How to run an open house

Running a good open house is mostly preparation and a few practiced moves at the door. Here's the complete sequence — what to do before anyone arrives, how to work the room, and how to close the day so the traffic you earned turns into clients.

90 minutes before: the setup window

1. 1Arrive 45–60 minutes early. Lights on in every room, blinds open, comfortable temperature, faint background music. Walk the property like a buyer — smell it, check the bulbs, look at what the seller missed.
2. 2Set up sign-in at the front door first. This is the most important table in the house. Tablet kiosk front and center, QR sign propped beside it, or paper sheets if you haven't gone digital.
3. 3Place directional signs from the nearest arterial road back to the property — one at every turn. Six minimum; ten is better. Arrows only, no text.
4. 4Put out a small stack of business cards. Skip heavy flyer setups — a real buyer will ask for details.

The first visitor: your most important moment

The first visitors set the room's energy. Be at the door — standing, not on your phone — when they arrive. First impressions compound.

Managing a busy room

• Greet every person at the door personally. Don't let anyone tour without signing in.
• Watch for second-lap visitors — anyone walking the home twice is a buyer processing the decision. Find them before they leave.
• Stay out of rooms unless invited. Buyers need to picture themselves in the space.
• Neighbors are listing leads in disguise. Give them the same attention as any serious buyer.

The exit conversation

Within one hour of closing

• Collect all directional signs — leaving them overnight is a fast way to frustrate neighbors.
• Text every visitor the same evening while the home is still fresh in their minds.
• Flag hot leads (pre-approved, short timeline, no agent, has a home to sell) for a morning call.
• Send the seller a quick traffic summary: visitor count, general sentiment, any standout feedback.

💡 Tip: The most common reason a well-attended open house produces no clients: the contact info was never reliably captured. A digital sign-in makes capture automatic — visitors type their own info, required fields ensure completeness, and every lead lands in a dashboard you can work from the parking lot.