Before the pandemic, the open house was the most effective way to meet qualified buyers and get them to take action faster. One reason why Homesale Realty stands out in the post-COVID era is our ability to mix and match conventional and virtual open houses to get the best results.

As a rising real estate agent, an open house may seem like a lot of work – but it can cut weeks or even months off your timeline to sell a home. The investment in time and effort is worth it, and once you're used to the process, it will come naturally to you.

Now is a forgiving time for developing your open house skills. Sellers' markets give you the laboratory you need to test and refine your approach, while buyers' markets put you to the test. The sooner you get started, the easier it'll be to tackle a changing real estate market with confidence.

Let's take a look behind the curtain at some of the best ways to make open houses work:

• Resolve to Hold an Open House Every Week
  Like anything else, open houses take practice and experience. The best way to get there – and to see the rapid results you really want—is to schedule an open house every week. Use social media and contacts in the community to spread the word. Work other agents' open houses if you have no current listings.
• Attend Others' Open Houses to Learn More
  You should attend open houses whenever possible to see things from the other perspective. This is especially crucial for honing your knowledge of the local market. When you're giving an open house presentation, it helps to compare the property to what else is available in the area.
• Record Your Open Houses for the Virtual Touch
  Traditionally, a virtual open house is a live event that people tune into through Zoom or another video platform at a given time. But you can get the best of both worlds when you record face-to-face open houses and post them online. Email any "no-shows" from the event so they can see it, too!
• Pre-Tour and Pre-Plan
  A day or two before your open house, walk through the home and check out each room. Do any last-minute staging and coordinate with your seller (who, ideally, should not be present during the event.) Taking it slowly allows you to organize any specific selling points you want to call out.
• Offer Local "Goodie Bags"
  Even if many of your open house guests are from within 50 miles, a giveaway bag with local flair helps cement your status as the neighborhood expert. Do it well, and you'll have many conversation starters and branded items to keep you "top of mind." That makes following up later on even easier.
• Invite the Neighbors
  In the old days, many real estate agents were frustrated by neighbors who seemed unlikely to be serious buyers. Recruiting them to your side is actually your best bet! After all, they may be interested in selling or know the perfect buyer in their family or friends group, someone who'll be glad to move nearby.
• Figure Out What Worked and What Didn't
  After open houses, take notes so you remember exactly what went well and what needs improvement. Just notice that your perception might differ from those of your guests! Try to get attendee feedback whenever possible. When open houses lead to a sale, the buyer can be a valuable font of information.

Contact BHHS Homesale Realty today to find out more or get started.