of what your home looks like. Plus, it will help them decide if they're interested in attending the open house.

Once you have your listing, promote it! Send out a mass email to your friends and family and post it on social media. The more people know about your open house, the more likely you are to find a buyer.

Ensure Your Home Is Tour-Ready

When selling your home, you'll want it to be in tip-top condition 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 that buyers can envision themselves living there.

If you have other people living in the home (tenants, for example), inform them so they can also be prepared.

Clean and Organize the Home

Start by decluttering all rooms in the house. Get rid of anything you no longer need or use. Then, give your home a thorough cleaning from top to bottom. Wash the windows, polish the floors, clean the kitchen, and scrub the bathrooms.

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

Note: all this preparation is not just for the open house; initially, it's important to take the best photos of your home when listing it.

First impressions matter, especially when you're putting your home on the market! Don't forget about the little details that can make a big difference. Depersonalizing, clearing out clutter, and giving your place a deep clean can go a long way toward making your home look its best both in photos and in person at the open house.

Here are some tips to help you get started with cleaning and organizing:

Start by giving your home a good deep clean. This means getting rid of any dirt, dust, or grime that has built up over time. This will not only make your home look cleaner but will also make it smell fresher.

Once your home is clean, it's time to declutter. Get rid of any clutter that has accumulated, such as clothes, toys, or knick-knacks. You want potential buyers to see the space in your home, not the things filling it up. The fewer things there are, the more spacious your home will look.

Finally, make sure to tidy up any areas that may be particularly cluttered, such as the kitchen counter or bathroom sink. Potential buyers will be scrutinizing these areas closely, so they should be neat and organized.  Making the beds is also crucial.

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

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

Make It 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 that buyers can envision themselves living there.

To depersonalize your home, start by removing any personal items, such as family photos, from the walls and surfaces. You may also want to pack away any items like collections or mementos.

Private Viewings are Also an Option

As you prepare your home for an open house, don't forget to consider the option of a private viewing. This can be an excellent way to get serious buyers to see the house without all the hustle and bustle of a crowded open house.

Plus, it allows you to control the flow of traffic through your home and answer buyers' questions in a more intimate setting. If you're not sure how to schedule a private viewing, your real estate agent can help.

Be cautious; in the winter, it's important to schedule private viewings. It's probably not a good idea to have people waiting outside in the cold.

Here are some tips for making the most of private viewings:

• Make sure your home is clean and tidy before potential buyers arrive. This first impression is important, which is why we emphasize this portion so much!

• Take the time to talk to buyers and answer any questions they may have. Be friendly and enthusiastic about your home.

• Take the opportunity to highlight the home's best features. Point out things 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 home is listed, it should always be ready to receive visits.

• By following these tips, you can make private home viewings an important part of your sales strategy.