Open Houses whether you like them or not are an important part of selling homes but they can also be a huge waste of time if not done properly.  This time of year and during the summer the Open House gains more popularity as a way to showcase a home without the headache of sticking to an appointment.  If you visit an open house over the weekend you will notice different techniques by the agents and sellers whether it be promotions or the actual time in the home.  The important part is that each agent is being strategic and affective to make sure the time spent hoping for a buyer is not time wasted.  Below are 4 tips to help you or your agent not fail at your next open house.

  1. Pre promotions – Every open house should be promoted days in advance and broadcast to as much of the world as possible.  Create FB events and invite, pass out flyers to neighbors, get the yard signs out by Thursday, email blast your lists and of course promote within your MLS.  This distributes the open house to all the 3rd party sites that most buyers browse to shop.
  2. Photos – Making sure you use the best pictures possible to create this event and have them ready online for others to view is key.  Dark pictures of cluttered rooms are not inviting and when someone walks into this, they are immediately turned off.  Take fresh pictures current with the weather and update the listing, events and promotions.
  3. Don’t sit there – How many times have you walked into an Open House and the agent is staring at their phone or watching the game on tv?  An open house is great content for going “live” or shooting promotional videos.  Taking a few pictures and promoting the event during that time can attract last minute shoppers or those cruising through the neighborhood.  Instagram has a feature showing live or recent clips in the area you are in and showing up in someones feed doing something interesting may just draw in the next buyer.
  4. Prospect – Dont tell the homeowners but we all know an Open House is many times meant to find new buyers for property other then the Open House.  Thats called smart business and you should do it well.  Bring materials that can be sent with buyers about you and why they should use you.  Business cards are a must but a 1 page flyer about what makes you awesome is great to send with them.  Branded items are great too like bottled waters and fitget spinners can be worth millions.  Whatever you do don’t take from the listing directly but if they are not interested in that home, make your best effort to represent them in whatever home they do want to buy

Doing an Open House as an agent is hit or miss but the miss is the last thing I want to do if a great buyer decides to walk through.  Hold an open house regularly and do a great job at it.  Keep records and work those new contacts and agents that come through and under no circumstances fall asleep watching football.  Thanks

Curt has been in the Indianapolis Real Estate business for over 10 years and spent his first years learning all aspects of commercial management and brokerage.  He has had great success in managing existing commercial projects and new retail and office developments.  Curt specializes in building owner representation and purchases in the Westfield Indiana market as well throughout the Indianapolis Metro area.  Curt is passionate about growing the local Westfield community and in his free time  volunteers with Westfield Youth Assistance and raising 2 children with his wife Jennifer.