1. Prepare the Property Like a Pro

• Deep clean and declutter: Even the most beautiful homes lose appeal when they're dusty or cluttered. Hire a professional cleaning crew and advise your sellers to store away anything personal or distracting—this includes family photos, refrigerator magnets, and overflowing closets.
  
  
• Stage strategically: Focus on creating warm, inviting spaces that help buyers imagine their future. Highlight focal points like fireplaces or big windows. Add fresh flowers, cozy throws, and a subtle scent (nothing too strong).
  
  
• Don’t forget curb appeal: Many buyers will drive by before committing to attend. Trim the lawn, power wash the walkway, repaint the front door if needed. A $50 investment here can mean the difference between a drive-by and a walkthrough.
  
  
• Light, scent, and sound: Open curtains, turn on every light, and consider light background music to set the tone. Avoid candles or overpowering plug-ins; fresh air and a clean scent are best.

2. Market the Open House Before It Starts

• Leverage the MLS and real estate platforms: Ensure your open house is listed on the MLS, Zillow, Realtor.com, and any other platform where buyers in your area are looking. Make the event date and time clear.
  
  
• Email your sphere: Send a branded announcement to your past clients, buyers in your pipeline, and local agents. Encourage them to stop by or forward the invite.
  
  
• Use social media: Post eye-catching graphics or videos on Instagram and Facebook. Consider a paid boost to target buyers within a 10-mile radius. Include a call to action like "RSVP now" or "Save this date."
  
  
• Invite the neighbors: Not only can they spread the word, but some may know people looking to move into the area. Drop off flyers or knock on doors a day or two beforehand.
  
  
• Create a landing page: If you use Showable, you can create a beautiful, mobile-friendly event page where visitors can RSVP, view details, and even sign in early.

3. Use a Digital Sign-In App to Capture Leads

• Handwriting is illegible
• People skip fields or write fake info
• No automated follow-up
• It looks amateurish

• Automatically tag contacts by open house event
• Sync with CRMs and email marketing platforms
• Trigger follow-up emails without lifting a finger
• Include disclosures or marketing PDFs in follow up emails

4. Welcome Visitors with a Script and Flow

• Greet every guest personally: Smile, make eye contact, and shake hands. A simple: "Welcome! I'm Seth with Showable Realty. Let me know if you have any questions while you look around" is all it takes.
  
  
• Guide or let them browse? This depends on the crowd size and layout. Offer a brief intro and let them explore, or walk with them if they seem engaged. Don’t hover, but don’t disappear either.
  
  
• Offer marketing materials: If you're using Showable, visitors will automatically receive your branded follow-up email with any brochures, disclosures, or links you include. But also have a few printouts on hand.
  
  Handle questions with confidence: Have answers ready about:
• Neighborhood comps
• Recent renovations
• School districts
• HOA fees and utility costs

5. Create Opportunities for Immediate Feedback

• "What feature stood out most to you?"
• "Can you see yourself living here?"
• "What would hold you back from making an offer today?"

6. Follow Up Within 24 Hours—Always

• Hot leads: Send a personal text or call the same day
• Warm leads: Send an email with next steps and ask what else they’re looking for
• Cold leads: Add to your drip campaign and retarget with listings

• Trigger a welcome email instantly
• Send custom follow-up sequences by lead type
• Automatically add contacts to your CRM
• Track email opens and clicks

7. Learn and Improve from Every Open House

• What was attendance like?
• How many people signed in?
• Which marketing channels worked?
• What questions came up repeatedly?

Use Showable’s dashboard to see who registered. Share results with the seller to reinforce your value—and tweak your strategy next time based on what worked.

FAQs About Hosting Open Houses

• What’s the best time of day for an open house? Late morning or early afternoon on weekends typically perform best. Sundays from 1-4 PM are a classic choice.
  
  
• How long should an open house last? Aim for 2-3 hours—long enough to attract traffic, but short enough to create urgency.
  
  
• Should the listing agent be present? Yes. Being present helps you build relationships, gather feedback, and answer questions that could make or break a deal.
  
  
• Do open houses still work in 2025? Absolutely. When combined with tech like Showable, open houses are more effective than ever for creating engagement and generating leads.

Final Thoughts