Open houses
Holding an effective open house is part of a good marketing strategy to find a buyer. It is possible to organize this type of visit more than once; key times are when putting the property up for sale, after renovations or when there is a change in price. You’ll see that there are several benefits to such an event.
You’ll attract more potential buyers
First, this type of visit lets you meet people who might not have had the courage to come see your home otherwise. And your first open house gives your listing more exposure, since the listing will be included in the email alerts.
Get the pulse of the market
An open house also lets the homeowner get visitors’ feedback about the property. This information is a useful way of checking whether the list price is appropriate for the market and whether the property has any downsides that need attention.
Save time
Lastly, these events will save you time by bringing several visitors at once. This can create a feeling of urgency if several interested people cross paths.
Coach's tip
It’s difficult to anticipate how many visitors will attend an open house. If you get fewer than you hoped for on the first try, don’t write off open houses from your strategy. Remember that you only need one buyer. Maybe the right person will be at your next event.
Make your event a success
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1. Create an event! Plan your open house in My DuProprio five to seven days in advance. The ideal times are Saturdays and Sundays between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. | ||
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2. Advertise the open house Put up signs (directional signs with the “Visite libre” add-on) in your neighbourhood and promote the event on the website, for instance by adding a week in Featured Homes to your strategy. |
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3. Prepare the necessary documents Visitors will naturally ask questions about your property. So be sure to have as much helpful information as possible on hand during the open house, along with certain documents. | ||
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4. Show your home in its best light Your home must charm visitors: end of story. So, make sure everything is spic and span, inside and out, even in storage areas. Potential buyers may open cupboards and closets to see how much space is available. Make sure things are in order in there, so your stuff doesn’t come tumbling out onto a visitor’s head! | ||
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1. Answer questions We recommend that you not have more than one person or couple visit at one time, to give each the attention they deserve. There’s no need to play the salesperson: the property itself will appeal to potential buyers. No need for fancy words. Just provide the essential information about the home and answer any questions you’re asked. End each visit by giving interested parties a printed listing of your property. | ||
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2. Keep a log of visitors Visitors are potential buyers. Take down their contact info so they don’t just leave without giving you any feedback. After the visit, follow-up with them, but without pressuring them. Ask if they have any questions, if they want to submit an offer to purchase and if they have any comments about the property. | ||
FAQ
How often should I hold an open house?
We recommend spacing out open houses by a few weeks so the events continue to be special.
Is it better to have my pet stay with someone else?
People coming to your home should feel as comfortable as possible so they can focus on the purpose of their visit: viewing the property. It would be unfortunate to interrupt a visit because someone is allergic to animals or because the dog is overexcited. So the ideal situation would be to get pets out of the house before visitors arrive.
Can I have an open house even if some renovations aren’t finished?
If you want to sell quickly and get the best price for your home, it should look its best when you put it up for sale. Don’t organize an event if your home looks like a worksite. It’s better to get everything finished beforehand.