Some agents think open houses are too old-school for getting leads and would instead want to go viral on TikTok. However, if you use the right tools, focus on making people feel at home, and learn a few simple scripts and strategies, open houses can still be an awesome way for new and experienced agents to get leads. I’ve updated my list of the best real estate open house ideas for realtors. I cover everything from using QR codes in new, creative ways to clever tricks for getting your business card into neighbors’ pockets.
Preparing for the Open House
Getting ready for an open house involves a bunch of important stuff. From making an open house checklist to inviting the neighbors, these preparations ensure everything goes smoothly. And let’s not forget good ol’ door knocking—it’s still a great way to connect with potential clients in the neighborhood and get leads from your open house.
1. Use an Open House Checklist to Stay Organized
-
Cost:
Free
Using a checklist for open house tasks like home staging, posting the event on social media, installing open house signs, and preparing handout materials keeps you on task so you’re not scrambling around at the last minute. Being prepared also maximizes your lead potential since you’ll feel more relaxed and confident interacting with open house guests instead of worrying if you forgot something. You’re relaxed, confident, and prepared with listing and sign-in sheets and business cards and free to mingle with your guests.
-
Use this tip:
Create an open house checklist of all the tasks you must do before, during, and after your open house. If you’re short on time, check out my open house checklist.
2. Knock on Doors to Invite the Neighbors
-
Cost:
Free
Door knocking might seem scary, but it’s a historically proven way to become the top agent in your area. The personal connection it offers is hard to beat. Successful door-to-door reps canvass a neighborhood 3x and talk with 90% of the residents. On top of that, an average sales person can create one lead for every 50 doors they knock on.
-
Use this tip:
Ready to learn more? Check out our comprehensive article with door knocking tips and scripts you can use this weekend.
3. Greet Your Guests With Custom-branded Touches
-
Cost:
$2 to $100
Adding small touches to your open house, such as a welcome sign, a business card holder, and a custom doormat, can create a more inviting atmosphere. On top of that, giving branded promotional items such as pens, notepads, or other useful items that guests can take home can provide a great opportunity for connecting with potential buyers while also reinforcing the company’s brand. These personal touches can make a big difference in engaging guests right from the start.
-
Use this tip:
Custom welcome signs are available on Etsy or All Things Real Estate for around $20. Remember to match the style of the sign to your listing. A bold sign like the one above from All Things Real Estate is perfect for a modern home, but a lighter design might work better for a vintage listing.
Marketing & Branding Your Open House
When throwing a killer open house, marketing and branding play a huge role. From making eye-catching promo materials to rocking social media, your marketing game can seriously impact how many people show up and how successful your open house is. In this section, we’ll dish out some essential tips and tricks for getting the word out and polishing your open house’s brand to attract potential leads and get people excited about your properties.
4. Invest in High-quality Open House Marketing Materials
-
Cost:
$40 to $150
Investing in high-quality open house marketing materials is crucial for creating a positive and professional impression on potential buyers. Well-designed marketing materials like open house flyers, brochures, and signage showcase the property effectively and reflect positively on the hosting agent or agency. High-quality materials convey attention to detail, help build trust, and leave a lasting impression for increased engagement and potential leads.
-
Use this tip:
Coffee and Contracts is a real estate marketing company offering thousands of social media templates designed specifically for agents. These include templates for Instagram Reels, carousels, Broke Agent memes, and more. As a subscriber, you’ll access fresh content and new options every month. For more information, read our Coffee and Contracts review.
Pro Tip: If you want to keep it low-key with your personal branding, consider placing your marketing materials next to some snacks and drinks. Even having a small business cardholder near some snacks could catch the eye of potential clients. When you’re meeting with clients, bring along a branded folder for them to use. It’s a subtle way to show that you’re organized and might help them stay organized too.
5. Plan an Open House Day With Other Agents
-
Cost:
Free
Real estate agents should see fellow agents as teammates, not competitors. You can team up with nearby agents for a joint open house day, promoting the event together and attracting more visitors, especially if the listings are similar.
-
Use this tip:
When advertising group open house days, a little creativity can go a long way. Hold a raffle that people can only enter if they visit every home on the list or even try a scavenger hunt for the kids.
6. Hire a Photographer to Take Pictures of Buyer’s Agents & Guests
-
Cost:
Starting at $50 an hour
If you want your fellow real estate agents to like you, think about hiring a photographer to snap some pictures of them in action at your open house. Agents always love having more pics of themselves for social media, and these images can also come in handy for your next listing presentation.
-
Use this tip:
Yeah, hiring a professional photographer is always a good idea if you can afford it. Pros can deliver great results without you figuring it out yourself. But if you want to give it a shot, check out our real estate photography tips for better results.
7. Use QR Codes Creatively
-
Cost:
Free
QR codes have become popular, but many agents still don’t know how to get leads at their open houses. Here are easy ways to use QR codes at your next open house to get more leads:
- Set up an iPad sign-in station using Curb Hero’s QR code creator at the front door or, better yet, on your refreshments table.
- Create a free QR code (using a site like QR Code Generator). Print it onto your welcome sign and ensure the QR code links to your open house sign-in sheet.
- Create QR codes that link to slideshows of each room virtually staged in different themes. Print out the codes on signs and post them in each room with a copy such as, “See this room staged as a home office!”
Speaking of Curb Hero, did you know this real estate software is 100% free for agents? It lets you create QR codes for touchless sign-in, postcards, signs, or anything else.
Enhance Your Open House With Technology
Enhancing your open house with technology is a game changer in today’s real estate scene. Incorporating technology can take your open house to the next level, providing an engaging experience for agents and potential buyers. From virtual tours and interactive floor plans to smart home devices, using tech can really wow visitors and showcase properties in exciting and modern ways.
8. Livestream an Open House Tour, Then Repurpose for Instagram & TikTok
-
Cost:
Free
Livestreaming an open house tour allows potential buyers to see the property in real time, ask questions, and get a sense of the space. Then, sharing the livestream on Instagram and TikTok can help reach a younger audience and make the property more visible on different platforms. This multiplatform approach can create more interest in the property and potentially lead to a quicker sale.
-
Here are some livestream open house tips:
- Promote your in-person open house as much as possible. A video of a home buzzing with guests is much more alluring than one with a few bored-looking people milling around.
- Create and boost a social media post to advertise and boost your virtual open house.
- Send out an email or text blast announcing your virtual open house. Don’t forget to contact other agents in your office or farm area. Even if they’re too busy to attend in person, it might be the perfect home for one of their buyers.
- Use short snippets of the video to market yourself on social media. Record your livestream and cut it into quick-hit videos for Instagram Reels or Stories and TikTok. You can use them as “day in the life” videos or show how your property marketing can fill a room with people!
9. Create a VR Experience
-
Cost:
$25 to $450
Virtual reality (VR) is still super cutting-edge but catching on quickly. That’s why adding it to your open house toolkit can show everyone that you’re a tech-savvy agent. Give visitors a virtual tour of the property or a 3D mockup of potential renovations to help them see the space in a new way.
-
Use this tip:
Snag a decent VR headset and preload it with interactive tours. Play around with it to ensure your visitors won’t run into issues.
10. Virtually Stage a Room & Offer to Text It to Open House Guests
-
Cost:
$7 to $50 per image
Virtual staging for open houses helps potential buyers envision the potential of a space by virtually furnishing and decorating it, making it more appealing. It also allows showcasing different design options and layouts to influence buyer decisions and presents the property in its best light, ultimately attracting more potential buyers.
-
Use this tip:
As you flip through the staged photos on your iPad, offer to email, or better yet, text them the pictures. Or, you can follow my advice above and place signs in each room with QR codes linking to the room virtually staged in different themes. If you don’t have a virtual staging service you like, check out my buyer’s guide. On a budget? Check out Apply Design. Their virtual staging starts at just $7 per picture.
11. Create a Branded Infographic With Neighborhood Info
-
Cost:
Free neighborhood overviews, $30 per detailed report
Creating a branded infographic with all the neighborhood info gives potential buyers all they need to know about the area. You can show off the local amenities, schools, and parks and even throw some fun facts about the neighborhood. Plus, it adds credibility to market trends, property values, and community demographics.
-
Use this tip:
Grab a neighborhood profile for free, take four or five of the most interesting stats, and whip up an infographic in Canva. It’s easier than you think, and your preparation will impress your clients.
Engagement & Networking
Engagement and networking at an open house are crucial for building connections and generating leads. From interacting with visitors to facilitating meaningful conversations, effective engagement and networking strategies can significantly impact the success of your open house event.
12. Practice Open House Scripts to Get Contacts
-
Cost:
Free
Even if you’re a pro at chatting with everyone at an open house, using real estate scripts will still steer your conversations toward getting contact details. So, unless you’re hosting open houses just to make new pals and discuss gardening, practicing scripts will help you gather more leads. Simple as that.
-
Use this tip:
f you want some persuasive scripts to get you started, check out our best open house scripts here. Oh, and don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone you rehearsed them!
13. Focus on Features That Make Your Listing Stand Out
-
Cost:
Free
Sure, all the information is in the listing sheet, but to get people excited about the home, you must subtly remind them of standout features that set it apart from comparable properties. Reminding potential buyers of standout features can pique their interest and make the property more memorable. This creates excitement and differentiates the home from similar properties, potentially leading to higher interest and offers.
-
Use this tip:
When describing a home, focus on three genuinely special features, but don’t force it. If there’s only one outstanding feature, stick to that rather than creating filler. The goal is to highlight what makes the listing unique and memorable. Trying to oversell common features may have a negative impact.
14. Boost Your Open House on Hyperlocal Social Networks
-
Cost:
Free
Advertising your open house on Facebook and Instagram can work well. However, at the end of the day, you’re still paying to reach people who could be hundreds of miles away. Great for brand awareness but lousy for actually getting people through the door. By posting on local Facebook Groups and Nextdoor, you will reach fewer people, but people who almost certainly live in the neighborhood.
-
Use this tip:
Nextdoor and Facebook Groups have some of the most engaged local audiences online today. If you offer trendy food and music or use the other tips above, you might get neighbors talking about your open house for free.
15. Host a Private Open House for Neighbors & Former Clients
-
Cost:
$3 to $5 per guest
If you want to be the top agent in your area, shift your focus to building long-term relationships with local homeowners, including neighbors and past clients. They’re the ones you should pay attention to for future opportunities.
-
Use this tip:
Of course, you must approach the planning and setup of your neighbors-only open house slightly differently. Here are my five tips for successful real estate farming:
- Since you will have fewer guests, spend more on food and refreshments.
- Make sure to mention this private open house in your marketing materials.
- Knock on doors and leave door hangers to invite them.
- Call any former clients who live nearby and offer them an invite.
16. Partner With a Local Brand or Shop
-
Cost:
Free to $500
Experiential marketing is about creating an awesome experience for local influencers to talk about, which helps draw them in. But to keep them interested, you need something more than just a cool backyard. Partnering with a local company or brand, like a boutique, restaurant, mixology bar, music school, or art gallery, can excite your open houses and get people chatting. Plus, the brands you team up with might even promote your event on their social media, reaching a whole new audience for your business.
-
Use this tip:
Find businesses that align with your target market, define clear objectives, create an engaging experience, cross-promote the event, and show appreciation afterward. These steps can help you build successful partnerships and enhance open house events.
17. Hold Other Agents’ Open Houses & Make It a Win-Win!
-
Cost:
Free to $500
If you’re an agent specializing in a neighborhood but don’t have any listings, don’t stress out! You can always ask other listing agents in your area if you can hold their open houses. I saw it as an extra service for my seller.
-
Use this tip:
To make this open house idea benefit the listing agent, agree to pay them a 10% referral fee for any client you pick up from the open house. If they don’t object, use your branded open house signs to build your brand in the neighborhood further.
18. Set Up a Financial Consultation Area
-
Cost:
Free
If you’re an agent sBuyers have questions about mortgages, down payments, and how much they can afford—especially with these rates. Have a lender tag along to your next open house. They can keep you company and provide visitors with advice. It’s a win-win for both of you since creating that financial relationship can be the first step for buyers.pecializing in a neighborhood but don’t have any listings, don’t stress out! You can always ask other listing agents in your area if you can hold their open houses. I saw it as an extra service for my seller.
-
Use this tip:
Set up the area with comfortable chairs and a desk. Try to keep it separate from the main space for privacy. You can even offer some financial FAQs for buyers to grab and read later.
Hospitality & Amenities
When it comes to open house hospitality, it’s all about making guests feel at home. Offering snacks, cozy seating, and helpful info can really make people feel welcome. By creating a chill and friendly vibe, hosts can leave a great impression on potential clients.
19. Offer Neighbors Goodie Bags With Your Business Card
-
Cost:
$1 to $3 each
Running a successful open house is a great way to meet the neighbors. Consider hosting a private open house just for neighbors and offer free goodie bags with your business card stapled to them. Fill them with popular neighborhood treats like candy, cupcakes, or popcorn.
-
Use this tip:
On Etsy, you can get these adorable “thanks for popping by!” goodie bags with satin ribbons and a business card holder. Are business cards not quite ready for prime time? Check out our list of the best business cards for some inspiration.
20. Serve Trendy Food & Drinks That Spark Conversation
-
Cost:
$1 to $3 per serving
Nothing quite like the cozy, welcoming vibe of fresh-baked cookies greeting your guests at the door. But if you want to get folks chatting, think about serving up some food and drinks, which will spark conversations. When the conversation starts to flow, so do the connections.
-
Use this tip:
Try serving up open house food like kiwi mojito mocktails or baked treats that always have a line at the local bakery on Sunday mornings. This will give your guests a great reason to chat and mingle. Remember, the goal isn’t to show off your cooking or mixology skills but to make it easy for everyone to break the ice and start conversations.
21. Get a Junior Agent to Check In Guests While You Mingle
-
Cost:
$17 to $80 per hour
When you have many RSVPs, frantically running around to check people in, refill drinks, and answer questions about the event can be very stressful—and not a good look in front of potential clients! Checking people in is a task where getting help can make a big difference. If you’re stuck at the front door checking people in, mingling and connecting with your guests is almost impossible. Also, consider utilizing an open house app to to take your open houses to the next level.
-
Use this tip:
To avoid coming across as a frazzled server at Denny’s, get a junior agent to help you keep things running smoothly. Find $50 or so to have someone cover the door for an hour or two. You won’t regret it.
22. Invest in a Bootie Machine
-
Cost:
Starting at $40
Big chains like Trader Joe’s offer free coffee to all their shoppers. It costs them a few bucks, but the payoff in customer loyalty is enormous. As a listing agent, going the extra mile with little touches, like a bootie machine for your seller, is part of your job. It shows that you care about their happiness and can lead to your next referral.
-
Use this tip:
Want an even better reason? Having a “bootie machine” will help you keep the house clean for your sellers. You can get a well-reviewed bootie machine for around $40 on Amazon.
23. Childcare Corner
-
Cost:
Free
Parents can sometimes find it challenging to focus on their open house while trying to keep an eye on their kids. Make their visit to your open house more relaxed and enjoyable, even if only for a few minutes.
-
Use this tip:
Set up a play area with toys, coloring books, and kid-friendly shows. Consider hiring a babysitter for young families and putting up a sign for the kids’ corner.
24. Offer Custom Water Bottles Branded With Your Business Card
-
Cost:
Starting at 45 cents each, in bulk Looking for a creative way to give your open house guests your business card? Check out these cute water bottle hang tags from Etsy that, to be honest, I’m a little bit obsessed with. They’re way cheaper than most custom-branded water bottles, and the ability to add your business card makes them even more useful.
-
Use this tip:
Grab different colors to match your brand or the season. These are perfect to offer your guests as a to-go item on a hot day.
Going the Extra Mile
Putting in the extra effort at your open house can really make a difference. When hosting an open house, finding unique ways to impress potential buyers and leave a lasting impression is key. From organizing charity activities to partnering with local artists, these thoughtful touches can set your open house apart and help you generate valuable leads.
25. Raise Money for Charity at Your Open House
-
Cost:
Free
Being a leader in your community is all part of the job of a real estate agent. It’s not just about selling houses; it’s also about positively impacting the community. Think about it this way: If you were selling your own home, wouldn’t you prefer working with an agent known for giving back to the community?
-
Use this tip:
How about organizing a charity raffle or silent auction during an open house to raise money for a good cause? You could also pledge to donate a part of your commission from any sales made during the event to a chosen charity. Another idea is to set up a donation booth or pledge drive so that visitors can contribute directly to the charity.
26. Give Out Small Branded Gifts as Party Favors
-
Cost:
$2 to $5 per branded gift
While I recommend against giving branded items as closing gifts, they are also perfect for open houses. Your open house guests probably don’t know you from Adam, so a small gift they might like or use with your brand on it helps keep you at the top of their minds.
-
Use this tip:
Give small branded gifts to your open house visitors so they will take something home that they will actually keep. Consider useful items like dishtowels, potholders, compact mirrors, or change purses.
27. Local Art Showcase
-
Cost:
Free
Local artists are always on the lookout for opportunities to display their work. By featuring their pieces at your open house, you’ll get some cool staging and visual charm for free while building a sense of community. It’s also a great way to spark conversations!
-
Use this tip:
Contact some local artists and offer to display their work. Ensure you’ve got a specific area for the art and cards for the artist so your visitors can learn more.
28. Contests & Giveaways
-
Cost:
Free to $50
Hosting a giveaway can increase your attendance immediately. People love free stuff! It adds a fun twist to your open house, even if it’s just a simple raffle or more elaborate content like a scavenger hunt.
-
Use this tip:
Keep the contest relevant to the property or neighborhood. For instance, make the prize a gift card to a local restaurant. Or you could do something interactive like asking guests to find the three small red stickers you’ve placed around the house for a prize. This is an easy and creative way to grab visitor’s contact info too.
Post-open House Activities
After a great open house, it’s time to keep the ball rolling with some post-event activities. This could involve sending personalized follow-up emails, making friendly calls to thank the attendees, and sharing additional info about the featured properties. These activities help nurture relationships with potential clients and can increase the chances of turning leads into successful sales.
29. Follow-up With All Guests
-
Cost:
Starting at $350 per month
Like all lead generation strategies, the follow-up is crucial. The only problem is determining who you must follow up with and how often. If you want to compete with the big dogs, guessing won’t cut it anymore.
-
Use this tip:
Luckily, I have predictive analytics apps like SmartZip that use artificial intelligence (AI) and a billion data points to tell who is likely to move before they even think about an agent. SmartZip says its AI is so accurate that it predicted 72% of all listings in the US last year.
30. Use Open House Follow-up Email Templates to Engage New Leads
-
Cost:
Free
While getting emails and phone numbers at your open house is great, you might as well not bother if you can’t keep them engaged until they’re ready to transact. While some CRMs offer done-for-you drip campaigns to add them to, that first email you send is crucial. If they don’t open it, your odds of ever talking to them again go down dramatically.
-
Use this tip:
Writing great subject lines for your open house follow-up emails is crucial. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Here are five clever email subject lines you can use to increase the odds of getting your email read:
- Your Private Invite: Get the Best Listings BEFORE They Hit the Market!
- Coffee This Week? (on me)
- I Have to Ask…
- Did You Hate It…?
- If You Liked {your open house address}, You’ll LOVE These!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to make an open house stand out?
To make your open house really pop, think about using cool open house themes, setting up fun activities, offering yummy snacks, using top-notch marketing materials, and sending personalized invites to potential buyers and neighbors. These ideas for an open house can help make your event super memorable and draw in more potential buyers.
What draws people to an open house?
There are lots of reasons why people like going to open houses. Some people check them out because they’re interested in buying a new place, while others go to get ideas for their own home or just because they’re curious about the local real estate scene. Open houses are also a good chance to chat with real estate agents and get info about the homebuying process.
How do I get more people to an open house?
You can try many tricks if you want more folks to come to an open house. Like putting it out there on social media, doing some specific online ads, handing out flyers around the neighborhood, and emailing potential buyers. Also, you could team up with local businesses and real estate agents to help get the word out. And don’t forget, offering snacks or little freebies can make the open house more attractive to potential buyers.
How do I style my home for an open house?
Don’t forget to tidy up your home before opening the house, make the outside look nice, let in as much natural light as possible, show off any cool features, and make the place welcoming with good lighting and nice smells.
Bringing It All Together
Open house ideas provide a valuable resource for real estate agents. By using the tips in this article, you can create a welcoming atmosphere that attracts potential buyers and ensures successful open house events. This can significantly help you make a mark in a competitive market and establish strong relationships with potential clients. Do you have some effective open house ideas for realtors that are working for you?
Tell us about you so we know what to send.
