Spring is just around the corner. People in South Carolina will be spending lots of time outdoors and searching for fun activities on the weekends. If you have a house for sale, you can get in on the action by hosting an Open House. The primary goals of this event are to attract attention to your listing, drive foot traffic to your front door and, most importantly, to get offers.
A successful Open House can definitely help you achieve all three of these goals. There are several things to keep in mind to make sure your special event goes well and accomplishes what you hope it will. Before delving into the great tips and creative ideas you’ll find in the rest of this blog post, you’ll want to be aware of the cardinal (yet often unspoken) rule, which is that you, the homeowner, should not be present during the event.
Why homeowners should not be present during an Open House
Experienced listing agents will tell you that one of the goals in showing a home-for-sale to potential buyers is to create an atmosphere that makes them feel welcome, like they can imagine themselves living in the house. When homeowners are present during an Open House, it is difficult for buyers to feel at ease. They might be hesitant to ask certain questions and will feel as though they’re visiting rather than imagining themselves owning the home. This is why homeowners should always vacate the premises during these events.
These tips can boost success
Try one or more of these ideas to boost success when scheduling an Open House:
- Time it right. Early afternoon on a Saturday is not necessarily the best time for an Open House, especially if your home is in a community where there are many families whose children are involved in sports.
- Considering hiring a professional to stage your home, or, at least, do some research to learn how to properly stage a home for real estate showings. A poorly staged home can ruin your chances of getting offers.
- Work with your agent to use social media platforms and technology, such as Reels, TikTok, etc., to advertise and conduct marketing campaigns for your Open House, beginning, at least, two weeks in advance.
- Set up a “Welcome” table that includes pamphlets that highlight your home’s best features.
- Serve tasty finger-foods and consider adding a coffee bar or a few simple cocktails.
You might also consider adding gift bags that visitors can take when they depart. Include information about the community, business cards or gift cards from local establishments, a few treats and, of course, your agent’s contact information.
There are several potential downsides to hosting an Open House, which you can learn more about, here. Such events, when done right, are often effective tools for “getting the word out” about your South Carolina home-for-sale and may be just what you need to start bringing in the offers.