Open houses have long been a staple in the real estate world. While some agents think they’re too old-school and prefer to go viral on TikTok, there’s still tremendous value in hosting a well-planned open house. With the right tools and strategies, you can make your open house a lead-generating machine. Let’s dive into some updated ideas that can breathe new life into your next event.
Preparing for the Open House
Preparation is key to a successful open house. From making checklists to inviting neighbors, every detail counts. And don’t underestimate the power of door knocking; it’s an excellent way to connect with potential clients and generate leads.
Use an Open House Checklist to Stay Organized
Using a checklist is a fantastic way to keep track of tasks like home staging, social media posts, signage, and preparing handout materials. It ensures you don’t miss any critical steps, allowing you to be more relaxed and confident while mingling with guests. Feeling prepared can maximize your lead potential.
Tip: Create your own checklist for tasks before, during, and after your open house. If you’re pressed for time, check out my ready-made open house checklist.
Invest in High-quality Open House Marketing Materials
High-quality marketing materials like flyers, brochures, and signage help showcase the property effectively. They leave a lasting impression on potential buyers and reflect positively on you as an agent.
Tip: Coffee and Contracts offers various social media templates specifically designed for real estate agents. These include Instagram Reels templates, carousel posts, and more. Subscribers get fresh content each month. For more details, read our Coffee and Contracts review.
Pro Tip: Place your marketing materials next to snacks and drinks. A simple business card holder near some treats can catch potential clients’ eyes.
Knock on Doors to Invite the Neighbors
Door knocking may seem intimidating, but it’s a proven method to become the top agent in your area. Personal connections are invaluable. Statistics show that 82% of agents see an increase in business from door knocking, and 60% gain more referrals. Additionally, 25% report an uptick in listings due to these efforts.
Tip: Want more insights? Check out our detailed article on door-knocking tips and scripts that you can start using this weekend.
Greet Your Guests With Custom-branded Touches
Adding small touches like welcome signs, business card holders, and custom doormats can create a welcoming atmosphere. Branded items such as pens or notepads also provide opportunities to connect with potential buyers while reinforcing your brand.
Tip: Find custom welcome signs on Etsy or All Things Real Estate for around $20. Match the sign’s style to your listing – bold designs for modern homes and lighter ones for vintage properties.
Marketing & Branding Your Open House
Your marketing efforts play a significant role in how many people show up and how successful your open house is. From eye-catching promotional materials to effective social media strategies, good marketing can make all the difference.
Plan an Open House Day With Other Agents
Teaming up with nearby agents for a joint open house day can attract more visitors. Collaborating allows you to promote the event together and draw larger crowds, especially if the listings are similar.
Tip: When promoting group open house days, try creative ideas like raffles that require visiting every home or scavenger hunts for kids.
Hire a Photographer to Take Pictures of Buyer’s Agents & Guests
If you want other real estate agents to appreciate you, consider hiring a photographer to capture them at your open house. These photos are great for their social media and useful for your next listing presentation.
Tip: Hiring a professional photographer is always beneficial if budget allows. But if you’re doing it yourself, check out our real estate photography tips for better results.
Use QR Codes Creatively
QR codes are increasingly popular but underutilized by many agents. They offer easy ways to gather leads at open houses:
- Create an iPad sign-in station using QR codes from Curb Hero at the entrance or refreshment table.
- Create free QR codes linking to sign-in sheets using QR Code Generator.
- Create QR codes linking to virtual room slideshows and place them throughout the home with prompts like “See this room staged as a home office!”
Curb Hero offers free QR code creation tools for touchless sign-ins and more.
Enhance Your Open House With Technology
Incorporating technology into your open house can provide an engaging experience for visitors. Virtual tours, interactive floor plans, and smart home devices can make your property stand out.Livestreaming allows potential buyers to explore the property in real-time, ask questions, and get a feel for the space. Sharing these videos on Instagram and TikTok helps reach younger audiences.
- Promote your in-person open house as much as possible.
- Create social media posts advertising your virtual open house.
- Email or text announcements about your virtual event.
- Edit livestreams into short clips for Instagram Reels or TikTok videos.
Virtually Stage a Room & Offer Photos via Text
Virtual staging helps buyers envision how spaces could look with furniture and decor. It can showcase different design options and layouts:
- Email or text staged photos after showing them on an iPad during the tour.
- Create QR codes linking to virtually staged rooms with various themes printed on signs placed in each room.
If you’re looking for affordable virtual staging services, Apply Design offers options starting at $7 per picture.
Create a Branded Infographic With Neighborhood Info
An infographic detailing neighborhood amenities like schools, parks, shops, and fun facts can give potential buyers everything they need about the area:
- Create infographics using tools like Canva with free neighborhood profiles or detailed reports costing around $30 each.
Engagement & Networking
The success of an open house hinges on effective engagement and networking with visitors:
Practice Open House Scripts to Get Contacts
Smooth conversation skills are essential at an open house:
- Practicing scripts helps direct conversations toward gathering contact details instead of just making small talk about gardening!
Boost Your Open House on Hyperlocal Social Networks
Advertising on Facebook and Instagram is great for brand awareness, but it might not bring local visitors to your open house. Instead, try posting on local Facebook Groups and Nextdoor. These platforms reach a more localized audience, who are likely to be genuinely interested in attending.
Nextdoor and Facebook Groups are filled with engaged users from your neighborhood. If you offer trendy food and music, you might spark conversations about your open house without spending a dime on ads.
Host a Private Open House for Neighbors & Former Clients
Building long-term relationships with local homeowners is key to becoming the top agent in your area. Hosting a private open house for neighbors and past clients can help you achieve this. Spend a bit more on food and refreshments since you will have fewer guests. Mention this special event in your marketing materials and personally invite neighbors by knocking on doors or leaving door hangers. Call any former clients nearby and extend an invitation.
Partner With a Local Brand or Shop
Experiential marketing can create memorable experiences that people talk about. Partnering with a local brand like a boutique, restaurant, or art gallery can add excitement to your open house. These businesses might even promote your event on their social media, reaching new audiences.
Find businesses that align with your target market, define clear objectives, create engaging experiences, cross-promote the event, and show appreciation afterward. These steps can build successful partnerships and enhance your open house events.
Hold Other Agents’ Open Houses & Make It a Win-Win!
If you don’t have any listings, consider asking other agents if you can hold their open houses. This can help you build your brand in the neighborhood. To make it beneficial for the listing agent, offer to pay them a referral fee for any client you pick up from the open house.
Set Up a Financial Consultation Area
Buyers often have questions about mortgages and down payments. Having a lender at your open house can provide valuable advice to visitors. Set up the area with comfortable chairs and a desk, separate from the main space for privacy. Offer financial FAQs for buyers to take home.
Offer Neighbors Goodie Bags With Your Business Card
A private open house just for neighbors is an excellent way to connect with the community. Consider giving away goodie bags filled with neighborhood treats like candy or cupcakes, with your business card attached.
You can find cute goodie bags on Etsy that come with satin ribbons and business card holders. If you don’t have business cards ready, check out some of the best options available online.
Serve Trendy Food & Drinks That Spark Conversation
Fresh-baked cookies are always a hit, but if you want guests to mingle, consider serving trendy food and drinks like kiwi mojito mocktails or popular baked treats from the local bakery. The goal is to encourage conversations among guests, not to show off culinary skills.
Get a Junior Agent to Check In Guests While You Mingle
If you’re hosting an event with many RSVPs, it’s worth hiring a junior agent to handle check-ins. This allows you to focus on mingling with guests without getting overwhelmed by logistical tasks. Investing around $50 for someone to cover the door can make a significant difference.
Invest in a Bootie Machine
A bootie machine shows that you care about keeping the house clean for sellers while providing an extra touch of hospitality. These machines are affordable and useful for maintaining cleanliness during an open house.
Childcare Corner
Parents often find it challenging to focus during an open house while managing their kids. Setting up a play area with toys, coloring books, and kid-friendly shows can make their visit more enjoyable. Consider hiring a babysitter for young families.
Offer Custom Water Bottles Branded With Your Business Card
Custom water bottle hang tags from Etsy are an affordable way to give guests your business card creatively. Offer these branded water bottles as a refreshing takeaway item during hot days.
Raise Money for Charity at Your Open House
An open house is not just about selling homes; it’s also about making a positive impact on the community. Organize charity raffles or silent auctions during the event to raise money for good causes. You could pledge part of your commission from sales made during the event to charity or set up donation booths for visitors to contribute directly.
Give Out Small Branded Gifts as Party Favors
Offering small branded gifts like dishtowels or compact mirrors can help keep you at the top of guests’ minds after they leave the open house. Choose useful items that guests will appreciate and use regularly.
Local Art Showcase
Featuring work by local artists at your open house adds visual charm and builds community connections. Contact local artists and offer them space to display their work along with cards so visitors can learn more about them.
Contests & Giveaways
A simple contest or giveaway can boost attendance at your open house significantly. People love free stuff! Keep the contest relevant to the property or neighborhood, such as offering gift cards to local restaurants or organizing interactive activities like scavenger hunts.
Follow-up With All Guests
The follow-up is crucial after any lead generation strategy. Use predictive analytics apps like SmartZip to determine who you should follow up with and how often. SmartZip’s AI technology helps identify potential movers before they even start looking for agents.
In the end…
To make your open house stand out, use creative themes, fun activities, and offer refreshments. Personalized invites and quality marketing materials also help attract potential buyers. Open houses appeal to those looking to buy, gather home ideas, or explore the local real estate market, while also offering an opportunity to connect with agents.
To increase attendance, promote on social media, run ads, distribute flyers, and email potential buyers. Collaborating with local businesses or agents and offering snacks or giveaways can also boost interest.
Make sure the home is clean, has good curb appeal, and maximizes natural light. Highlight unique features and create a welcoming atmosphere to help buyers envision living there. These strategies ensure a successful open house that attracts buyers and builds client relationships.
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