For FSBOs who may not have the time or flexibility to take appointments throughout the week and conduct private tours, the open house may be the only option to get potential buyers through the door.
The solution?
Organize an open house on your own! It’s a lot easier than you think if you follow these six steps:
1. Conduct a Competitor Analysis
Look around your neighborhood and adjacent regions for open homes. Study the staging of other properties and pay attention to what the real estate brokers managing those homes have to say. Take note of the characteristics they mention; they know what today’s buyers are looking for.
Also, observe consumers’ responses as you make your way through.
2. Create a Property Description Sheet
Real estate brokers give attendees at open houses property description papers. You ought to do so too. Make a list of the following details.
- Property’s postal code
- Requested price
- Information about how to reach you (including a URL to your Web site or online ad)
- Photos of the outside and inside
- HOA or HOA maintenance costs (if applicable)
- Taxes on property
- The total amount of space
- Room count (number of bathrooms, dining rooms, study, etc.
- Appliances included in the package
- Outdoor area
- Are there any extras? (fireplace, finished basement, etc.)
- The most recent changes you made
- Amenities in the neighborhood (shopping, recreation, freeways, public transportation, etc.)
For a basic and straightforward flyer, you may use Microsoft Word. Don’t forget to print plenty of copies.
However, it’s become a lot more common and acceptable to host a Virtual Property Hosting due to social distancing. It’s also convenient for people who can’t make it to your open house.
3. Get the House Ready and Stage It
When preparing a property for sale, the term “staging” is used to describe the process of cleaning and de-cluttering the house or apartment.
We recommend following staging rules closely to make a great impression.
Remember these rules:
- You must keep your home clean and clutter-free at all times. Offers are made on model homes. Dirty properties attract lowball bids or no offers at all.
- Based on what purchasers are looking for and what’s typical in your community, you may make a few upgrades to the property.
- Every area may benefit from strategically placing furniture. Place furniture in each area in such a way that it creates the illusion of more space.
4. Get the Word Out
Agents that are at the top of their game use their broad networks to find prospective buyers and get them into the homes of their clients. If you don’t have a lot of connections, it might be difficult to get the word out about your open house.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Tell your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers that you’re selling your house. Use all means of communication, including phone, email, postcards, and so on.
- Make use of your existing social networks, such as those at your school, church, or other local gathering places, as well as internet platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
- Put a “for sale” sign and flyer holder in your front yard that is both professionally printed so that anyone passing by may pick up a property description sheet.
- Create a website to advertise the sale of your home. Craigslist.org, FSBO assistance sites, and your local newspaper and community websites are all good places to put your ad.
- Post fliers in public areas, including grocery shops, gyms, and places of employment.
- Use high-quality images of both the inside and outside of your business to promote your products and services.
- Video tour your home and post it on YouTube, Vimeo, etc., or you may host a virtual viewing.
- Use the local Multiple Listing Service to promote your business (MLS).
- Place signage directing visitors to your home on the day of the open house.
5. Be Hospitable
When you’re an FSBO, buyers expect to deal directly with you rather than a real estate agent during an open house. Maintaining a professional demeanor and allowing them to explore the area on their own are the keys. Also:
- Consider leaving your pets with a friend or boarding facility for the day if you have any.
- Safeguard all of your personal belongings and medication.
- Organize a sign-in sheet for attendees to fill out their personal information.
- Greet each visitor with a warm smile, provide them with a property document, and point out the most appealing characteristics of the residence.
- Allow visitors to explore the house at their own pace and be available to answer any queries.
- You should get comments from each guest, including their degree of interest in the property, comparable properties they’ve visited, and how much the home costs in comparison.
- Cookies and bottled water can be provided as small snacks.
Send a “Thank You” email to everyone who came to the open house the day after and include a link to your website or online advertisement(s).
Within the next week, phone each person and inquire as to whether or not they have any questions regarding the house and whether or not they are interested in purchasing it. Ask if they have any ideas for making the house more appealing to prospective purchasers if they decide not to buy it.
