Open Houses
TLDR: Having an open house is akin to hosting a party - make sure you prepare in advance!
What should I know about scheduling an open house?
Pretend you're having a party! You'll need to advertise your open house and prepare your property for showing.
A week in advance: Make a post about your open house on every available online platform. Spread the word and share the event online. Scheduling a week out is enough notice without being so far in advance that buyers forget about the open house.
Sometime before the big day: Spruce up the yard. Hang flowers. Print off flyers for your house (provide a template for sellers). Purchase balloons, signs, cookies, candles, air fresheners, refreshments, cups, napkins, and anything else you might need to make your house attractive while people are walking through.
The day before: Post about the open house again online.
The day of: Post about the open house for the final time. Make your property easy to spot to attendees by hanging balloons from the mailbox and putting signs in the yard. Attract passersby from the nearest main road by posting signs directing buyers to the open house, but be sure to remove them after your event has concluded. Open all blinds and shades, and ensure the house smells nice by baking cookies, lighting candles, or using a plug-in air freshener. Provide flyers for attendees to take home.
Tip
If you’ve got a series of signs leading the way to your open house, include the address on your signs in case people can't find the next sign!