If you have ever driven through a neighborhood during the weekend, then chances are you’ve come across an open house. Balloons and signs in the front yard draw attention to the fact that the home is for sale and open for visitors. With professional photography and video tours that have gained popularity in the past few years, some sellers question the value of having an open house. I feel that they are still an important part of marketing a home; keep reading to find out why.
An Open House is a Relaxed Setting
An open house is a scheduled event meant to allow potential buyers the opportunity to see your home. While you will not be present, your Realtor® will be in your home ready to welcome buyers, give them tours of the home, and answer any questions. This gives buyers an opportunity to see the home in a relaxed setting and spend as much time as they need touring the property. Often, with a scheduled showing a Realtor® accompanies their buyer clients through the home and there is a smaller window before the next showing takes place. Sometimes this can leave buyers feeling rushed.
An Open House reaches Potential Buyers
Let’s be honest; some people who attend open houses are just curious-and that’s okay! They want to see what the inside of the home looks like or get a feel of a neighborhood. Even if that buyer doesn’t intend to purchase the home, they may share their positive experiences with family and friends who may also be interested in purchasing a home for sale.
Open houses are a good time for buyers to visit a home even if their real estate agent isn’t available to show them the house at a particular time. These are buyers who are actively searching for a home.
An Open House Provides Additional Listing Exposure
Open houses also bring additional attention to your property. When Realtors® update a property listing with an open house date, home search sites will update their listings of the home with the new information. This can help your home stand out online with people searching for homes to tour. Additionally, the signage on open house day will draw attention to your home for people in the neighborhood who may not be aware your home is for sale. (Remember, some HOAs limit the type of signage allowed to be displayed on property.)
Holding an open house is just one piece of a marketing strategy to get your home sold. If you are interested in learning more about the home selling process, then take a look at my free home seller’s guide. Are you an experienced seller or want to talk more specifics? Find out how much your home is worth. Afterwards, I can speak with you about your home’s specific features that will affect the value and current market conditions.
