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Open House Essentials

By
Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster

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

www.aaronpolingsblog.com

www.aaronpoling.com

 

 

Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Sounds like you are well on your way!  Good list, good info, good luck!!  :)

May 18, 2009 11:18 AM
Dee Mayers
Covina, CA
San Gabriel Valley, CA

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.

May 18, 2009 11:45 AM
Chanda Barrick
Keller Williams Indy Metro Northeast - Indianapolis, IN
in referral

Aaron, cool idea regarding the powerpoint presentation on the TV.  I never would've thought of that one!

Chanda panda

May 18, 2009 12:42 PM
Chad Janusa, MBA - New Orleans Real Estate
Metairie, LA

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.

May 18, 2009 01:35 PM
Maggie McFarland
RE/MAX Pearland - Maggie McFarland - Pearland, TX
Pearland Realtor, Homes for Sale in Pearland Texas

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.

May 18, 2009 03:22 PM
Billie Hillier
http://702IsHome.com - North Las Vegas, NV
Savvy Home Realty Solutions

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.

May 23, 2009 04:23 AM
Susan Romanello
A1A Realty & Development Inc - Palm Coast, FL

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.

Jun 29, 2009 05:17 AM
Will Goodson
Sheffield Properties/Private Label Realty - Austin, TX

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.

Aug 25, 2009 07:48 AM