How to prepare for an Open House

An Open House is a set time

where buyers can come in and
view a seller’s home. They
usually leave with marketing
material that includes basic
features of home and price. The
main reason to have an Open
House is that it will likely result
in a faster sale.

Mandatory Items
Marketing flyer - may print the flyer straight
from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) that
Realtor’s use to advertise homes for sale

Sign In sheet – may choose to get buyer’s

information electronically instead

Business Cards – cards that belong to the

Realtor who has placed it on the market

Optional Items
Table and 2-4 chairs – only for empty homes

Open House sign – your company may provide

with logo
Balloons – 2 or more colors attract more
attention

Apple Pie/Chocolate Chip Cookies – nice smell

in home
Buyers’ Market (Plenty of homes for
sale or rent and buyers can pick and
choose)
The goal here is to get as much
exposure to the home as possible
including people that may live in
the area and will tell their friends.

Steps to Prepare for an Open House in a Buyer’s Market

1. Determine if buyer’s market or seller’s market. This can be done by asking an
experienced Realtor or google, many investment sites will let you know when we are in
a buyer’s market.
2. Pick a time for the Open House and set up advertising. Most popular time is Saturday
10am-12pm. Allow at least 3 days for marketing before holding an Open House. The
MLS will send to popular sites like realtor.com and redfin.com. I also advise adding the
information to Zillow.com. Only a Realtor is allowed to place a home for sale in MLS.
3. Inform every buyer that inquires about the home when the Open House is taking place
and invite them to view at that time.
4. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the Open House to put out signs and balloons.
5. Place pie or cookies in the oven to bake so that home will smell nice.
6. Pick a spot in the home that has table and chairs and set out sign in sheet, marketing
flyers, and business cards. You may also bring a small card table and fold-up chairs if
home is empty.
7. Welcome buyers and request that they sign in.
8. Follow up with all buyers and save information for future Open House marketing.

*Please note that an Open House is for Buyer’s, friends, or family of a buyer that have not set up an
appointment with a Realtor. A Realtor may still show the home outside of the Open House window of
time.
Sellers’ Market (Less homes for sale
or rent and seller only wants a few
qualified buyers viewing the home)
The goal here is to get qualified
buyer’s in the door that didn’t set
an appointment with a Realtor.

Steps to Prepare for an Open House in a Seller’s Market

1. Determine if buyer’s market or seller’s market. This can be done by asking an
experienced Realtor or google, many investment sites will let you know when we are in
a seller’s market.
2. Pick a time for the Open House and set up advertising. Most popular time is Saturday
10am-12pm. Allow at least 3 days for marketing before holding an Open House. The
MLS will send to popular sites like realtor.com and redfin.com. I also advise adding the
information to Zillow.com. Only a Realtor is allowed to place a home for sale in MLS.
3. Inform qualified buyers that inquire about the home when the Open House is taking
place and invite them to view at that time.
4. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the Open House to put out signs and balloons.
5. Place pie or cookies in the oven to bake so that home will smell nice.
6. Pick a spot in the home that has table and chairs and set out sign in sheet, marketing
flyers, and business cards. You may also bring a small card table and fold-up chairs if
home is empty.
7. Welcome buyers and request that they sign in.
8. Follow up with all buyers and save information for future Open House marketing.

*Please note that an Open House is for Buyer’s, friends, or family of a buyer that have not set up an
appointment with a Realtor. A Realtor may still show the home outside of the Open House window of
time.

**Step number 4 may be skipped if the sellers are wanting to limit the number of unqualified people
walking through the home. Many people who attend an Open House are just nosy neighbors with no
intention of buying.