My Open Houses here in St. louis, Mo have been very slow throughout the summer and during this "slow down crunch. Instead of complaining as we hear so many of our fellow practitioners doing, I decided to become pro-active.

I'm happy to say that my Open House visitor traffic is way up, even on the warmest of days. How you may ask?

Lots of Signs

Where I use to run single signs from each turn, now I place multiple signs starting from the main turn off, at each corner and along the route. Sometimes I have as many as 20 signs out.

Announce Open Early

Both in front of the house and at the entrance or corner of the subdivision

No More Balloons

I purchased car lot flags. (100 feet long) In Red White and Blue and some of the shiny silver ones.I've cut those into 5 foot sections, attached a clip on one end and tied an open knot on the other. Then hook the clip at the top of the sign and install a tent stake into the open end knot. ( Don't drive all the way into the ground) At the main sign at the busiest corner up to 4 lines are installed. At additional corners at least 2 lines are installed. In front of the house I take a 50 foot section from the sign in the yard to the mailbox. As visitors enter I ask what bought them to my Open House today and over 75% say I saw your flags.

Rider Signs

Signs placed along the route may say things like 4 bedroom, pool, finished lower level, large yard, new systems, lots of upgrades, new carpet, closing cost assistance. My Open House Signs are 30 x 24, I attach these rider signs onto the top of those. They are 30 x 10 white with red lettering. I went to a local sign maker and had these made, very inexpensive, but effective. It's just another way to get attention focused on my Open House.

Sundays No More

Folks are just too busy anymore to come out on a Sunday afternoon to house hunt. So my Opens are done on weekdays, at all different times of the day. my sellers appreciate not having to leave on a Sunday afternoon and visitors really enjoy stopping by. Times are scheduled according to the type of house and it's location. I might do a downtown loft/apartment at lunchtime, posting announcement flyer's on the community board or dropping one off to the front desk of neighboring business/offices. I've had success with late morning, early evening and lunch times.

A lot of visitors walk in, tour the property and ask plenty of questions, they're not in a hurry to go see 3 or 4 other Opens in the neighborhood and really appreciate the opportunity to look at an Open House on their schedule.

I've been experimenting with battery powered spotlights to use after daylight savings time ends.Open Houses are fun again. Lot's of traffic, lots of prospects and my sellers properties are seen by lots of buyers.