Have you listed your home for sale and want to show it to as many interested buyers as possible in a short amount of time? Open houses are one of the easiest ways to get your home the exposure it needs. Open houses can be incredibly beneficial in getting your home seen and sold—if they’re done right. Here are some tips on how to schedule one with your experienced Cold Springs Harbor and Long Island/Suffolk County real estate agent.
Devise a schedule
After deciding that you want to host an open house, you need to strategically choose a day and time that has the potential to bring the most people into your home. This means planning the open house for a day that is likely to work for the most prospective buyers’ schedules. With that in mind, the best time to hold an open house is typically on the weekend.
If you host your open house on the weekend, you’re more likely to gain interest from those who are busy with work or family activities during weeknights. When selecting a time on the weekend, it is usually best to host your open house in the early afternoon, as many people like to sleep in after a busy week. Many times, open houses are scheduled in blocks during the day; for example, you might host your open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then again from 3 to 5 p.m.
While weekend showings will likely garner the most foot traffic, hosting an open house on the weekdays is always another option. You may gain interest from certain buyers who prefer to leave their weekends open for spending time with family, travel, or recreational activities. Since many prospective buyers work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., it is usually advisable to schedule the open house for the after-work hours. For example, consider hosting your open house between 5 and 7 p.m. so prospective buyers can stop by after work but before it starts getting dark.
Ultimately, the best time and day to schedule the open house is the one that works best for you, your real estate agent, and prospective home buyers. Your agent will be well-versed in the local market and have a solid idea of when buyers are most active.
Ultimately, the best time and day to schedule the open house is the one that works best for you, your real estate agent, and prospective home buyers. Your agent will be well-versed in the local market and have a solid idea of when buyers are most active.
Consider events in the neighborhood
When planning for your open house, don’t forget to look at the local events calendar to avoid any scheduling conflict. If you host your open house during popular community events, you might risk a low turnout because all of your buyers are occupied with local festivities or other events.
For instance, in Cold Spring Harbor, many Shakespeare festivals, county fairs, and theater events occur throughout the year. Therefore, you should avoid scheduling your open house during these events, as it could adversely affect the turnout.
You should also consider your home’s proximity to any local schools. If your neighborhood is close to a public school, you might expect more traffic as parents pick up and drop off their kids at certain times in the early morning and afternoon. You can thus schedule your open house after school drop-off so families can stop by.
Because many home buyers like to visit multiple open houses in one day, consider coordinating your open house so that it is hosted at the same time as others in the neighborhood. Your agent will have insight into this! This way, buyers will be more motivated to attend your open house along with touring the other homes, as they will have the chance to walk through many prospective Cold Spring Harbor and Suffolk County homes for sale without feeling pressure to buy. Furthermore, they can compare and contrast the amenities and architectural features of each home to help determine what they are looking for in their dream property.
Watch out for scheduling conflicts
When was the last time you watched a major sporting event? Whether you are an enthusiastic fan or a passive sports observer, you probably don’t want to miss it–and many of your potential buyers will likely be in the same boat.
Always keep national and regional sporting events in mind when scheduling open houses. Try not to schedule your open house during these times, as it is likely that many buyers will not show up. Instead, consider scheduling your open house before or after the sporting event or choose another day.
Another thing you need to consider is the weather. You do not want to schedule an event during heavy rain or snow, as many home buyers will avoid traveling during inclement weather. Watch and keep up to date with the weekly and monthly forecasts so that you are better aware of the current weather conditions. Keep an eye out for any impending thunderstorms, snowstorms, and hail, as these factors could adversely affect the event's turnout. Ideally, you want to schedule your open house on a day that has beautiful weather. After all, when buyers visit your home on a beautiful day with plenty of natural light and no overcast clouds, your home will look all the more beautiful. This can improve its appeal and increase the buyers’ overall satisfaction.
Create demand
One of the keys to hosting a successful open house is to create demand. You want prospective buyers to see the increased interest in your home. That is why you should consider scheduling your open house within a small time frame. For example, scheduling your open house between 1 and 3 p.m. will bring considerable foot traffic all at once, making the open house appear busier. However, if you opt for an open house that lasts all day, you can expect people to meander in at different times, which will ultimately show less demand. Showing buyers that your luxury home is hot, trending, and desirable will help create excitement and ultimately entice people to make an offer.
Consider private showings
Instead of a public open house, you might consider scheduling an exclusive open house for interested home buyers. A public open house will often invite many people into your home— even those who might not be ready or interested in buying a home yet. However, hosting a private open house will invite only those who are likely to actually make an offer. Your real estate agent will use their extensive network of connections to send invites to prospective buyers who are ready to buy a home now. By only inviting a group of interested home buyers, you can focus your open house on interested parties and allocate resources toward selling your home much faster.
Ready to list your home for sale in the Cold Spring Harbor or surrounding area real estate market? Contact knowledgeable real estate agent Kate Works, who can provide expert guidance on the local luxury real estate market. Because of her strong work ethic and can-do attitude, Kate consistently sells over 50 homes a year and offers top-tier service to sell properties quickly and for top dollar. You could be next!
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