I held my first open house this past Saturday and Sunday, although not very successful I definetly figured out what I did right and what else I needed to do for next time. This is definetly not a complete list but I made this list during my many hours of waiting for someone to show. I hope it helps someone. Feel free to add to the list. Thanks Aaron
Materials Needed
Sign In Sheet/ ink pen
Info packet
Info Box (for yard sign)
Treats
Drinks
Napkins
Directional Signs for major intersecting roads
Balloons (to connect to directional signs)
Business Cards (Lots of them)
PowerPoint Presentation of home (connect to tv if possible)
Soothing background music
Open House Advertising
Pass our flyers around the neighborhood
Mailer for surrounding communities (target rental communities)
Ad in Newspaper
Let everyone in your office know about it
Drop flyers off at other offices
Fax a flyer or email to offices you don't drop flyers off too
Things for the Homeowner to do
Clean and organize the home
Turn on A/C or Heat to comfortable temperature
Give them flyers to pass out at any organizations they are involved with
Plan an activity for the day and not be home
Aaron Poling
Long & Foster
Sounds like you are well on your way! Good list, good info, good luck!! :)
Here are a few more essentials:
Make sure your open house does not conflict with major holidays or ball games or events happening in the neighborhood.
Bring a seller and buyer contract.
A list of for sale homes in the area to show buyers in case yours does not suit their needs
Ask the seller to put away all valuables.
Bring a garbage bag, don't use the homeowner's garbage.
Directional flags (if permitted by the city)
Ask a lender to be available to prequalify buyers not yet qualified.
And make a to do list of your open house so that you do not forget to bring with you something important.
And make a do do list of your open house so that you do not forget to bring something along.
Aaron, cool idea regarding the powerpoint presentation on the TV. I never would've thought of that one!
Chanda panda
I agree with Chanda. The powerpoint on the TV is a great idea. Some of the newer TV's allow you to put a memory card in and just begin running a slidewshow. This might be a good idea as well.
Aaron, Thank you for the list. I would add trash bags because I like to take any refreshment trash with me so the homeowner does not have to do any cleaning when they get home. I assume you have a property flyer with lots of pictures in the information pack if not that is the only other thing I would add.
Take the PowerPoint presentation of the home, burn it to a CD with other information such as neighborhood information / photos, area amenities, school stats, and of course information about you. Turn it into something that looks like a web site and the people walk away with something to help them remember the home and you! A lot of the information can be linked to the Web.
Aaron, great list, but I just e-mailed you. I don't know how to hook a power point presentation to a TV, or how to turn my photos into a power point presentation. Any help would be appreciated.
Putting the PowerPoint on a dvd and distributing at the open house is a great idea. If you have a wi-fi air card, it's nice to pull up information about other homes for sale in the area. That can help break the ice with hesitant buyers who may visit.
Also, similar to Dee's suggestions, it is important to have your clients put away medication/prescription drugs in a safe place ( I recommend they take them when they leave the house). I'm sure we have all been in a situation with multiple groups come in at the same time. It can be difficult to keep tabs on all the visitors. Your sellers will appreciate you taking extra precautions and looking out for their best interest.