As a real estate agent, you either love them or you hate them.  You either approach them with the enthusiasm generally reserved for a colonoscopy or you plan them with the zest of throwing your child’s first birthday party.  Of course, I’m referring to the Open House. 

The attitude you approach them with is often directly reflective of how successful they are going to be.  If you’re just going through the motions to make your client happy the outcome will likely be dismal and unproductive.  However, if you can muster some enthusiasm and plan appropriately you might be surprised.  Let’s face it, there are some agents in the field that have managed to turn the Open House event into a very lucrative part of their business and generate a great deal of business from them.

The preparation for a successful Open House employs many of the same “to-do” items needed to prepare a house for listing and subsequent showings for potential buyers.  Hopefully your sellers have already completed much of this list by the time your Open House has arrived.  If not, this event will provide you additional leverage to get them to finish the needed tasks. 

Here are the recommendations I use and provide to my own clients:

Interior Considerations

1. Thoroughly Clean the House – above anything else on this list, this is a non-negotiable must! Don’t waste your time or the time of those that visit your Open House by showing a messy home.

2. De-clutter all counter and tabletops throughout the home.

3. Secure valuables, medications, guns, money, mail, etc.

4. Hide all personal items in covered/closed areas where buyers will not be looking.

5. Empty all trash receptacles.

6. Minimize family photos, knickknacks, refrigerator magnets (again, depersonalize the home).

7. Clean bathroom completely – ensure bathroom is clean, fresh smelling, free of personal care products, toilet seat is down.  Consider the appearance of a nice hotel bathroom when preparing for a showing or Open house.

8. Pet Considerations – remove pets and all evidence of them.  Sorry pet owners!  As much as you love your pets many others will not.  Allergy suffers and those that dislike pets may instantly remove your home from purchase consideration based on the presence of pets in the home.

9. Put all toys away.

10. Ensure the home is free of trip hazards.

11. Scent – the smell of the house should always be inviting, consider baking cookies or a cake, utilize scented candles, etc.

12. Insure all lights are turned on and that all light bulbs are in working order.  Lighting is important for home showing so open curtains and let the sun shine in!

13. Set thermostat at a seasonal comfortable level and consider opening windows if outside temperatures permit.

14. Set the mood with soothing music.

15. Provide drinks and snacks.

16. If this is a “no shoes allowed” home, insure there is adequate seating to remove and replace shoes and an area to store shoes.  Also consider providing shoe covers as an option.

17. Organize closets, cabinets and drawers – buyers will be examining them.  Minimize content in these areas as well to provide a sense of space.

18. Remove any potentially offensive items or artwork. Don’t alienate potential buyers unnecessarily.

19. Make sure repairs, painting and any patch work has been completed before holding an Open House.

20. Absolutely no dirty dishes in the sinks or dirty/wet clothes in the bathroom or laundry room.

21. Home marketing material.  Make sure viewers have takeaways to help them remember the positive things about your listing.  Include a list of the home’s features and printed material that include professional photos when possible. 

Exterior Considerations

1. Insure lawn is mowed!  Never hold an Open House if the yard is not prepared appropriately.

2. All shrubbery should be manicured and prepared for the big day.

3. Freshen the mulch in all landscaping.

4. Insure there are healthy plants and flowers to accent entryways and increase curb appeal.  Remove any dead or dying plants, tree limbs, etc.

5. Insure gardens, flower beds and landscaping are free of weeds.

6. Again, insure walkways and yard is free of trip hazards.

7. Freshen paint where needed.

8. Address aesthetic needs/repairs.

9. Insure all windows are cleaned and that exterior has been pressure washed.

10. Don’t forget to address cleanliness and repairs of other exterior items such as the mailbox, out buildings, workshops, playhouses, swings, etc. 

11. Children’s play areas should be clean and in good repair.

12. Consider staging patios, sunrooms, etc.  (Serving lemonade or tea in these areas are great Open House activities).

13. Insure decking, pools, and other exterior areas are safe and clean.

14. Set the scene.  Exterior staging is as important as interior considerations. Fountains and other working exterior accents should be functional and active.

15. Employ Open House signage, balloons or other attention-getting tools to let drivers-by know something special is happening at this address.

Open Houses and showing appointments are your listings time to shine!  It’s truly Showtime and all the world is a critic!  This is curtain call!  Make sure the star of the show is prepared for the make-it or break-it performance because that is exactly what an Open House is - SHOWTIME!

By Steve Baker, Real Estate Marketing