Today I went to the Keller Williams NW office to attend an Open House class instructed by Donna Andruk. Donna has been an agent for five years and has a really strong record of residential home sales. Donna’s business has been focused on using the open house strategy to promote sales and find buyers.
Open Houses help the seller by promoting their property through online advertising, signs in the neighborhood, flyers, and in-person tours.
Online Open House Advertising
Online Open House Advertising can take many forms. The most important is in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The MLS is a computer system licensed Realtors can use to advertise their listing to other Realtors. But, some of the information from the MLS is publicly available and it’s distributed through websites like Zillow, Trulia, and others. I provide that public information on my website: http://www.homes4saleroundrock.com/central-texas-home-search/. Almost all these home search websites prominently display Open Houses as one of their search criteria so it boosts the property’s visibility online.
Social Media Advertising
Social media is another way to reach home buyers. The Open House event creates great opportunities to share photos and videos on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and NextDoor.
Directional Signs and Flyers
Directional Signs and Flyers can boost the home’s visibility in the neighborhood. Any potential buyers or neighbors who may know buyers will see the signs or flyers that have been distributed door-to-door.
Prepare Your Home for an Open House
If you’re still living in your home during the sales process, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
- Remove clutter – Home buyers want to see a large, open space. If you have too much furniture or too many paintings on the walls or knick-knacks on the counters – it will look like there’s less space than there really is.
- Depersonalize – Home buyers need to imagine living in the house themselves. Family photos and other personal items can distract and turn-off buyers. It’s also best to maintain your privacy.
- Hide Jewelry, Prescription Drugs, and any Valuables. Realtors do their best to ensure the safety and security of the open house, but there are people who will seek to take advantage of the situation. Valuable items, drugs, firearms need to be out of sight and stored securely.
Find a Home Buyer
Find a Home Buyer while they’re still early in the home search. Many home buyers who don’t have a Realtor respond to open house advertising because it’s their only opportunity to enter the home. Your house will be among the first houses they see.
