Are you an agent considering hosting an open house for a property that is on the market? This may seem surprising, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to make the house feel like home. We have some simple but effective tips on how to host an event that will not be forgotten!
1. Come up with a theme
First things first, you need to come up with a theme! Brainstorm annnnnnd ………..GO!
Your goal is to make the visitors feel at home, while still providing an experience that they won’t forget.
A theme is important because it helps establish the atmosphere. Your goal is to make the visitors feel at home, while still providing an experience that they won’t forget. While you can do whatever kind of theme you would like, we suggest that you stick with something that is fun without being too corny. Think about the type of home you are showing… is it Spanish hacienda style—if so, consider serving an assortment of tapas and some fruity sangria. Are you hosting in a Tudor style home? Try serving drinks in goblets for a medieval vibe (without all the beheadings and black plague). If you are hosting in a ranch style home maybe try serving buttermilk biscuits and fried green tomatoes (with ranch dressing of course!). The point is to commit to a theme and really adhere to it; everyone loves a good theme especially when there is free food and drinks. Am I right or am I right?
2. Involve the community
A great way to take your theme and run with it, is to involve community members when hosting your open house.
Reach out to a local business and see if they want to join, or maybe even contribute to your open house! The local baker, coffee shop, winery, or local cheese shop can solidify that sense of community for your hopeful homebuyers. This little push from the community could be just what you need to spark a memorable dialogue between yourself and the potential buyers.
If you want to have a bit of an artsier event, you could invite a local artist to show some of their pieces. Not only could you do this for relatively cheap, if not for free, but also it adds an air of sophistication and class to any event, while still involving the local community.
3. Make it an experience
Don’t just stand around and let the visitors tour the home on their own.
Who knows more about this home than the owners? Consider talking with the owners and learning the history of the home. Hear their stories of the time they spent there, and share those with the guests of your open house. Don’t just stand around and let the visitors tour the home on their own. Walk with them through the house and have a great story about each room, a story that changed the house into a HOME for the owners. Personal stories like these can help the potential homebuyers to picture themselves in the house, making memories of their own. The most important thing you can do is allowing the potential homebuyers an experience that they will not get at any other open house. It is important to help them see the house as a potential HOME for them and their family.
There you have it! Make sure to have a theme, involve the community, and above all else be sure to provide an experience so that everyone who walks through the door can’t forget your open house! Oh yeah… and have fun! If you enjoy yourself, your guests will too!
- Brittany, Marketing and Customer Support Associate