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If you’re looking to make the most out of having potential buyers visit your home, hosting an exceptional open house is crucial. This is particularly important if you’re an owner or have a tenant living in the house. To ensure your San Francisco open house is a success and sets you apart from the competition, be sure to incorporate these five essential elements into your event:
RESEARCH OTHER OPEN HOUSES
Attending other open houses is an important step when preparing to sell your property. According to a study by the National Association of Realtors, 45% of home buyers attend open houses during their home search. By attending other open houses, you can get an idea of what your competition is and how to differentiate your property from others in the market.
During your visit, make sure to take notes on what works well in other homes, such as the design and format of informational handouts, extra features included in the showing, and how the agent follows up with attendees. Additionally, look for things that make your house stand out from the rest of the market.
It’s important to make your property stand out without making it too personalized. For example, providing cookies or snacks during the open house can be a great way to make families feel welcome. Discuss these ideas with your agent to determine the best strategy for setting up your San Francisco open house, based on the successes and failures of other open houses.
ADVERTISE AGGRESSIVELY
The success of your San Francisco open house heavily depends on the number of people you can get through the door. In fact, according to a study by the National Association of Realtors, 20% of buyers find their home through attending an open house. Therefore, it’s important to advertise your open house aggressively.
Utilize all available online listing platforms, as well as social media, to reach as many potential buyers as possible. Consider creating eye-catching graphics and advertising any special features, like a raffle or refreshments.
In addition to online advertising, don’t forget to promote your open house locally. Display signs in the area and put up flyers or door hangers in nearby neighborhoods. While some visitors may not be in the market to buy, they may know someone who is and can pass along your information.
PREPARE THE PREMISES
To make a great impression during your San Francisco open house, you need to prepare your premises meticulously. According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, 96% of real estate agents recommend deep cleaning your home before putting it on the market. Start by mowing the lawn, trimming bushes, and tending to your landscaping. Next, open all blinds and curtains to let in natural light and create a more open feel. Adding extra lighting like lamps can also help brighten up dim areas.
Additionally, it’s crucial to ensure your home smells pleasant without being overpowering. Many people are sensitive to artificial scents, so avoid air fresheners or candles. Instead, try simmering a pot of water with natural ingredients like oranges, fresh cranberries, and cinnamon sticks to create a light, pleasant aroma. This small touch can help create a welcoming atmosphere for your potential buyers.
PUT OUT PAPERWORK
Because you want potential buyers to have all the information on your home to take with them, make sure you have ample copies of all the paperwork you plan to give out.
According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, buyers found property flyers and information to be the most useful part of the open house experience, with 93% of respondents indicating it was “very” or “somewhat” useful. So, make sure to include all relevant information about your property, such as square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, features, and upgrades.
Put the paperwork somewhere centrally located and visible, such as on the kitchen table, the living room coffee table, or the kitchen counter. It’s best to station someone near enough to the papers – but not hovering over them – so they can answer questions guests may have and quickly hand out any appropriate brochures.
FOLLOW UP PROMPTLY
After your San Francisco open house, it’s important to follow up promptly with potential buyers. You’ve collected their contact information, and now it’s time to put it to good use.
Plan to send out an email thanking them for attending within 24 hours of the open house. Use a basic form email to make things easy, but be sure to personalize it with anything specific you spoke with a guest about during the open house.
Research shows that prompt follow-up is critical to success. According to a study by the National Sales Executive Association, only 2% of sales are made on the first contact with a potential customer. The same study found that 80% of sales are made on the fifth to twelfth contact. So, following up quickly while the open house is fresh in their minds gives you the best chance of getting an interested party to respond.
While email is an effective and convenient way to follow up, don’t forget about other channels as well. You can also follow up with potential buyers via phone call or text message. The key is to be persistent without being pushy. Show that you are interested in helping them find their dream home and willing to provide any additional information they may need.
HELP HOSTING YOUR San Francisco OPEN HOUSE
If you want to make your San Francisco open house a success, contact me today at 415-830-1423!
