An open house is a great way to showcase your home for sale to potential buyers. A successful open house is one that helps you to bring several concrete offers for your house for sale. Below are some guidelines to help you successfully plan your next open house event;
Time Your Event Right: The time for your open house event should not be unrealistic. Set a time that you can keep up with, and that is also convenient for people to come. Weekends are the best times for open houses or evenings on a weekday. Look at the weather forecast for that day and make sure poor weather will not disrupt your open house event.
Set a Budget: Have a realistic budget for your open house. Are you considering showcasing a fully staged home, or an empty house? What refreshments are you providing for guests? Have some money ready as a precaution in case something entirely out of the blue occurs that you have to handle.
Clear away clutter: You may choose to stage your home to look as naturally lived in as possible. However, you should also get rid of all the clutter around the house. Setting a house up typically helps to make the potential buyers feel comfortable so you should make it as convenient and organized as possible.
Get Professional Help: There's no doubt that there's got to be food, beverages, and entertainment. Instead of insisting on cooking yourself, you can order the food to be delivered before your guests arrive.
Get the word out! You may need to send many invites in the form of cards, emails and even set reminders via social media. You can also invite neighbors and friends through Facebook and other social media channels.
Plan for Safety: Most open house events last for two hours or so. Ensuring the utmost safety during an open house is very important since a lot of people, including strangers, would be in attendance. This may involve taking a look at your insurance policy to see what it covers, keeping valuables out of reach, and informing your neighbors about your event. You can have an assistant at the open house to help you stay with people as they move around the home.
Ready to get started? Speak to a real estate agent about planning a successful open house today.
About the Author
Jodie Franklin
I love helping people find their dream home or sell their house in order to achieve their next goals. I have been working hard for my clients for over 18 years throughout southeast Michigan. I have experienced every kind of transaction there is.
Helping my community and being involved is extremely important to me. I am Past President of the Michigan Ability Partners board, which helps Veterans and people with disabilities reach independent, self-supported, and satisfying lives. I have also been a member of the City of Milan Tax Review Board and Zoning Board, and involved in Milan Main Street. I have been a major sponsor of events for Michigan Ability Partners, Aid in Milan, Milan Main Street, and many more organizations that work to make our communities better.
I was 2018 President of the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors, Realtor of the year in 2016 for AAABOR and nominee for Michigan Realtor of the Year. I serve on many committees with the local board, state board and was a member of the Housing Opportunity Committee for the National Association of Realtors (2018-19). I am currently serving my second term as a Michigan Realtors Board of Directors.
I have liked in Milan for over 20 years and enjoy living here with my husband Cliff, son Evan, and dog Rosie.