Sell

Make Your Open House Stand Out

Author: Mlive | December 17, 2019

Hosting a Successful Open House

Getting great offers takes a lot of work, from crafting an enticing listing and taking quality photos to showing your home. Open houses are another important part of the selling process, and you may wonder how you’ll host a successful one without help from a real estate agent. The good news is with a little effort and the right strategy, anyone can host the kind of open house that generates offers and prompts a quick sale. Check out a few open house tips from Get Movin Realty to begin planning yours today.

Borrow Some Ideas

You're not the only one in town selling their home, so it's important to know who you're up against and what they are emphasizing about their homes. Check out some local homes for sale and take note of what real estate agents call attention to as you walk through. If you're attending an open house, ask other visitors what they find most appealing about the home and/or the tour. This should help you get a good idea of how to present your home when you put on your own open house. At the same time, look for features your home offers that set it apart, and be sure to highlight them at your event.

Get Down to Details

While you'll be able to explain a lot in person, it's important that you recognize and call attention to your home's important details on paper as well. You'll want to fill out a property description sheet and make plenty of copies for all who walk through the door.

Property description sheets offer up critical home details, like address, asking price, square footage, photos, real estate taxes, and school information. You should add a brief description of the home as well, pointing out any recent updates, appliances that are included, and unique amenities that will draw attention.

Advertise

You don't need to take out a full-page ad to spread the word about your home. First, talk to friends, family, and coworkers to have them speak with any potential buyers they know. Using social media is another free resource that can yield great results. You can advertise on Craigslist and other community sites, or even get your listing printed in the local newspaper to reach a wider audience.

Set the Stage

Now that you've created buzz, you'll need to prepare your home. You'll obviously want to make things neat and organized, but it's also important to remove as many personal items as possible. It is easier for potential buyers to imagine the home as their own without family photos and keepsakes on display.

Some homeowners prefer to use a professional interior designer or home stager to ready their home for showings and open houses. If that’s not in your budget, you’ll find plenty of tips in our prep and showing guide.

It's a good idea to have snacks and refreshments nearby to welcome visitors. You'll also want to have a sign-in sheet so you know who showed interest and how many visitors you had. Be sure to ask for e-mail addresses or phone numbers so you can follow up with them in the coming days. Asking for feedback can also help you adapt your selling strategy should you need to host another open house.

Reach Out to Get Movin Realty

You don’t need a real estate agent to host a great open house, just like you won’t need one to generate quality offers and sell your home. If you’re ready to learn more about selling your property without paying hefty commissions, contact Get Movin Realty today. We provide the tools you need to sell your home on your own terms. For more helpful tips, check out our Seller’s Guide today.