10 Steps to a Successful Open House

Hi all......with so much knowledge and experience on this site, I surely don't intend to re-invent the wheel.

But maybe you'll find a suggestion or two that you can make your own! And of course comments are welcome! [I apologize in advance that the font is too big!]

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables /> <w:SnapToGridInCell /> <w:WrapTextWithPunct /> <w:UseAsianBreakRules /> <w:UseFELayout /> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;} @font-face {font-family:SimSun; panose-1:2 1 6 0 3 1 1 1 1 1; mso-font-alt:宋体; mso-font-charset:134; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 135135232 16 0 262145 0;} @font-face {font-family:"\@SimSun"; panose-1:2 1 6 0 3 1 1 1 1 1; mso-font-charset:134; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 135135232 16 0 262145 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:SimSun;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:735202031; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:-1375984506 67698703 -1695907250 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l0:level2 {mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]-->

1. The house should be pristine…give homeowners a list of items to check before the big day. Visitors will notice the smallest details.
2. Several days ahead, mail out advertising flyers to other households in the neighborhood; advertise the open house notice everywhere you can….newspapers, online, bulletin boards, riders etc.
3. On the day of, put two frames on the property and also at nearby intersections; balloons will make them more noticeable.
4. Stage the house anytime of year with light music and apple juice/cinnamon sticks simmering on the stove.
5. Greet visitors with enthusiasm….and qualify by asking “How long have you folks been looking for a home?”[ you’ll find out which ones are seriously interested in this home or other homes.]
6. Serve coffee and cookies…..the aroma of freshly-made coffee and cookies [the slice ‘n’ bake type] create a pleasant ambiance as well as give you  an opportunity to chat with serious buyers. [a good time to ask if they are working with an agent.]
7. Have packets prepared for each guest with about 10 other area listings of similar properties…and include a map, with numbers showing the locations of those listings. Naturally it should promote ‘brand [you]’.
8. Are you ready for this one??.....consider using a gimmick….my broker uses a ceramic talking frog on the doorstep with a taped message, set off by sensors. [I’m not kidding! ] This serves two purposes…..visitors will enter the home grinning and people will remember you for your uniqueness. Don’t worry….when you get to the close, they will see that you can be serious too. Since this is a bit over the top, you have to know your neighborhood culture as well as your own comfort level! But the point is….don’t be afraid to put yourself out there……don’t be passive! Pay a visit to your local novelty shop.
9. Never ask “what did you think”…too vague …and visitors will respond in a way that is just as vague.. Recently I asked “what do you think of the price” which is much more specific and then I was able to give my homeowners the feedback that respondents thought the property was over-priced. You’re working for free if you have an over-priced home, longterm. [BTW, the homeowners did reduce the price.]
10. Go for the close…..have documents with you….and at the very least get contact information by explaining the advantages of working with a realtor, such as:
    1. the seller is going to pay the commission, so take the opportunity to use the services of a buyer’s agent.
    2. realtors have access to mls listings before others do, so clients will have the ‘scoop’ with such applications as ‘prospector’ et al

PS….Enjoy the process…but remember you are ‘on stage’ and will feel exhausted at the end of the Open House, which incidentally should go 15 minutes beyond,  for those late-comers. It’s a curiosity of human nature that folks are prone to do that. ;-)