How to Hit a Home Run at Your Next Open House

So you finally did it; you won the listing and you are so excited but now that all of the joy has settled you’re faced with the reality that you’ve gotta get busy and get this house sold.

So you think, “I know what I’ll do, I’ll plan an open house.”

This could be the best decision of your career here’s 3 tips to help you hit a home run at your next open house:

 

#1 – Invite brokers and buyers not agents.

I know this may sound counter-productive or misleading but it’s true.

The people that you want INVITE to your open house should be brokers who you know specialize in finding qualified buyers and buyers who you know are qualified.

It’s up to you to do the homework to identify each group here’s some clues.

Search the MLS and other data providers for the latest results on recently sold houses near your listing.

Cross reference each broker and determine who they are.

Now pick up the phone and invite them to your open house, AFTER you send them a card formally inviting them.

Make sure you come off as if you’re doing the broker a favor, tell them how many buyers that you mailed to (Who are most likely looking for an agent) that will be in attendance.  This gives the broker multiple reasons to show up and increases the chances dramatically that they will.

As far as inviting other agents don’t worry about them they will invite themselves or their brokers will make them go.  Either way they’ll take care of themselves.

As far as finding qualified buyers reach out to mortgage brokers and let them know about the event as well. You can also deduce the mortgage broker information from recently sold homes near your listing.

 

#2 – Be prepared.

Not only should the property be in spotless condition for the showing but it’s probably a good idea to have the property staged with furniture if it’s vacant so that people can get a feel for the space.

Have all of the useful information readily available about the area and the house such as the nearest schools and their rating, the nearest grocery stores, and entertainment options.

This will cast a shadow of confidence on your entire event and remove skepticism while inserting admiration of your work.

 

#3 – Leverage your website.

While at the open house a great way to keep track of who showed up is to use your laptop or tablet while at the event.

You can use it to quickly capture leads for attendees that don’t seem quite interested but want you to find them something similar on another side of town.

I recommend using IDXPro MLS Search as this powerful tool makes this important function seamless and easy to use.

Now you or your buyers can browse through your other listings without having to leave your site or your open house.