Whether or not you’re working with a real estate agent, the way you market your open house can determine how many people show up, as well as the quality of your potential buyers. When you’re trying to sell a home, use these seven tips to advertise your open house and you’ll see swarms of buyers on the big day:
- Work with your real estate agent. Your real estate agent has lots of expertise when it comes to open houses, so let her work her magic and the buyers will show up in droves.
- Plenty of signs. People will only know where your home is if you make sure it’s obvious. Put up a few signs in your neighborhood with directions, as well as a large sign on your lawn. Balloons on the mailbox will also help ease any potential confusion.
- Ad it up. Make sure your open house is listed in the classified section of your newspaper for a week or two before your open house. Even in today’s Internet age, many people turn to the papers for this kind of information.
- Think outside the neighborhood. You’ll also want to get the attention of people who may be looking to relocate to your area. Place ads in the classified sections of nearby city papers as well.
- Go online. Once you’ve covered print media, look online for community calendars and forums. You may be able to get your open house posted online, drawing in more people. Remember to also post an ad on Craigslist.
- Tell your friends and neighbors. Make sure you let your neighbors know in advance that you’re planning on having an open house. That way, if confused buyers show up at the house next door, your neighbors will know what they’re talking about. Consider having a “neighborhood showing” to reduce the number of neighbors that show up at the open house itself.
- Put up flyers. Hanging flyers a couple of weeks before the open house can help you bring in crowds – and flyers may also encourage people to call for personal tours if they can’t make the event itself. Cut strips along the bottom of the sheet to create some tear-off tabs. Include your address and phone number so that people can call about the home.
Advertising your open house is critical to ensuring that plenty of people show up. By using a few – or even all – of these strategies, you’re sure to draw a crowd for your next open house.
