32 Smart Open House Ideas for Generating Quality Leads
Open homes are a fantastic way for realtors to show off homes, meet potential buyers, and develop their popularity. Even though 97% of homebuyers are trying to find online, according to the National Association of REALTORS®, open house ideas convey a few aspects in particular: the chance for buyers to walk through a home, sense its vibe, and keep in mind residing there. For realtors, these activities are pleasant for finding new customers, showing expertise, and selling the property.
Your real estate open house ideas will work if you plan them, add some creativity, and follow up well. This book gives you 32 creative open house ideas that will get people to come, keep them interested, and eventually turn them into customers.
Table of Contents
Why Open Houses Matter
Open houses aren’t just a way to show off a house; they’re also a way to meet potential buyers and build your brand. According to the NAR’s poll of home buyers, half of them, mostly younger buyers, go to open houses. While online tours are great, open houses are even better because buyers can see the room, check out the neighborhood, and talk to you about what makes the area unique.
These are the goals of ideas for an open house:
- Finding leads: Get guests’ contact information so you can follow up with them later.
- Promoting your brand means showing that you are a real estate agent who knows the market.
- To sell the house, stress the best parts of the property to attract buyers.
Let’s look at 32 ways to sell your open house that will make your event stand out.
Getting ready: Making plans for your open house
Good open house ideas begin with good planning. Ready your house, get the word out, and make guests feel welcome with these tips.
1. Find Out About the Market Near You
Know the area around your home to make it look great. Don’t just look at homes for sale online; see other nearby homes to get an idea of their prices, features, and condition. This helps you show buyers why your house is unique and shows that you know what you’re talking about.
Tip: Make a simple map that compares homes in the same area to show guests. Talk about other homes you’re selling that do have big yards if your own doesn’t.
Why It Works: Buyers want a real estate agent who knows the area, which is why this works. One of the best open house ideas is to show that you’ve researched the company to earn their trust.
How to Do It: A week before, look at three to five houses for sale in the area. Write down what’s specific about them, like if one has a bigger kitchen or floors that are more modern. Show off the best parts of your home, like a pleasant view or a relaxed hearth.
2. Choose the Best Time
Pick an afternoon and a time that works for human beings in your area. Try an evening in the duration of the week instead of an afternoon on the weekend if the area is busy with people. Check the event schedules in your area to make sure that festivals and games don’t clash.
Tip: Your open house should be from noon to three o’clock. Instead of from 1 to 3 p.m., to get more people. For fancy homes, like an apartment in the city, try an event in the evening to see the lights. For a lake house, a sunset tour will give you a better view.
Why It Works: Open house ideas for realtors work best when done at the right time. When it’s the right time, more people will come, giving you more chances to meet buyers.
How to Do It: Look at websites for your town to see what events are going on this weekend. As the seller or the neighbors, when the best times for people to come by? Say, if there are a lot of children in the area, Saturday morning might be best.
3. Stage the Home to Impress
The Real Estate Staging Association says that staged homes sell in 23 days, while otherwise prepared homes take 184 days to sell. You can hire a stager or try these creative open house ideas:
Ideas:
- Clean up by getting rid of things like toys and extra furniture.
- Take down personal stuff like photos so that buyers can picture themselves living there.
- To make it feel cozy, add easy things like pillows or flowers.
- There should be no dust, pet hair, or smells anywhere.
- Use virtual staging (see below) to show room ideas in empty homes without having to buy furniture.
How It Works: A clean and attractive home makes people fall in love with it, which makes open house plans work better.
How to Do It: A week before the sale, go through the house with the seller. Show what needs to be cleaned or taken away, like antique rugs. Small matters can help, like a plant in the living room or a bowl of fruit inside the kitchen.
4. Partner with Local Businesses for Cross-Promotion
Offer snacks, drinks, or small gifts at nearby shops or cafes by working with them. This gets more people in and makes the community stronger.
Email Example:
Hi [Name of Shop Owner],
I am holding the open house at [Address] on [Date], [Your Name], a real estate agent. I enjoy [Shop Name]’s [something great, like tasty cakes]. Want to work together? I’ll tell everyone about your shop if you bring snacks or freebies. Please call me at [Your Phone Number]!
Thank you, [Your Name, Phone Number]
Why It Works: As a key part of open house ideas, local relationships show that you care about the area and give away free treats to make people happy.
How to Do It: Go to three to five shops in the area a week ahead of time. If they bring about snacks or small gifts, offer to share their business playing cards or flyers. This makes the event more fun and enables you to get to know people in the region.
5. Write down a list
Make a listing of factors you need to do before, throughout, and after the open house to stay organized.
Example of a List:
- Before: Clean and stage the house, make flyers, ask neighbors, and get snacks.
- During: Put up signs, make a sign-in sheet, and give out information about people’s homes.
- After: Call or email visitors, post pictures of the event online, and keep track of leads.
Tip: Find free to-do lists online at places like The Close to save time.
Why It Works: A checklist keeps you heading in the right direction, making open house ideas for realtors less complicated to control.
How to Do It: Write down all responsibilities, from cleansing to shopping for water bottles. Keep the list on your phone or a notepad and take a look at off obligations as you go.
6. Invite Your Neighbors
Visit friends’ homes and ask them to come. This makes more people aware of you as the best real estate agent in the area, which makes you more popular. If you knock on 100 doors, PropertyRadar says you’ll get 20 good talks and two strong leads.
Tip: Say, “Hi, my name is [Your Name], and this weekend I’m having an open house at [Address]. Get to know the neighborhood and look at the house!”
Why It Works: People in your neighborhood may know buyers, and getting to know them will help you get known in the area.
Step 1: Make a list of 20 to 30 homes that are close to the land. Bring a flyer or note with you a few days before the event and invite them. Get to know someone and say something nice about the area.
7. Hold a Special Preview
Before the open house for everyone, invite past clients to a private walk. This makes them feel unique and may result in referrals.
Tip: Send an electronic mail: “Hi [Client Name], as a valued customer, you’re invited to a special preview of [Address] on [Date/Time]. Come have some snacks and check out this great house first!”
Why It Works: A great broker open house idea is to treat past clients like VIPs. This will make them more loyal.
How to Do It: Pick 10–20 beyond customers to ask. Email or call them per week earlier than with event info. Offer a small perk, like free coffee, to make it unique.
Spreading the Word: Marketing Your Open House
Open house marketing ideas that work will get people excited about your event and bring them to it. You can use these tips to meet more people both online and off.
8. Make use of social networks
Put a fun pictures, films, or walks of your open house on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok and share them along with your friends.
Ideas:
- Add the place, date, and time to a Facebook Event.
- Every day, post sneak peeks like a movie of the kitchen or a picture of the backyard.
- Put short videos on Instagram Stories or TikTok and write something like, “Is this your dream home?”
- Posts on neighborhood sites like Nextdoor should be boosted to reach people in the area.
Use a code like #YourNameOpenHouse2025 to keep track of posts and get people to share.
Why It Works: Social media is a great way to market your open house because it’s free or cheap and may reach plenty of people.
How to Do It: Take 5–10 great pictures or a short movie of the house. Put up one every day before the event with the address, date, and time. Get people to share with their friends.
9. Show It on Your Website
People who are already looking at your listings will find the open house if you put it on your website.
Ideas:
- Put a “Coming Soon!” sign there.” ad on your home page with a nice picture.
- Please write a blog post about your house and the area around it.
- To get leads, make a page with a form to sign up.
Tip: Give people who sign up a free guide like “Tips for First-Time Buyers.”
Why It Works: Putting the event on your website, where serious buyers go, is a good way to get them to come in.
How to Do It: Make changes to your website a week ahead of time. Put up a bright sign with a picture that says “Open House This Weekend!” Write a short blog (300–500 words) about the best things about the house and the neighborhood.
10. Use Flyers and Signs
Simple things like signs, flyers, and handouts work well. They’re kept on fridges and tables.
Ideas:
- Make bright flyers with pictures and information about your house.
- Make door hangers for people in the area.
- Putting up big yard signs will help people see them.
Remember to use a site like Market Leader to find good themes.
Why It Works: These things work because they are simple to hand out and help people remember your event.
How to Do It: Design a flyer with a large image, deal with, and event info. Print 50–100 copies and hand them out inside the area. Make 3–5 yard signs with bold letters and arrows to the house.
11. Take Great Pictures
Photos that are good will make your ads stand out and bring you more people. It costs $50 to $200 an hour to hire a shooter.
How to Show Off the House: Put pictures of the house on your website, social media pages, and handouts.
Why It Works: Pictures that look nice make people want to come.
How to Do It: A week or two before the event, hire a shooter. Ask for 10 to 20 clear pictures of the front, the main rooms, and any unique features, like a deck. Use them in everything you do to market.
12. Make a Neighborhood Guide
To show that you know a lot about the area, make an easy guide with things like schools and fun places to eat.
Ideas:
- Canva lets you make a free guide that looks good.
- Add information like home prices or parks that are close by.
- Add a QR code that leads to a tour or your website.
Cost: It’s free, but sites like Neighborhood Scout charge $30 for more information.
Why It Works: A key open house idea is to get buyers excited about the area with a guide.
How to Do It: You can learn about the area online for an hour. Make a list of nearby shops, parks, and schools. You can make a one-page book with a map and pictures with Canva. For the event, print 50 copies.
13. Use QR codes
Without paper, QR codes are a quick way to get leads and share information.
Ideas:
- On the sign-in table, put a QR code that leads to a digital journal.
- Put QR codes on room signs that say things like “See this as an office!”
- On your business card, put a QR code that leads to your website.
Tip: You can make free QR codes with QR Code Generator or Curb Hero.
Why It Works: QR codes are modern and smooth, assisting you collect visitor information.
How to Do It: Make three QR codes: one for sign-ins, one for a tour, and one for your website. Print them on signs or stickers and place them across the house, like at the the front door.
14. Send emails
Send emails to leads, old clients, and other real estate agents about the open house.
Ideas:
- Make the subject line funny, like “Don’t Miss This Awesome [Address] Open House!”
- Add pictures and information about your home.
- “Sign up to reserve your spot!” to get people to RSVP.
- Send different emails to groups, like investors or people who are buying their first home.
Tip: Emails are a great way to invite people directly, which is why this open house marketing idea works.
How to Do It: List 50–100 contacts, like past customers. Write a brief e-mail (200–300 words) with a picture and event information. Send it per week earlier than and again two days before.
Making the Day Fun: Running Your Open House
You can shine on the day of the open house. These ideas for a real estate open house will make your event fun and friendly.
15. Show Your Name
People can get to know you as a real estate agent at your open house.
Ideas:
- Put on a shirt or name tag with your logo on it.
- Share things with your name on them, like home information or guides to the area.
- Give away water bottles or pens with your name and number on them.
Tip: Put your brand on goody bags and fill them with a local treat, like cookies.
Why It Works: Getting your name out there helps people remember you.
How to Do It: A week ahead of time, order 50 to 100 labeled pens or notepads. Put on a friendly outfit that has your name on it. When people leave, give them goodie bags.
16. Turn It Into a Party
People will be more interested in your open house if it’s more than just a show.
Ideas:
- In the garden, set up a snack table or a grill.
- Have a performer in your area play soft music.
- Set up a giveaway or a collection drive for a good cause.
- Add local art to the surroundings and list the artists.
Example: If you have an old house, you could have a “History Party” with snacks from that era.
Why It Works: People stay longer and talk about an event that they enjoy.
How to Do It: Choose one or two ideas, like music or a snack table. Make plans for the week that go with the style of the house, like beachy drinks for a coastal home. Take to social media to talk about it.
17. Do a Live Video
People who can’t come can watch the house live on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube.
Ideas:
- Show cool things about the house, like a big bedroom as you walk through it.
- To keep people informed, answer their questions.
- Don’t share the movie right away.
Tip: Put up a short video that says, “Watch live on [Date] at [Time]!”
Why It Works: Live videos are a great creative open house idea because they reach more people.
How to Do It: The day before, walk around the house with your phone in your hand. Pick three to five places to show, like the kitchen. A few days before the live video, write something about it and ask a friend to help you with the comments.
18. Set up a digital sign-in
Getting visitor information is easy with a sign-in app like Open Home Pro or Curb Hero.
How to:
- The landlord might want sign-ins to make the house safer.
- If people sign in, give them a prize, like a gift card.
- You can sign in without touching anything if you use a computer or a QR code.
Price range: free to $50.
Why It Works: This is a great open house idea because it lets you follow up by getting their contact information.
How to Do It: Set up a computer or a sign with a QR code at the door. Check it out the day before. Tell them it’s for their safety and put them in a drawing.
19. Give Out Helpful Papers
Give out papers with information about the house and the neighborhood so that people will remember your name.
Ideas:
- A list of things about the house, like new floors.
- A list of the schools and stores in the area.
- A page about you that has your phone number on it.
- A graph that shows how much things like utilities cost or how much homes cost.
Tip: Give them out and say, “This is great information about the house!”
Why It Works: People will think of you and the house when they see papers.
How to Do It: Print out 50 to 100 sets of handouts a few days ahead of time. Put your business card, a summary of the house, and a guide to the area in it. Put them together next to the door.
20. Get ready to answer
Buyers will have questions about the house, and being able to answer them will make you look smart.
Questions People Ask:
- For how long have they lived here?
- Why do they need to move?
- How much do the bills cost?
- How long has the roof or AC been there?
- How is the neighborhood?
Idea: Play a short movie on a tablet of the owners talking about the house.
Why It Works: When you answer well, you build trust, which is important for open house ideas.
How to Do It: Tell the seller what you need to know a week ahead of time. Note them down. Get the seller to talk about what they love about the house in a one- to two-minute film.
21. Use Virtual Staging
It shows room ideas, like a bedroom or office, for homes that are empty. It helps homes sell 88% faster and costs $7 to $50 per room.
Tip: Put together a tablet so that people can try out stage apps on their own.
Why It Works: Virtual arranging helps buyers see how the room could be used.
How to Do It: For 3–5 room plans, you can hire a virtual staging service or use an app. Put them on a tablet in the main room. People should be shown how to swipe through ideas like a nursery.
22. Show Off Smart or Green Features
Add a flyer about savings to the home’s smart tech or green features, like solar panels, to draw attention to them.
Tip: Ask someone who knows a lot about green energy to answer questions.
Why It Works: Buyers love features that save them money. This is a great idea for an open house.
How to Do It: Make a flyer with information about smart or green features, like “Solar panels save $100/month.” Then, call a green energy company in your area and ask them to send someone to talk to people who come by.
23. Set Up a Loan Info Area
Bring a banker to a place that is quiet place so that people can ask about loans.
How to:
- Pull up a chair in a corner.
- Give out a sheet with information about loans.
- The loan should be friendly and not pushy.
Cost: Nothing, since the loan gets seen.
Why It Works: Your event will be more useful if you answer questions about loans.
How to Do It: A week ahead of time, call a company you trust. Find a quiet place to put a table and two chairs. Make a one-page loan FAQ sheet to give out.
24. Give out fun snacks
People stay longer when they are fed and hydrated.
Ideas:
- Serve coffee or mocktails from the area.
- Get some cookies from a shop close by.
- For example, beachy snacks would go well in a house on the coast.
Tip: Put your QR code or business cards next to the snacks.
Why It Works: A great open house idea is to have good food at the event to make it fun.
How to Do It: Get snacks from a nearby store for 30 to 50 people. Put a nice cover and napkins on the table. Put up a sign with your name and a QR code.
25. Make a Kid’s Corner
Give the kids a place to play with toys, coloring books, or a computer that has shows on it.
Cost: You can get a helper for free or for $200.
Tip: Put coloring pages and a toy with your name on it in goody bags for kids.
Why It Works: Parents can concentrate in a kids’ area, which makes them stay longer.
How to Do It: Put a table with toys and pens in the corner. Put kid movies on a computer. As a gift, put your business card and a small toy in 20 to 30 bags.
26. Have a Themed Open House
To make it stand out, choose a theme that goes with the house or area.
Ideas:
- Beach Party: If your house is near the water, play beach music and give frozen drinks.
- City Vibes: Have a “City Lights” event with jazz at a house.
- For family fun, put together a project table for the kids in a suburban home.
Tip: Use social media to get people excited about the theme.
A great way to make an open house more interesting is to give it a theme.
How to Do It: For a small house, choose a theme like “Cozy Cottage.” A week ahead of time, plan things like flowers and cookies for the party and snacks. Write about it on the web.
27. Give out water bottles
Your name or brand should be on the water bottles you give out. They help you remember things and are useful.
Cost: Each one costs about $0.45 when bought in bulk.
Tip: Use stickers that are bright and match your brand or the season.
Why It Works: The idea behind it is that people will remember your name because they keep water bottles.
How to Do It: Order 50 to 100 water bottles with your brand a week ahead of time. So you know what to do. Place them on a table or put them in treat bags. Cover something with your phone number and website.
Connecting with People: Building Relationships
Making guests feel welcome and talking to them will help you get them to buy from you. These open house ideas are all about creating relationships.
28. Hold a Fun Contest
People get excited and give you their contact information when they enter a contest.
Ideas:
- Give away a gift card to a nearby restaurant.
- Go on a hunt for things around the house.
- Get people to post pictures with your name and give them a prize.
Tip: Say that winners will be emailed to get their information.
Why It Works: It works because contests are fun and help you get new leads.
How to Do It: Pick a prize, like a $25 gift card. Put up a sign that says “Sign in to win!” and set up a form or tablet. The next day, email everyone to let them know who won.
29. Work with Other Realtors
To get more people to come, organize an “open house day” in the neighborhood with other real estate agents.
Tips:
- If you get a client from their open house, charge them a fee.
- Have a helper real estate agent meet people or give tours.
- Hold a group draw where people must visit all the homes to be eligible.
Cost: Shared charges or fees range from free to $500.
Why It Works: When people work together, the event gets bigger. This is a great idea for a broker open house.
How to Do It: A week ahead of time, talk to two or three real estate agents. Plan to see three to five houses. Split the cost of flyers and make a map for people who come to visit.
30. Get to Know Visitors
Get people to describe what they want in a house.
Conversation Ideas:
- “What brought you here today?”
- “What kind of house do you want?”
- “Have you looked around this area?”
Tip: For follow-up, write down notes like “Wants a 3-bedroom, loves hiking.”
Why It Works: Talking to people makes them feel important, which is a key thought for an open house.
How to Do It: Carry a notebook or use your cellphone for notes. Ask open questions and concentrate. Give out your enterprise card and say, “I’d love to help you find a home!”
31. Show Off the Neighborhood
Put together a show of the best things about the neighborhood, like parks or shops.
Ideas:
- Show a map with QR codes that lead to nearby places.
- Show a slideshow of pictures of the neighborhood on TV.
- Share quotes from people who live there about why they love it.
Tip: Have a friend tell a short story during the event.
Why It Works: One great idea for an open house is to show off the area to get people interested.
How to Do It: Make a one-page map or video with 5–10 places in the area. Make copies or set up a tablet. You could ask a friend to come over and talk for half an hour.
32. Take a virtual tour
Show a 3D tour or what the house might look like after some changes with VR gear.
Cost: A headset and software will cost between $25 and $450.
Tip: Put the tours on the headset and test it first.
Why It Works: VR is cool and brings your event up to date, which makes it a great idea for a creative open house.
How to Do It: You can rent or buy a VR headset and put a 3D show on it. A sign that says “Try our VR tour!” should be put up in the main room. Someone should help people figure out how to use it.
After the Event: Following Up
After the open house, you still have work to do. Visitors turn into clients by following up.
33. Get in touch quickly
Get in touch with everyone within one to two days to keep them interested. To find the best leads, use a tool like Smartzip.
Thoughts:
- Say thank you in an email and offer to help with anything.
- Get in touch with people who look excited by phone or text.
- If the open house home wasn’t right, share other dwellings.
Subject Line of an Example Email: “Thanks for Visiting [Address]!”
Hey [Name],
It was great to meet you at [Address]! I hope you liked the house. I’m here for you if you need help or want to look at other houses. These ads can be seen here: [Link to Ads]. Let’s get coffee and talk about your house hunt—it’s my treat!
Best, [Your Name, Phone Number]
Tip: Put things like “See New Homes First!” in the subject line, or “Did You Love [Address]?”
Why It Works: A quick follow-up keeps you in their thoughts, which is important for coming up with open house ideas.
How to Do It: As soon as the event is over, make a list of all the tourists’ contact information. Every 24 hours, send emails, and every 48 hours, call the best leads. Take notes in an app or worksheet.
Mistakes to Avoid
Mess-ups can happen even if you have great ideas for your open house. Keep an eye out for:
- Not Ready: People don’t like it when your house is a mess.
- Bad advertising: One sign or ad won’t bring in enough people.
- Not Following Up: If you wait too long, you’ll lose leads.
- If you want to help someone, don’t try to sell them something.
- If your event doesn’t have QR codes or virtual walks, it will feel old.
Stories of Success
Story 1: Neighborhood Party
Sarah Johnson, an agent, threw an open house for a family home called a “Neighborhood Party.” She worked with an ice cream shop to get free cones and asked her friends to come. With a QR code, people could join a raffle. In six months, the event had 50 guests, 20 leads, and three clients.
Why It Worked: A lot of people came because it was fun.
Second Story: Virtual Stage Show
Michael Lee, an agent, held an open house for a condo that was not being used. He set up screens for virtual staging and did an Instagram live video that 200 people saw. The event brought in 15 people in person and 10 online leads, which helped sell the house in two weeks.
Why It Worked: Tech made it fun and helped more people see it.
Story 3: Open House in the Green
Emily Chen, a real estate agent, held an open house for a house that has solar panels. She made a flyer with a green energy company and set up a VR spot for green ideas. Thirty people bought the house in three weeks after the event.
Why It Worked: Buyers who cared about the environment liked the green features and VR.
Wrap-Up: Make Your Open House a Hit
You need to plan, be creative, and follow up to have a great open house. From learning about the market to using VR, these 32 open house ideas for realtors will help you get people to come, keep them interested, and turn them into clients. With these tips, you’ll stand out at any public event, broker open house idea or business open house idea.
Start with a list, get to know the area, and sell your business well. Make everyone feel welcome and show off your skills on the day. Follow up quickly to get to know people. These creative open house ideas will help you put on an event that sells the house and makes you look like a great real estate agent.
Which open house ideas do you like best? Please share them below to motivate other people!
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