2 7 Ways to Help Your Open House Stand Out

BY LISA FANT

Hosting an open house can be a crucial step in selling a property. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned Realtor®, proper preparation can make things easier for you and make a lasting impression on potential buyers. Dive into these seven tips to make your open house stand out, from one-click sign-ins to planning entertainment for young guests, and more. Implementing these strategies can help you attract more potential buyers, showcase the property, and increase your chances of closing a successful sale.

The use of QR codes made a comeback during the pandemic, and still continues to be a widelyused marketing tool. Using a QR code sign-in as a touchless open house visitor registration allows for quick and easy use for the Realtor® and guests. Attendees can scan the QR code with their phone camera and enter their contact information directly into a form. Additionally, you can also create another customized code that directs attendees to the property’s listing or your website, so they have information about the property as they view it. You can create your custom QR code with these steps:

• Create a Google Form with fields for the information you want to collect such as the visitor’s name, email address, phone number, and any other relevant details.

• Create a Google Sheets spreadsheet to collect the data.

• Generate a QR code using a code generator tool that links to the Google Forms sheet URL. Many free online tools are available, such as QR Code Generator, QR Code Monkey, or Unitag.

• Create a sign-in sheet with the code prominently displayed and instructions on how to use it.

• Encourage visitors to sign in using the QR code and inform them they can also reach your website and the property listing.

• Download the data collected by the Google Forms sheet and use it to follow up with visitors.

According to the National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Staging Report, 82% of buyer’s agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as their future home. Showcasing a property in its best light is crucial to attracting potential buyers. As not all properties are staged, it can be difficult to present an appealingly inviting atmosphere for an open house in an unfurnished or uninviting space. That’s where virtual staging comes into play. Setting up a tablet station allows visitors to explore the demo throughout the event. This method helps potential buyers visualize the home’s potential while they’re physically present, increasing their interest in the property.

Bonus: If you prefer not to use a QR code, or if you’d like to provide a second option, you can also use the tablet as a digital sign-in as guests arrive. This format still allows visitors to input contact information easily and conveniently while alleviating the possibility of illegible handwriting on a traditional sign-in sheet.

If you have interested potential buyers who aren’t able to attend in person, offer a virtual option. Provide an interactive home tour with a 3D virtual walkthrough or video tour to engage visitors and give them a sense of the home’s layout and features. Share the virtually staged demo and a simplified online version of your neighborhood highlights with virtual guests. The interactive home tour can also be shared on social media.

Consider preparing informative packets for attendees as part of your open house preparations. These packets should contain basic information about the property, including square footage, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, property features, and amenities. Additionally, you can include a reference sheet with information on mortgage and financing options or any associated homeowner association fees, as well as your business card. To make the packets more visually appealing, use a photo of the home along with the address on the front cover. Consider covering the packet with clear report covers and your branding to package the information neatly. This will not only showcase your attention to detail as an agent but also make it more enticing for attendees to flip through.

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Smart home technology can be a powerful selling point as it becomes more valuable to today’s buyers. If the featured home is equipped with smart home technology, showcasing the features and how they work is a great way to demonstrate the convenience and appeal to potential buyers. Start by familiarizing yourself with the smart home features of the property. Features may include such as a smart thermostat, automated lighting, or a voice-activated virtual assistant. Once you’re comfortable with how the features work, prepare a demo highlighting how they can be used.

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An open house may not seem like the most child-friendly activity, but when guests bring their little ones, having a form of entertainment to keep them occupied while the adults tour the home can be helpful to everyone. Consider these activities children will enjoy:

• Printable activity sheets

• Scavenger hunt

• Mess-free snacks

• Outdoor activities (bean bag toss, ring toss, sidewalk chalk, bubbles)