An open house is part of a successful home-selling strategy, but there are a few ways to prepare before you open the door to home buyers. As important as knowing what you should do are the things you shouldn’t do. An oopsie can send home buyers running no matter how perfectly staged or your updated home is.
Open houses are most effective when the market is slower and they’re hosted on non-holiday weekends. While virtual tours have gained popularity in recent years, many buyers still pursue a traditional open house before making an offer.
But what are some don'ts for your open house?
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1) Don't attend your open house.
If you hire a real estate agent to sell your home, don’t show up. Curb your curiosity, and let them do the work with potential home buyers.
If you choose to do a For Sale By Owner (FSBO), keep your demeanor professional and make yourself scarce. It can be hard to hear criticism of your beloved home, but critiquing is part of buyers envisioning the home as their own.
A seller who is present for an open house often makes buyers uncomfortable. They want to explore, test windows, peek in closets, and ask questions; they won’t engage if a homeowner is hovering. Choose to use a real estate agent or a trusted friend to host for you.
2) Don't ignore the power of marketing.
Getting potential buyers in the door is the key to a successful open house. Without proper marketing, the buyer is less likely to make it to your event and take the next step.
Social media proves itself a powerful and free tool for marketing property time and time again.
Social Media Outlets to Consider
- Facebook. While useful for reaching friends, especially military friends near and far, posting in a local group associated with your current duty station gets the word out quickly. Larger groups for military spouses may reach others moving to your area.
- Nextdoor. No one’s more invested in who’s buying your home than your neighbors. They want to ensure that quality people move in, and will likely share your listing with their group of interested friends.
- MilitaryByOwner. Add your open house to your MilitaryByOwner listing for house hunters to see.
Yard and street signs can help buyers find your property in two ways: they may attend the scheduled open house, or the signs will signal them to connect with their agent to schedule a private showing.
Photo from Canva
3) Don't overlook the importance of curb appeal and staging.
Ask any branding expert, and they’ll tell you people buy products based on emotions. The last thing you want is for prospective buyers to associate your home with unattractive sights, sounds, or smells.
Exterior
The exterior of your home must be inviting and have strong curb appeal.
Tidy the yard, front porch, and landscaping. You can boost how welcoming your door appears by adding a wreath, a potted plant, and a cheerful doormat. A charming front door paint color guarantees interest in the home's interior.
A couple of balloons tied to your mailbox helps prospective buyers feel comfortable approaching your home. The balloons say, "Yes, this is an event, and you are welcome!"
Interior
Be mindful of overpowering scents in the home as they deter potential buyers.
Bathroom: Although a clean, fresh bathroom is ideal for an open house, overpowering bleach fumes are a sure turn-off, especially if the buyer connects the smell with a negative memory or interaction. It's safer to use soft citrus or lavender scents.
Kitchen: Freshly baked cookies and bread directly from the oven are classic staging tips that keep buyers lingering in the home. Remember, the longer buyers roam, the more details they’ll keep in mind for later.
Lighting: People associate a dark house with dinge and dirt. Turning on lights and opening window coverings ushers light and spaciousness to the forefront and increases the buyer's interest in the entire property.
Pets: Plan in advance for pets to be away from the home during an open house.
Photo from Canva
4) Don't expect to sell your home in one day.
Just because you’re hosting an open house doesn’t mean that you’ll sell your home by the end of the day. Several variables are required to produce a quick sale: accurate pricing, intense marketing, and a lucky stroke of timing.
You might receive an attractive offer immediately after the open house. However it’s unlikely that the prospective buyer has the necessary documentation to confirm that they are a qualified, pre-approved buyer with the ability to acquire a mortgage. Some buyers might even be confused by a pre-qualification letter vs. a pre-approval authorization.
5) Don’t leave valuables and personal items exposed.
Although your open house guests may be your near and far neighbors, you don’t know who’s touring your property, especially if crowd momentum picks up and you become distracted. Chances are, they are interested, eager, qualified buyers, but you need to prepare for those who aren’t.
Criminals view an open house as an invitation to scope out a property for a large-ticket item, with intentions to return when the home is unoccupied, while others commit crimes of opportunity. They’ll swipe prescription drugs, jewelry, phones, and other electronics if they're left unattended
An open house is the opportunity to get buyers in the door and bring your online listing to life. It’s often the chance potential buyers need to excite them into making an offer and get your sale moving. Prepare early and avoid these “don’ts” as you plan your successful open house.
Need more tips for your open house?
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