Open Houses
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.
