Conducting Open Houses.....Correctly

One might think that conducting an open house is as simple as being there on time and opening the door for all the visitors. Well my friends, nothing could be further from the truth.

Conducting an open house....correctly...is an art form. Many experienced agents have their own styles and props. One agent I know always puts an apple pie in the oven at a low flame to fill the home with just the sweetest of aromas. Another always puts small bouquets of flowers through out the home for color and smell. Always have "the game" on the TV; this keeps the husband engaged and gives the wife time to really look around without being rushed.

There are some basic guidelines...always get there 15-20 minutes early. If its a dark apartment turn on all the lights, if its a sunny apartment open all the blinds and curtains. If the apartment is messy clean it up, if the apartment is cluttered move things about. Accent the positives and hide the negatives.

Make sure the owner(s) are not there, no one will speak candidly about the apartment in front of the seller. Make sure your Show Sheets make the apartment look great. Have a sign in sheet and be sure that everyone that signs in does so legibly. Know what the competition is. Buyers are not only looking at your listing, they are looking at lots of others too...how does yours compare in terms of size, renovations, light and price?

An open house is a valuable tool and used correctly will help speed up the sale. Taken for granted it just a way to kill a few hours on a Sunday.