What is the Purpose of an Open House?

Something that your Saskatoon realtor will bring up will be if you are wanting to have an open house or not. Some people are unsure about the benefits of an open house or may see it as more of an inconvenience. Others may feel stressed about having to be out of the house for a longer period of time than that of a regular showing.

Here are some tangible reasons why your house  should be one of the many Saskatoon open houses that we do every year. The benefits absolutely outweigh the small inconvenience of having your home open to multiple people at once. It could even help you sell your home faster, and at a higher price. We have compiled several reasons of why you should consider having an open house.

An Open House Can…

Reduce your overall marketing costs

Having an open house is a fantastic way to reduce your overall marketing costs. Hosting an open house costs nothing and the more people you have view your house, the better. Sometimes, however, your local real estate agent might want to put an advertisement in the local newspaper, which might cost a few dollars, but that is about it.

Hosting an open house is a fantastic way to get more people in the door. Selling a house truly is a numbers game and hosting an open house will only increase your odds of selling quickly and at a reasonable price.

Set your house apart from the rest

Potential buyers often view more than one home, or even open houses, in a day. Your open house is the perfect opportunity to showcase what is special about your home. Also, if there are many homes for sale in your neighborhood, it can be difficult to distinguish your house from another one in your neighborhood. Hosting an open house is the best way to show potential buyers what makes your house different from your neighbors. You can highlight special features or amenities and show potential buyers why they should choose your house over another.

Hosting an open house is especially important for homes that may not look ideal on paper. Potential buyers typically have a set of criteria and if your home does not quite stack up, they may never even step foot through the door. Open houses encourage buyers who are on the fence about viewing a property to give it the chance it deserves.

Show your house in its best light at the perfect time

Preparing to put your home on the market can be a stressful time. Between cleaning, fixing issues, and clearing away the clutter, the whole process can seem somewhat daunting. Having an open house allows you to make your home ready to show when it is convenient for you. After selecting a date that is best for you, you can do the deep cleaning and organizing needed to put your best foot forward.

Find out how to improve your listing

Hosting an open house is a great way to receive casual feedback on what buyers do and do not like about your home. If you hold an open house shortly after putting the house on the market, you can take this feedback and try to improve the house where you can. This invaluable feedback can really help you find out what you can do to make your house more appealing to buyers.

Since open houses are more casual than one-on-one viewings, potential buyers may be more forthcoming about their likes and dislikes in regard to your property. After your open house, gather the feedback from your trusted realtor and get to work.

Sell your neighborhood/area

Potential buyers are not just looking for the perfect house, they want a great neighborhood as well. Open houses are a prime opportunity for your realtor to casually discuss the benefits of your location, including restaurants, grocery stores, schools, parks, etc. You may even consider making a map or list of these places that potential buyers can take with them. This is a fantastic way to keep your property fresh in their minds and remind them of all the reasons they should consider purchasing your home.

In addition, you may ask your friendly neighbors to pop in and greet your guests. If potential buyers make a personal connection with your neighbors, it will only increase the chances of them making an offer on your house.

Increase word-of-mouth

As we have said before, selling a house is a numbers game. The more people you have viewing your home, the better. You should consider hosting an agent-only open house. This will allow you to cater specifically to their needs and show them that you value their time and expertise. If you make agents excited about your property, they will be excited to recommend it to potential buyers, saving on marketing efforts.

Depending on your budget, you may consider catering this open house, or providing coffee & dessert if there is another agent open house in the area. Another benefit of hosting an agent open house is that it is another opportunity to get feedback about your listing and some recommendations on improving it.

A relaxed atmosphere equals a better viewing experience

Open houses can provide an opportunity to have many people view your home in a relaxed setting. Viewing a home one-on-one with an agent can be a bit stressful, especially for first-time home-buyers. Allowing multiple visitors to come in to your home, in a low-pressure situation can ease the tension.

Your realtor can casually offer tours, point out some of the key features, and answer any questions your guests might have. Visitors can also choose to walk about the house at their leisure and not have the added pressure of having an agent with them at all times.

Open House Tips

If you have decided to have an open house, and we really recommend that you do, here are some tried-and-true tips for hosting the best open house possible.

We recommend you pay close attention to:

• Cleanliness and Clutter – When you decide to host your open house, you need to make sure your house is in tip-top shape. Make sure everything is spotless and free of clutter. This may be the perfect time to pack up a couple boxes of stuff from each room. You want your house to look as big as possible. Clean the inside and outside of the house and empty all garbage cans. If you have an indoor cat, remove the litter box from the house entirely.

• The Smell – Just like the smell of freshly-baked cookies can be inviting, a bad smell can actually keep someone from buying a home. Open your windows before the event to get some fresh air in the house and be aware of pet, food, or trash smells that may put buyers off. Your realtor or neighbor can be good assets and help you determine if there are any strange or bad smells you may have gotten used to.

• Your Pets – If possible, secure a pet sitter. Some potential buyers have allergies, and some may even have a fear of certain types of pets. If you cannot secure a sitter, try to keep the pet out of the way during the open house.

• Music – An open house is not the time to play your favorite rock band. If you would like to add to the atmosphere, some mellow, generic music will do the trick. Also, try to minimize any sounds that might be distracting or annoying, such as noisy appliances or TVs.

• Your Presence – Do not be the hovering homeowner. Your trusted realtor will take care of the open house and keep an eye on your property. Trust them to do their job. If you can, try to be out of the home during the open house as it can cause some buyers to not feel comfortable to look around for long, therefore, losing potential buyers.

• The Staging – If you have the budget to stage your house, or even a couple of rooms, this will only increase your chances of finding a buyer during your open house. Staging professionals know how to utilize your belongings and furniture, or bring well selected furniture and décor items, to show your home at its absolute best.

• The Timing – Have your open house for a couple hours, instead of an entire day. This will have more people in your house at one time, making the listing look more popular. You will also only have to sacrifice a couple hours of your time, which can be very important if you have children or pets.

Keep in mind that although you may not sell your house as a direct result of your open house, you do increase the possibility of guests telling other people about your house. Just because it is not the perfect house for them does not mean that they do not know someone who the house would be perfect for. Hosting a warm, inviting open house and giving your guests a great experience will increase the likelihood that guests will tell other people about their experience.

Although open houses may not seem ideal to you, there are many valid reasons to have one. Whether it is to place a spotlight on what your house has to offer or even getting crucial feedback on how you can improve your listing, homeowners have a lot to gain by hosting an open house. Contact your Realty Executives realtor to schedule your open house today!