When you’re selling a home, first impressions are everything. An open house is one of the most effective tools in your real estate arsenal. It’s a chance to showcase your property, generate buzz and potentially receive multiple offers—all in just one afternoon.
But hosting a successful open house involves more than cleaning the kitchen and putting up a sign. It requires preparation, strategy and a partner who understands what it takes to sell a home in today’s market.
This complete guide will walk you through how to host a highly effective open house and why working with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services ensures your home stands out from the crowd.
Why Open Houses Still Work in the Digital Age
With online listings, 3D tours and social media marketing, some sellers question whether open houses are still relevant. The truth? Open houses complement digital marketing. While buyers often find homes online, many still want to walk through a property before making an offer.
Benefits of Hosting an Open House:
- Increased Exposure: Attract both serious buyers and walk-in visitors who may not schedule a private showing.
- Buyer Convenience: Prospective buyers can visit without appointments, allowing for a casual, no pressure tour.
- Emotional Engagement: Being in the space helps buyers visualize living in the home and creates a stronger connection.
- Immediate Feedback: You and your agent can gather insights into how buyers perceive your home.
Open houses remain especially powerful in hot markets or when launching a new listing. At Howard Hanna, we use open houses as a cornerstone of a comprehensive home-selling strategy.
Step 1: Hire an Experienced Real Estate Agent
Your agent is your partner in success—and a good one will handle every element of your open house. A Howard Hanna agent provides local knowledge, expert marketing and a results-driven approach that sets your home up to sell.
What Your Agent Does:
- Evaluates market conditions and recommends a competitive list price
- Suggests prelisting improvements and staging ideas
- Schedules, hosts and promotes your open house
- Follows up with prospective buyers to drive offers
Find your Howard Hanna agent today to begin the process with professional support.
Step 2: Choose the Right Timing
The best time for your open house depends on your market, neighborhood and buyer demographics. Your agent will help you determine the ideal time, but here are some general guidelines:
- Sunday afternoons (1:00 – 4:00 p.m.) are the most popular
- Avoid holidays or major local events
- Consider twilight open houses on weekdays for high-end properties
- Plan your open house within the first week of going on the market for maximum impact
Want even more exposure? Howard Hanna’s Mega Open House events promote listings across multiple platforms simultaneously to boost attendance.
Step 3: Prepare Your Home Thoroughly
An open house is your home’s chance to shine—every detail counts. Preparing your home is critical to making a great first impression that translates to offers.
Declutter, Clean, and Depersonalize
- Clear countertops, shelves and tables of personal items
- Pack away family photos and knick-knacks to create a blank slate
- Remove pet items, extra shoes or kids’ toys
- Deep clean every surface—floors, windows, baseboards and even light switches
Professional cleaners are worth the investment, especially if you’re short on time.
Boost Curb Appeal
Your home’s exterior is the first thing buyers see. Make it count:
- Mow the lawn, trim hedges and add fresh mulch
- Wash siding, sidewalks and driveways
- Paint the front door and clean windows
- Replace or polish house numbers and exterior lighting
Stage Each Room with Purpose
Staging helps buyers imagine the lifestyle your home offers. Whether you hire a professional or use guidance from your agent, every room should have a clear function.
- Highlight features like fireplaces, window seats or built-ins
- Arrange furniture to maximize space and flow
- Add fresh flowers, fruit bowls or coffee table books for finishing touches
Not sure where to start? Read our staging tips or ask your Howard Hanna agent for custom recommendations.
Step 4: Promote Your Open House Strategically
Marketing is everything. Your open house won’t draw a crowd unless people know about it. Howard Hanna uses a multi-platform strategy to make sure your listing is seen by as many qualified buyers as possible.
Where We Market Open Houses:
- HowardHanna.com: One of the most visited brokerage websites in the U.S.
- MLS exposure: Automatically syndicates to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia and others
- Social media: Customized Facebook and Instagram posts, stories and event pages
- Email marketing: Email blasts to other agents and buyer leads
- Print materials: Eyecatching flyers and brochures to distribute locally
- Directional signage: Branded yard signs and street arrows to guide traffic
The result? More eyes on your property—and more feet through the door.
Step 5: Perfect the Day-Of Experience
On the day of your open house, your home needs to feel welcoming, warm and move-in ready.
Set the Mood:
- Open windows or blinds to bring in natural light
- Turn on lights in every room, even during the day
- Adjust the thermostat to a comfortable setting
- Play soft background music to create ambiance
- Bake cookies or use subtle air fresheners for a clean, inviting scent
Provide Takeaway Materials:
Make it easy for buyers to remember your home with:
- Custom brochures featuring property details and photos
- Floor plans, neighborhood highlights and school info
- Mortgage info from Howard Hanna Mortgage Services
- Contact info for your listing agent
Use a Digital Sign-In Sheet:
Have visitors sign in using a tablet or QR code to capture their:
- Name
- Email
- Agent affiliation
- Feedback
Your Howard Hanna agent will follow up with qualified leads, answer questions and schedule private showings.
Step 6: Post-Open House Follow-Up
The open house is only half the job. The real magic happens after your guests leave.
Your Howard Hanna agent will:
- Call or email every visitor to gauge interest
- Share buyer feedback with you to inform any adjustments
- Schedule private tours for serious buyers
- Guide you through any offers that come in
This follow-up is key to turning interest into action.
Pro Tips to Make Your Open House Stand Out
Want to leave a lasting impression? Try these advanced tactics:
Host a Themed Open House
Add a memorable twist:
- Coffee & Donuts Sunday
- Wine & Cheese Twilight Tour
- Family Fun Day with coloring books or snacks for kids
Themes make your home more inviting and memorable.
Highlight Local Perks
Create a “Living Here” station with brochures about:
- Local restaurants and attractions
- School ratings and community groups
- Transit options and walking trails
Offer Virtual Access
Can’t attend in person? Your Howard Hanna agent can host a virtual open house with live or recorded tours to reach out-of-town buyers.
How Howard Hanna Makes Open Houses Easy
With over 65 years of experience, Howard Hanna has helped thousands of sellers successfully prepare and host open houses that deliver results.
What sets us apart?
- The #1 family-owned real estate company in the U.S.
- Full-service offerings under one roof: mortgage, insurance, title, relocation and more
- One of the largest networks of real estate agents and offices in the country
- Innovative tools like our Buy Before You Sell and Find It First® programs
With Howard Hanna, you’re never alone in your home-selling journey.
Step 7: Understand Buyer Psychology
An open house isn’t just about showcasing your home’s features—it’s about creating a psychological experience that appeals to your target buyer. Understanding how buyers think can give you a significant advantage.
Create a Lifestyle Narrative
Buyers don’t just buy homes—they buy aspirations. Use your open house to present a lifestyle:
- If your home has a home office, set it up with a sleek desk, laptop and stylish chair to signal productivity.
- Showcase outdoor spaces as relaxing retreats with patio furniture and soft lighting.
- Highlight a breakfast nook with a cozy coffee setup to evoke warm, homey mornings.
Your Howard Hanna agent will help you determine the most appealing features for your specific market and design the open house narrative accordingly.
Anticipate Objections
Buyers will walk through your home with questions—and objections. Prepare by:
- Fixing minor repairs that could create hesitation (leaky faucet, squeaky door, etc.)
- Having answers to common concerns ready (e.g., how old is the roof? What are the utility costs?)
- Offering upgrade suggestions (e.g., “The kitchen is fully functional, but many owners in this neighborhood have opted to add granite countertops.”)
Howard Hanna agents are trained to listen for objections during open houses and address them proactively, often turning a “maybe” into a “yes.”
Step 8: Leverage Open House Feedback to Improve
Even if you don’t receive an immediate offer after your open house, the feedback you gather can be invaluable.
Post-Open House Evaluation Checklist:
- Which rooms did people linger in most?
- What were the most common compliments?
- What concerns were repeated by multiple visitors?
- Was traffic consistent throughout the event, or did it spike at a certain time?
Howard Hanna agents often provide a written feedback report after your open house, outlining:
- Buyer reactions
- Agent impressions
- Suggested next steps (price adjustments, staging tweaks, etc.)
This real-time market data can help refine your strategy and position your home for faster sale.
Step 9: Combine Open Houses with Digital Tools
A modern open house doesn’t end when the last visitor leaves. Digital integration can extend the reach of your event to thousands of potential buyers.
Use These Tools to Maximize Your Exposure:
- Virtual tours: Allow online viewers to explore your home anytime.
- Facebook Live open houses: Stream real-time walkthroughs to remote buyers.
- Instagram Reels and TikTok: Short, engaging video clips can capture attention.
- 360-degree photos: Embedded in listings on HowardHanna.com and Zillow.
Howard Hanna agents are trained in using these digital tools as part of our integrated multi-channel marketing approach. Your listing will reach buyers wherever they are—online or offline.
Step 10: Integrate with Other Services for a Seamless Sale
When you work with Howard Hanna, your open house is just one part of a larger, full-service ecosystem designed to make your transaction smooth and successful.
Here’s how our in-house services come into play:
Howard Hanna Mortgage Services
- Pre-qualify buyers attending your open house
- Provide on-site or virtual consultations to interested visitors
- Offer financing options through our “One-Stop Shopping” model
Barristers Title & Escrow
- Ensure a clear title
- Coordinate closing paperwork for a streamlined settlement
Howard Hanna Insurance Services
- Provide competitive quotes for homebuyers
- Bundle services to save your buyers time and money
By integrating these services into the open house and follow-up process, we help buyers move faster—benefiting you as a seller.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long should an open house last?
Typically, two to three hours is ideal for an open house. It’s long enough to attract steady traffic, but short enough to keep energy high. Your Howard Hanna agent will advise based on local norms.
Should I leave during the open house?
Yes. Buyers are more comfortable when the seller isn’t present. Your agent will handle everything professionally.
What if my home doesn’t get any visitors?
It happens occasionally. If it does, your agent will reassess the marketing strategy, pricing or scheduling and try again with a revised approach.
How many open houses should I do?
Some homes sell after one open house; others benefit from hosting multiple over several weekends. Your Howard Hanna agent will track buyer interest and recommend a timeline that fits your goals.
Final Thoughts: Your Open House, Your Opportunity
A well-executed open house is your home’s moment to shine. It’s your opportunity to:
- Tell your home’s story
- Connect emotionally with buyers
- Create momentum that leads to offers
With expert preparation, professional guidance and the powerful marketing engine of Howard Hanna behind you, your open house becomes more than an event—it becomes a strategic turning point in your sale.
Ready to Host an Open House That Sells? Let us help you make it happen.
