If you’re a real estate agent looking for new ways to attract potential buyers, one thing to consider is hosting an open house.
But don’t think about having just any open house. Instead, you should consider hosting a mega open house.
With so many properties on the market, standing out and drawing in a crowd can be challenging.
Open houses are one of the most essential aspects of real estate sales. They allow potential buyers to glimpse the property and envision themselves living there.
However, hosting a successful open house takes more than just listing the property online and putting up a few signs.
To make your open house a success, you need to think outside the box and develop creative ways to attract potential buyers.
Incorporating simple but effective tricks can guarantee a higher turnout and increase your chances of selling the property.
What is a Mega Open House?
The first thing to dominate the real estate game with open houses is understanding what a mega open house is.
Real estate agents use mega open houses to generate interest in a home. This type of event differs from ordinary open houses because it draws a much larger crowd due to the extra efforts taken by the agent.
For example, to make the event attractive, they may add entertainment and serve delicious food or have a theme like a taco truck and margarita machine that is sure to have people looking forward to attending.
Doing so can significantly increase attendance and draw potential buyers that didn’t plan on attending the event, but only if you plan it correctly, which means promoting it.
The Goal Of A Mega Open House Event
The primary objective of having a mega open house weekend is not only to generate an immediate sale but also to increase awareness of oneself as a real estate agent.
Drawing in a crowd is an effective marketing tool and allows agents to build relationships with potential buyers, sellers, and other agents, all invaluable resources in growing your business.
Additionally, having such an event gives real estate agents a chance to stand out from other professionals within the same geographic farm market area.
Hosting a high-profile open house speaks volumes about one’s skills and knowledge in the industry because it takes confidence to put something like this together well.
After all, it only takes one experience for one person in attendance out of hundreds who show up to your event, which could make all the difference between establishing yourself as a highly competent professional or remaining unknown as just another real estate agent.
In other words, open houses may get a lead, but mega open houses benefit agents who wish to maximize their exposure and increase the potential of selling a home quickly.
Additionally, these events often become networking opportunities where people can meet new contacts in their industry, generating long-term business relationships beyond just the sale of one house.
As such, participating in or hosting this type of event can benefit both sides of a real estate transaction, buyers and sellers alike.
The Best Tips For Having A Mega Open House
Hosting a mega open house is essential for anyone looking to sell their property fast and for agents to generate a lot of organic growth.
One of the best ways to attract potential buyers is by using social media platforms such as Instagram or Facebook to promote your event. For example, create an engaging “film” of you standing in front of or touring the home that you can use on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media accounts to pique interest before the event.
Consider running commercials or ads on social media platforms, like paid political messages on Facebook, to build an even more significant presence.
Create a virtual tour of your home, highlighting its best features and providing potential buyers an opportunity to look closer.
Ensure your house is clean, organized, and smells good, and offer refreshments to your visitors.
Finally, be prepared to answer any questions potential buyers may have and try to make a lasting impression if you want to secure a successful sale.
And don’t forget about non-digital marketing.
Putting signs around the neighborhood and near your property is still an effective way to get people’s attention to an upcoming event like a mega open house.
This may also reach out to potential buyers who need to be more engaged in online conversations or members of Facebook groups regarding real estate.
Inviting lenders to join the open house can also benefit you and your business partner.
For example, lenders have contacts who may be interested in learning more about what you offer and might even supply refreshments for everyone who attends, so you should consider co-branding the open house with them to generate even more buzz.
In addition, get creative with the content you share online – highlight unique features in brief but captivating videos on Instagram or feature snippets of the order seamless viewers would have if they visit your open house in tweets.
What To Do Before The Mega Open House
The weekend of the event is the perfect time to focus on creating an inviting atmosphere for potential buyers and sellers.
Prepare by hiring an assistant or vendor to handle food and activities that you won't need to be involved with while you connect directly with your guests.
Then, when it is time to open the doors, welcome everyone with a warm greeting, and don’t stop circulating throughout the event.
Remember, these people are more than just potential customers; they could have been visiting for fun and entertainment, not necessarily needing your services right then.
By talking to them personally and handing out business cards, you can create lasting connections that may lead each visitor back in your direction when they are ready to make those real estate deals.
But before you reach the opening, there are a few steps to take before your mega open house is a surefire hit.
1. More Than A Week Before
When promoting an open house, it’s essential to plan, so start generating hype for the event 7-10 days before the open house; creating a home brochure, video of the home, and launching a landing page will help.
The brochure should have high-quality images to capture people’s attention, while the video should showcase home features that can’t be conveyed through a brochure. Additionally, having an accompanying website where people can register and learn more about the open house is extremely helpful in getting leads.
Finally, running Facebook Ads with photos of the home and an invitation to come to the event is a great way to broadcast information in your local community.
This allows you to reach all kinds of potential buyers who might only have been aware of your open house with these custom campaigns tailored toward them.
2. 5 Days Before The Open
The idea of Circle Calling is a great way to spread the word and inform potential clients about an upcoming open house event.
The task involves targeting 200-800 homes in the immediate area around the open house and calling them to inform them of your scheduled event.
Several platforms, such as REDX, Mojo, and Cole Resources, can help you obtain their contact information quickly.
If your time is limited, you can get help from an assistant or other team members when making the call.
3. 1-2 Days Before
One of the most critical aspects of successfully marketing an open house is to start at least two to four days before the event.
First, you should use your equipment or hire a professional videographer to create a video highlighting all of the home's features and any pricing information.
This can then be posted on YouTube, Facebook, or classified ad websites to get as much exposure as possible.
Additionally, obtaining a Rate Card from your lender that explains different loan programs and estimated monthly payments will help people understand exactly what they are getting into when inquiring about the home.
Finally, be sure to hand deliver at least 100 to 200 open house flyers to each neighbor for them to receive an invitation directly from their friends or family.
Taking this approach will also allow you to meet with your potential buyers and get feedback on your property without being overly “salesy.”
4. Have a Lead Capture System in Place
A lead capture system for your mega open house is essential for success. A lead capture system helps you to collect valuable information about the people interested in your property.
This can be done by having iPads and tablets set up around the home for guests to request more information or view a virtual tour of your home. You also could provide incentives such as free consultations or discounts when they register their contact info.
Another option is using a landing page where guests can RSVP in advance, and this approach would allow you to gain access to the attendees’ contact information even before they arrive at your event.
By having this lead capture system in place, you will be able to follow up with each attendee after the mega open house has concluded.
You will have a list of names and contact info for prospective buyers and investors already interested in your property, eliminating much of the guesswork associated with finding leads.
This function will save time and eliminate much potential confusion since everyone who visits will be accounted for, allowing you to track their progress through the sales funnel better and build long-term relationships with them.
After The Mega Open House
After the mega open house is completed, the key is following up with every prospect and lead. Don’t be discouraged, the goal was to expose your brand and reputation, so if you don’t get a deal right away, it’s ok. You came out with plenty of new sources to follow up with.
