Do Home Sellers Benefit From Open Houses?

Home sellers face many choices and decisions about marketing their property, one of which involves the potential benefits and drawbacks of holding an open house. Although some people eschew this tried-and-true method of real estate marketing, the experts agree that opening your home to the public provides myriad benefits. Read on for just a few ways that open houses benefit home sellers and potentially result in a faster sale.

Sets Eyes on Your Home

One of the biggest benefits to having an open house is that it attracts buyers that might be, for whatever reason, unmotivated to book a formal showing of your home. Many buyers fear aggressive marketing techniques used by some agents, preferring instead to conduct their own home search. Open house events are a big draw for these potential buyers, offering them the opportunity to visit with less pressure and attention. A popular argument against an open house is that only neighbors and looky-loos drop by. Did you know that your neighbors and other community members are an excellent source of networking for your home?

Set the Scene

You control the way your home looks on the day of the open house. Often, when traditional buyers set up a showing, you have very little notice or time to prepare your home. This means that you have to attempt to keep you home "show ready" at the drop of a hat, which can be exhausting and stressful.

When you have an open house, you can prepare well in advance for an event that has the potential to attract many prospective buyers at once. It's much easier to deep-clean for this event than it is to keep your home spotless every day. Plus, you can sweeten the deal by baking cookies, staging the perfect lighting and music, or filling up vases with flowers. You can arrange in advance to have your family be away for the event as well, offering a much more relaxed environment for potential buyers.

Lock in a Buyer

Potential buyers, especially those who maintain an ongoing interest, may hesitate to request multiple private showings. If your house has already caught a potential buyer's interest, he or she may want to come back for a second look in a less formal setting. Open houses allow them to bring friends and family to check out their potential purchase, and they can look around at their own pace without feeling rushed.

Compare and Contrast

On any particular weekend, several open houses may be held in a given neighborhood. These allow potential buyers to compare and contrast houses in the area, and to see what's available. This presents an excellent opportunity to make your house stand out from the competition.

The bottom line is that holding an open house offers a variety of options for speeding up the sale. Selling your house is a process, but this simple and free method of marketing may make all the difference for you. If you're interested in selling your Southern California home, contact the professional Realtors® of the Edie Israel Team today. They specialize in providing exceptional service to both home buyers and sellers.