Hosting an awesome open house is a great way to get more potential buyers in front of the home you’re trying to sell. Here are some effective open house ideas for real estate agents and homeowners who want to sell a house quickly.
1) Real Estate Open House Marketing: Spread the Word
First, people need to know about your open house to attend it. Beyond the MLS, social media can help you reach hundreds–if not thousands–of people in a short time.
- 1-3 Days Before the Open House: Create an Open House video with your professional pictures or videos (good realtors like those at Shine will only use professional pictures for their listings!) Hopefully, a few people from your real estate team and friends/family will share your video too.
- Share the open house video and details via email and/or text too! Not everyone is on social media, and depending on the algorithm, people may not see it until after the event.
- Shortly Before the Open House: Share a reminder video with your own walkthrough and favorite features of the home.
- Set up Open House signs (balloons optional) if you have them to catch those people who happen to be in the area and visually remind those who forgot to put it on their calendar.
- During the Open House: Share a quick Live video or Story inviting people to attend your Open House, including a shot of your treats or swag. Texting or emailing a last-minute reminder is another way to get the word out.
These simple open house marketing ideas can boost interest in the home you’re trying to sell and encourage more buyers to come check it out.
2) Create a Welcoming Atmosphere at Your Open House
First impressions matter, so having a welcoming entrance is a great first step. Clear outdoor and indoor clutter, so your open house visitors focus on the home and have a positive first impression.
Ways to create a welcoming Open House atmosphere:
- Clear weeds, garbage, or any clutter from the front of the house
- Add a fresh welcome mat, wreath, or potted plant near the front door
- Use essential oils or some other light, welcoming scent (see below)
- Set up a welcome and information table (see below)
- SMILE and greet everyone!
- Don’t be pushy, but make yourself available and ask what questions visitors have after viewing the home (If you don’t know the answer, make sure you have their contact information and get back to them if it’s information you can find out.)
3) Scents that Sell (and ones that don’t!)
Cigarette smoke, dirty litter boxes, and burnt food are not going to help give your open house the atmosphere you’re looking for. Instead, opt for some of these scents that sell:
- Citrus, such as orange or lemon
- Cinnamon and apple
- Vanilla
- Pine or cedar
You can use essential oils, candle warmers, reed diffusers, or fresh flowers to give your open house a pleasant aroma for your guests.
Related: Check out our Staging Checklist and Guide to Stage a House While Living In It for more tips for selling your house.
4) Set Up a Welcome Table
On your welcome table, you should have the information buyers will find helpful:
- MLS Listing Information Sheet
- Summary of Home Updates
- Financing Options from a Trusted Local Mortgage Lender
- Your Real Estate Business Cards
- Sign In Sheet & Pen (or electronic version)
If you’re part of a real estate team that has coordinated multiple open houses at the same time and in the same area, consider having information for other Open Houses in the area.
For realtors who want to gift something to those who show up (like many top real estate agents in Wisconsin), offer free branded swag, a raffle drawing, food and beverages.
You also could partner with a local company to create a really memorable experience for guests.
5) Real Estate Open House Snacks & Food Ideas
Having snacks at your open house can enhance the welcoming home atmosphere. Mingling over snacks allows for natural conversation between the hosting real estate agent and potential buyers that just might lead to an offer.
Here’s a cute Farmhouse Open House set up for farmhouse listed by Allie Beirl. Allie set out:
- classic Wisconsin cheese, sausage, and crackers tray
- muffins
- cookies
- popcorn
- bottled water
- juice
- adult beverages
This seems obvious, but go with snacks that won’t be messy. Packaged snacks or cookies from a local bakery are ideas that are sure to please your open house guests.
6) Childcare Corner
Looking at houses with little children can be a big challenge for parents. Consider setting up a childcare corner at your open house to make parents’ experience more enjoyable.
A few books, quiet toys, a coloring book, or a tablet with child-friendly shows is a great open house idea if you’re comfortable with kids (or can bring along someone who is).
Some of our Shine agents have brought custom coloring books made by a local business owner or coloring pages from our Shine Kids Page to open houses when families were expected. *Agents must be willing to monitor crayon use so kids keep the crayons on the paper!*
