11 open house ideas for the modern real estate agent

Hosting an open house is a fantastic way to show off a home. That is, if it’s done correctly. By preparing the property, advertising the event, and creating a fun atmosphere, you can attract more leads and start boosting sales. From unique real estate open house ideas to engaging open house activities, we’ve got all the tips you need to successfully pull off a great open house experience. 

1. Promote your open house on social media

These days it’s not enough to just announce your open house on websites like Zillow or your local MLS. With millions of people visiting social media platforms daily, it’s wise to promote your open houses on them too. Take Instagram and Facebook Stories for example. Stories give you a chance to provide potential buyers with a sneak peek into what they can expect before they come for an in-person showing. In other words, it’s an opportunity for you to give them a quick, fun glimpse into what the open house has to offer. In your Story, you may want to tease interested buyers with short video clips of the home's best features and include other useful property details such as the open house address and time, along with your contact information. Although Stories are fantastic for lead generation, keep in mind that those on Instagram will disappear after 24 hours. 

2. Use videos and virtual tours

While it’s true that a picture can be worth a thousand words, going beyond just using photos in your listings can help you attract more qualified leads for your open houses. In particular, videos and virtual tours can be a powerful way to showcase properties because they are convenient and accessible. With virtual tours, potential buyers can view a property from the comfort of their own home at any time and are often ideal for people who can’t attend the open house in-person. According to a nationwide survey, 50% of potential buyers would be willing to place an offer on a home based exclusively on a virtual tour. And if your target demographic are buyers aged between 18 and 34, statistics show that they’re 130% more likely to book a showing if you provide a virtual tour. 

As a real estate listing agent, virtual tours can also save you the time it takes to otherwise schedule and coordinate showings and travel to and from the house. Plus, 3D virtual tours can potentially lead to a 9% higher selling price and a 31% chance of selling faster than those without a virtual tour. 

3. Invite the neighbors

When you set up an open house, your mind is probably focused on only attracting visitors who are serious buyers. But inviting the neighbors can pay off in ways that you least expect it. It allows potential buyers to meet the community and ask them questions about what it’s really like to live there. And while the neighbors themselves won’t be making an offer, they might know someone who’s interested. Word of mouth can make a sale happen a lot faster than traditional marketing methods. 

Pro-tip: Aim to invite people from at least 10 of the homes nearby and use a handwritten note instead of flyers if possible. Better yet, walk over to the homes and knock on their doors. Doing so will show people that you genuinely care about their attendance and are serious about cultivating a strong community.

4. Put together a neighborhood highlights board

While the neighbors can provide potential home buyers with the inside scoop on the neighborhood and its charms, it doesn’t hurt to have a sign with local attractions and amenities. From parks to museums and everything in between, you can create a board with photos and information about all the fun things to do in the area. If your audience is mainly families with children or young adults, for example, you might choose to focus on pointing out things like nearby playgrounds and schools or popular bars and nightlife.

Pro-tip: Consider including a local events calendar for the next month so guests can get a feel for the lifestyle they can expect if they choose to move there. 

5. Create a fun environment with activities for guests

Open house activities can make the event more fun and can help you spark a conversation with attendees. In particular, featuring a giveaway or raffle item can be a great draw for visitors. Try  partnering with local restaurants or theaters to see if they’d like to sponsor the event with a date night gift card or free pair of tickets. 

Alternatively, you can do something unique like invite a local contractor or interior designer to demonstrate simple home improvement projects or DIY tips. Or if the property has a great kitchen space, you might want to consider hosting a live cooking or cocktail-making class. Additionally, consider setting up a designated area with activities for children, such as coloring books, crafts, or even a supervised play area so parents can explore the property without distractions. Another creative idea is you can encourage visitors to take pictures of their favorite property features and post them on social media with a specific hashtag and offer a prize such as a gift card or a small home accessory for the best photo. 

6. Hand out swag

A token of appreciation can go a long way. As guests leave, have some of your own branded items to give them such as pens, notepads, water bottles, and keychains. Anything with your information on it will help you remain on top of your guests’ minds. So even if they don’t end up buying the house you’re showing, it might just be enough to help them remember you when they’re in need of an agent’s services in the future.

7. Offer refreshments

Show your guest some hospitality by making the house feel homier and providing refreshments. Stop by nearby delis, small grocery stores, or restaurants to pick up appetizers for the event. You can even include small signs and business cards in front of each dish so visitors can get an idea of what the neighborhood has to offer. Food and drinks are especially important to provide for weekday showings, as guests may be coming straight from work and will be hungry.

Pro-tip: If you choose to offer alcohol at an open house, research your local state laws first to make sure you’re allowed to do so. 

8. Don’t forget the follow-up 

As an agent, you often have to wear many different hats—from being a salesperson to a negotiator, marketer, compassionate professional, and even a neighborhood expert. Considering there’s so many things to juggle simultaneously, follow-ups can easily fall through the cracks. Research shows that 44% of agents stop following up with a lead after they receive one “no”, while 22% stop after receiving two “no’s”. But it’s important not to let follow-ups end up at the bottom of your to-do list and here’s a few reasons why. 

• Engaging with attendees after an open house helps you establish and nurture relationships. And personal connection can be instrumental in converting interested visitors into actual buyers.

• Following up allows you to gauge who’s genuinely interested in the property and who isn’t so you can prioritize your efforts and focus on the most promising leads.

• Potential buyers may have questions or need more information after visiting an open house. And when you reach out you can answer those questions, offer additional details, clarify any concerns, and make it easier for them to make informed decisions.

• If the current property doesn’t meet the needs of a potential buyer, a follow-up gives you a chance to suggest other listings that might be a better fit.  

• Building a good rapport through follow-ups can lead to positive word-of-mouth and recommendations, which can increase attendance at future open houses. Satisfied attendees are more likely to refer you to their friends and family.

9. Collaborate with other agents in your area

Believe it or not, jointly promoted open house events with other agents in your area can create a buzz in the community, increasing foot traffic and generating interest in multiple properties at once. Working together with other agents enables you to pool your marketing resources, reach a wider audience and attract more buyers. So if you’ve been trying to stay ahead of your competition, it might just be time to start collaborating with them instead. 

10. Use QR codes for more than signups 

With internet listings now being the primary means for home searches, QR codes have become incredibly valuable due to their ease of use and speed. They also make the home-buying process smoother and more engaging.

Here are three of the many ways you can use QR codes at your next open house to get leads:

1. Set up an iPad sign-in station with a QR code for attendees to scan when they enter the open house so they can provide their contact information.

2. Create a QR code that directs attendees to your contact information, website, or social media profiles to make it easy for them to get in touch with you for questions, schedule private showings, or receive additional property details.

3. Generate QR codes linked to virtual tour videos or 360-degree panoramic images of the property so interested buyers can scan the code and reference the property at their convenience. 

11. Virtually stage empty rooms 

Virtually staging empty rooms is a great technique that can make a listing more visually appealing. With a little creativity, you can fuel potential buyers' imagination with different styles, decor ideas, and furnishings to help them envision the space’s potential as their future home which can lead to a faster sale. In fact, 88% of staged homes sell faster and for 20% more than those that aren’t staged. Plus, virtually staging a home gives you the opportunity to highlight key selling points so you can impress and intrigue more prospective buyers. 

‍Pro-tip: Instead of traditional staging, set up the home to reflect a specific lifestyle that might appeal to your target market. It could be anything from a home gym setup to a cozy reading nook, or even a home office for remote workers. 

Make a lasting impression

Hosting a successful open house requires more than just opening the doors to potential buyers. It's about thinking out-of-the-box and finding ways to make the experience memorable and impactful. Don’t be afraid to try out new ideas and strategies. Some of them might resonate more than you think and help you drive successful property sales.

Ultimately, the goal is to stand out from the crowd and make a lasting impression. By implementing these real estate open house ideas, you’ll be able to attract more visitors, generate more interest in the property, and seal deals faster. Finished with your open house and not sure what to do with all the new leaads you've captured? Learn how real estate CRM software can help you turn those prospects into future clients down the road.