Holding an Open House - tips and advice on how to hold an open house

Presenting an open house to the public might seem like a difficult task especially if you have never done it before. However, it really is not so difficult to do as long as you know what to expect and what is expected. The following tips on holding an open house will help you prepare and just might bring in that buyer you have been looking for.

Common Questions About How to Hold an Open House

The first question you may be asking is when to hold an open house? The open house should be held when the maximum number of people are available to view it. Holding an open house on Sunday afternoon from 2-5 pm will result in more visitors and prospects for your real estate. Mid afternoon is the perfect time because church goers have had time to get home and have lunch and everyone else usually has free time on Sunday afternoons. Plus, it is a real estate tradition for an open house to be held on Sunday so you don’t want to change tradition!

Another common question is how the home should be prepared? Presenting an open house is just that, presenting your house to the public, so you want it to be welcoming and inviting as well as clean. Make sure you lock up all of your valuables and anything else important like documents and prescriptions. You may even consider making your home look more generic by removing personal photos so others can imagine it as “their” home rather than your home.

Home owners wonder about their landscaping and repairs as well when they are planning an open house. The yard should be immaculate and as well landscaped as possible. A quick coat of paint on the door and elimination of all clutter can make your house more appealing. If your home is clean and organized people will be able to imagine themselves living there much better than if the home is dirty, cluttered, and run down. Don’t underestimate what cleaning and organizing your home can do for you.

Have Information About the Property Readily Available

You may have all the information in your head about the annual taxes, square footage, fees, and when the new roof was put on, but you want to be able to easily relay all this information to your guests.

When having an open house you may find yourself involved in deep conversation with a prospect so it is important to make this information available to other visitors without you necessarily having to speak with them. A good idea is to have a handout that states all the information that potential buyers would be interested in knowing. Make the other side of the handout a “notes” side so visitors can write down things about the home. Leave out mini pencils as well so people won’t be asking you to borrow a pen.

Brainstorm about the different things people would be interested in knowing about your real estate beside the obvious. Good information to address includes schools, highways, and any of your personal favorite aspects of your piece of real estate. If you like it others might, too!

Be Prepared to Make a Sale

Finally, you should always be prepared to bargain in case a serious prospect shows up. Know how much you are asking for your home, how low you are willing to go, and stick to your guns. Not all open houses result in negotiations, but you should be prepared just in case. This is not necessary if you are holding an open house with your real estate agent, but if you are having the open house on your own it should definitely be kept in mind.

Making an Offer on a Home

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