The #1 Open House Checklist Top Agents Use to Get Amazing Results
SOURCE: The Close
One of the most common myths Realtors still cling to in 2023 is that open houses are a waste of time. While a poorly planned and run open house can indeed be a waste of time, a well-planned one that follows the steps in our open house checklist can help you double or even triple the number of leads you get.
To get you started, we worked with our team of real estate coaches and agents to put together the ultimate open house checklist. We also include important tips for each step, as well as links to deep-dive articles to learn more about open house apps, boosting your Facebook posts, and even scripts and icebreakers to use at your next open house.
Before Your Open House
1. Consider Professional Staging
You only get one chance to make a first impression. If your new listing needs a little extra pizazz, consider hiring a professional staging company to make the most of your client’s existing decor, or spice it up to help your listing pop. And if your listing is vacant, adding a few things to give context to the space is essential to attract the perfect buyers.
2. Get Pro Photography
Now that you’ve got the place looking super-fly, it’s time for some photography. Word of warning—don’t skimp on the pictures! You’re about to post this listing for everyone to view and you want these pictures to draw in potential buyers to your upcoming open house. Be sure to hire a professional to get the job done. Or, if you DIY, at least check out our tips to make sure buyers stop scrolling through Zillow to add your open house to their calendar.
3. Boost Your Open House Post on Facebook
Since the vast majority of your potential open house guests are doing their house hunting online, boosting a Facebook post to announce your open house can work wonders. Just make sure to design an ad that cuts through the noise on Facebook.
4. Decide Which Food & Drinks You Want to Serve
Believe it or not, the refreshments you serve at your open house can have a big impact on how you are perceived as an agent. Remember, most of your guests don’t know you. That means they will be judging you on everything, food included!
If you’re ordering food for your open house, make sure you give the restaurant or caterer enough time to prepare it. Two days before the open house should be enough lead time in most cases, but call ahead to make sure. If you’re making refreshments on your own, shopping and preparing a few days before couldn’t hurt.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on open house offerings, but you should make an effort.
5. Send an Email Blast or Newsletter Reminder
You worked hard to build your email list, and now is the time to use it. You can include your open house announcement in your weekly newsletter, or better yet, send out a dedicated email blast if you think the house is a good deal or it offers something curious neighbors might want to see.
6. Post Your Open House on Zillow & Realtor.com
Of course, not all your potential guests will be on your email list, but if they’re looking to buy, they will be scrolling Zillow and realtor.com. Zillow has a dedicated setting to schedule open houses. You need to make sure to schedule it early, but not too early. Four days or so before your open house should do the trick.
7. Text Buyers You’re Already Working With
If you’re working with buyers, send them a quick text to announce the open house. It might not be the perfect home for them, but it gives you another chance to connect and will show them you’re working hard for your seller client.
8. Text Your Seller a Checklist to Prepare the Home
You also need to give your seller time to prepare for the open house. They might need to clean a bit, hide valuables, or make arrangements for pets. If you really want to go the extra mile, offer to send them a house cleaner to do the work for them. They will likely refuse, but it’s the thought that counts!
Two Days Before Your Open House
9. Post an Instagram Reel Preview Announcement
Since your Facebook post is already boosted, take a few minutes to put together a quick Reel to announce the open house to your Instagram followers. It doesn’t have to be Hollywood quality, but it should tell them the date, time, and address, and maybe include a sneak peek of the home. You can shoot and edit this in advance, posting two days before the open house.
10. Do Some Circle Prospecting
Agents are terrified to get out and knock on doors. But circle prospecting will build rapport with the neighborhood around your listing and boost the likelihood of scoring another client. Get out there and knock on those doors, personally invite the neighbors to the open house, then follow up with the results with a Just Sold postcard after you close.
11. Review Your Open House Scripts & Icebreakers
If you’re a new agent or haven’t held an open house in a while, freshen up on your open house scripts and icebreakers so you don’t stumble on the big day. You want to be loose and spontaneous, but having some snappy phrases in your arsenal can’t hurt!
12. Add Your Open House Sign Rider
If you have a sign rider, installing it a bit early might alert the neighbors and those driving by that they can finally come see the home without an appointment.
13. Print Out Your Sign-in Sheets or Set Up Your App
It also helps to print out your sign-in sheets a few days before your open house. The last thing you want is to have a printer malfunction or discover you’re low on ink the morning of your open house. Ask me how I know!
By the way, printing your open house sign-in sheets is so 2020. Savvy agents are stepping up their open house game with apps like Curb Hero, which feeds leads directly to thousands of customer relationship managers (CRMs) to help you stay on top of your potential new clients with ease.
SOURCE: The Close
