Although some believe holding an Open House is key to a home sale, in reality, it is just one component in an overall sales/marketing plan and system. While almost all real estate agents hold these events, the value of the events often differs substantially depending on how they are used and conducted. With that in mind, this article will briefly try to consider, examine, revise and discuss 5 extremely important key steps to make them as successful as they could be. Unless/until they are done effectively and efficiently, there is a risk that they will be wasted in terms of time, money, effort, energy and potential results.
1. Marketing/promotion: The best results come from determining the best approach/way to market and promote them. What advertising mediums might make the most sense for this particular property? Because you believe that? How will you get the most out of your money? Start by identifying the niche, if any, that this home and property best fits into, and then research the best options to attract the right, qualified potential buyers. While everyone wants a large crowd to draw to their Open House, unless they are efficiently real buyers, rather than house hunters, you probably won’t achieve the most desirable goal!
two. Greeting/welcome: You only get one chance, to make a first impression. This adage is true, both for the house/property itself, in terms of curb appeal, staging, odor/clutter removal, and other negatives. It’s also true about the agent driving it, and how he greets and meets people at the door, whether they feel welcome and appreciated, and directs them forward.
3. Log in: You won’t be able to track, effectively, until you get as much information as possible about all the attendees. While I prefer them to log in via a digital tablet, at the very least, it’s very important. at least have them do it manually. How can you keep track if you don’t have this? When you use a digital program/app, you can streamline the process by automatically transmitting follow-up emails immediately.
Four. Show/Questions and Answers: How well you show off the house often depends on how comfortably you welcome and encourage questions, with genuine empathy, and the thoroughness of your answers.
5. Follow up: A real estate agent should consider an Open House, both as a marketing for the house in question, and for you, as an agent. Will you stand out from the crowd, be proactive, etc.? Take the opportunity both to follow up on the sale of this property and to make appointments to show other houses to those who are not so interested in this one.
Open houses require a lot of care, attention, time, effort and expense. Doesn’t it make sense to get them, get the most money?