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Open house: your home on stage

An open house is your chance to show the home to many buyers at once – and create competition. Success is decided before the door opens: preparation. Here's your plan from planning to follow-up.

Before the open house

Give the home the full treatment: cleaning, tidying, staging (see the guides). Arrange parking and signs. Prepare an info pack: price, ownership costs, energy label, BBR, floor plan – ideally printed.

Hold the open house on a weekend 1–3 pm – that's when most buyers are active.

The atmosphere

Light, warmth and calm work wonders. Turn on all lamps, open the curtains, comfortable temperature. Soft, neutral music in the background. Avoid strong food smells; bake something that smells like home or put out a fruit bowl.

The reception

Welcome people at the door with a short introduction (age, the best feature, what's new). Let people explore at their own pace. Be available but don't follow them around – let them talk freely. Answer honestly about condition, neighbors and ownership costs.

Collect and follow up

Have a guest book/contact list where visitors can leave their details – it gives you permission to follow up. Send a friendly message the same day or the next: thank them, ask if they have questions. Quick follow-up keeps interest warm.

Safety

Lock cabinets, drawers, sheds and basement rooms containing valuables. Remove jewelry, cash and documents. Avoid being alone with a single guest in a room; keep an eye on locked rooms. Collect contact details from all visitors.

After the open house

Collect feedback: What did people ask about? Did anything recur (parking, noise, price)? Consider adjusting price or marketing. Follow up with everyone interested and book private viewings – those are often the serious buyers.

Open house checklist

  • Cleaned, tidied and staged (all rooms incl. garage/basement)
  • Signs on the road and at the entrance
  • Parking secured – possibly a note to neighbors
  • Info pack + guest book/contact list
  • Lamps on, curtains open, music low, temperature fine
  • Valuables locked away, cabinets and sheds locked
  • Follow-up plan ready