Holding an open house is an effective way to
spread the word that your house is for sale, and to show potential buyers or
their friends what a great home you have.
Make
sure you advertise your open house to as many people as
possible. We strongly suggest advertising in the newspaper
classifieds.
Tell
as many friends as possible. Consider posting notices
at work, church, neighborhood public areas like libraries
or coffee shops.
Have
a place where visitors can sign in so you know how many
people visited and can follow up with interested parties.
Ask
people for feedback as they leave or if you call them
to follow up on their visit. This feedback really helps
you evaluate your price, and how buyers view your property.
Pets should not be present as they make many people uncomfortable.
Buyers are most comfortable when they can walk around your
house without being followed, at their own pace. Don't be
a tour guide, let the buyers observe at their own pace and
wait for them to ask questions. If there are some important
"hidden" features, you may want to highlight them with little
notes that attract attention, such as "New windows" or "this
window is always sunny" on a window, "New furnace" near
the thermostat, or even "hardwood floors under carpet."
Don't use more then a handful of notes, and limit your "sales
pitch" to your visitors.
