Keys to successful open houses

With an open house, a lot is out of the control of the seller and the realtor team. You can't force buyers and agents to come look at your home. Occasionally if the situation merits it, you can get creative with a contest or promotion. But you still can't push a button and dial up genuine interest. So what can you control? Here's a quick list. Running an ad about the open house is still often a good idea. Sharing it on Facebook, Twitter, Craigslist and on a website or blog are all givens these days. People like to consume information across several different platforms. Getting the word out to an email list and a list of agents is also crucial. Get a realtor team with a big list. Taking the little steps can also lead to an advantage for the seller. Little steps equals proper signage that actually stands up and stands out. Directional signs for hard to find neighborhoods are a must. Balloons are a part of the arsenal as well. Another big key is getting the word out to neighbors. Knocking on a few doors to see if someone has a friend, relative of business associate who may be interested in living nearby. Neighbors have a vested interest in who moves in. Remember that. Questionnaires at the open house are a great way to tweak the strategy based on early feedback. All that being said, only 4% of homes sell via open house offers. So open houses are part of an overall strategy but don't bet the house on them. Literally.