Anyone who’s sold a house knows that decluttering and staging can help make a good impression during an open house. But don’t forget to serve green champagne or give away a few lottery tickets.
And remember to bake some bread or cookies. The aroma will make the house more appealing.
Those are just a few tricks of the trade local Realtors are using to make houses stand out in today’s home buying market.
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The green champagne was a great conversation starter, said Realtor Robin Lyons, who likes to have a theme for her open houses. On St. Patrick’s Day, she wanted to celebrate “the luck of the Irish.”
Everything was green, including the champagne and the cookies for the kids,” said Lyons, affiliate broker for Re/Max Choice Properties in Hendersonville.
“The idea is to get people talking about it. You want people to come in even if they’re not ready to purchase. They’ll tell their friends,” she said.
Gretchen Fitzsimmons bakes a tray of caramelitas before the open house, filling the home with the aroma of warm cookies, chocolate and melted caramel.
“There’s so much power in food,” said Fitzsimmons, a Realtor with the Ashton Group of Re/Max Advantage.
Serving refreshments is one of the top 10 ideas for open houses offered by Houselogic, which provides advice for homeowners on the internet and social media.
“Serving warm cookies or freshly baked brownies at an open house is one of the oldest tricks in the book. That’s because it works: Buyers love being greeted with a sweet treat and a cold or warm beverage depending on the time of year. Refreshments also give people a reason to stay longer: No one will rush off because they’re hungry or thirsty,” according to Houselogic.
Creating a fun atmosphere
Beth Oertel, a Realtor with EXIT Real Estate Solutions, sets a mood for her open houses.
“I bring a candle and a portable speaker and play music to set the ambiance. The music makes people more comfortable to talk as they walk through the house,” she said.
Michelle Patterson sometimes gives away scratch-off tickets for the Tennessee lottery. They cost just a dollar and are a great ice breaker. So far, the biggest winner walked away with $25.
“It’s fun and gives us something to talk about. Let’s face it, open houses can be awkward. It’s a conversation piece that’s so simple,” said Patterson, a Realtor with Re/Max Choice Properties.
She also holds drawings for dinner and a movie, or the first 10 people might receive a Starbucks gift card.
In homes with theater rooms, she’s been known to give away “theater candy” such as M&M’s and Raisinets. She also bakes cookies.
“We break out the baked good. Those smells and those senses go a long way,” said Patterson.
Lyons recalls an open house that happened to be on Valentine’s Day. She handed out heart-shaped Valentine’s sugar candies and had heart balloons in the house.
“It creates a more fun atmosphere, rather than the buyer feeling like we just want to sell a home,” said Lyons.
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