A Beginner's Guide to Co-hosting Open Houses
Ready to team up for your first co-hosted open house?
Co-hosting can be an exciting and rewarding experience. It offers you the chance to collaborate, learn, and share the workload. Whether it's your first time or you're looking to refine your approach, this guide is tailored for you. We'll walk you through the essentials of co-hosting an open house, from dividing responsibilities to making a lasting impression on your clients. Let's get started.
Preparing for your first open house can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, but with the right steps, you’ll be set for success. Here's how to get everything ready:
When you’re co-hosting, it’s important to decide who does what. Sit down with your co-host and talk about each other's strengths. Maybe you’re great at talking to people, while your co-host is good at organizing things. Decide who will handle which tasks, like setting up signs, preparing the house, and talking to clients. Clear communication with your co-host will make everything run smoother.
You and your co-host need to know everything about the property. Make sure you know when the property was built, if there were any updates made and when, and details about the appliances. This knowledge will help you answer any questions from visitors and show them you’re a knowledgeable agent.
Talk with your co-host about what you both want to achieve. Do you want a certain number of people to visit? Or are you aiming to get some follow-up contacts? Set clear and realistic goals. This will help you focus and measure how successful your open house is.
Preparing well for your open house is key. It sets you up for a great day and builds the foundation for a successful professional relationship with your co-host.
Getting the word out about your open house is essential. You must find the right people and get them excited to visit the property. Let’s break down how you can effectively market your open house:
First, team up with your co-host to plan your marketing. Talk about what each of you is good at. Maybe you're a pro at social media, while your co-host is great at making flyers and talking to people in person. Mix these skills to reach more people. Plan to use both online and offline methods to connect with as many potential buyers as possible.
Social media can be a big help. Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Share great photos of the house and interesting things about the area. Make sure your posts are fun and engaging, so people want to comment and share. Use hashtags and location tags to help more people find your posts. You could even set up a special event page on Facebook or do a countdown on Instagram to build excitement.
Your flyers, brochures, and emails need to grab attention. Work with your co-host to make them look professional and appealing. Include important details about the house, nice photos, and info about when the open house is happening. If you don’t have the budget to hire a graphic designer, opt to do it yourself. Use a freemium tool like Canva. Canva has thousands of templates that you can make your own in a matter of minutes. It’s worth checking out, especially because it’s free.
Don't forget to tell everyone you know about the open house. This means past clients, other agents you know, friends, and family. You never know who may be in the market for a house or who may know someone who is. Never assume—just make the call.
Getting involved with the local community can also help a lot. Maybe local shops or community centers will allow you to put up flyers that promote your open house. They might even share your open house info on their social media. This can help get the word out to more people and also show that you're involved in the area.
Remember, the goal is to get people interested and excited about your open house. A good mix of online and offline marketing, plus a bit of creativity, will set you up for a busy, successful open house.
Let’s talk about how to make sure everything goes smoothly on the day of co-hosting your open house event.
Start by opening all curtains and windows to bring in natural light and fresh air. This will make the house feel more inviting. Then, turn on soft, pleasant music in the background to create a welcoming atmosphere. Do a quick final sweep of the home to ensure every room is clean and clutter-free. Finally, adding small touches like fresh flowers or a welcome sign at the entrance can charm your visitors.
Communication with your co-host is so important. Keep each other updated throughout the event. If one of you is busy chatting with a visitor, the other can manage different aspects of the house, such as greeting new arrivals or handling brochures. Be sure to help each other out and try to work together as a team to cover all areas.
Greet each person with a smile as they arrive. Ask if they would like a tour of the house. Be sure to physically position yourself in an accessible spot in case the visitor has any questions. Listen carefully to their queries and respond thoughtfully. Make every visitor feel important and heard, even if you don’t think they’re going to buy the home. After all, they may not buy this home, but the impression you leave on them during this open house may cause them to work with you in the future.
Have a physical or digital sign-in sheet ready at the entrance for visitors to leave their contact information. This is crucial for your follow-up later. Also, ensure that your marketing materials, like brochures and business cards, are readily available for visitors to take.
One of the biggest benefits of co-hosting an open house is that you’ll never have to be at the property by yourself. But that doesn’t mean that you should take your safety for granted. Be vigilant and take steps to ensure your safety, as well as that of your co-host and visitors. These steps include:
Familiarizing Yourself with the Property - Before the open house, walk through the property to identify all exit points. You should always have an escape route from any part of the home.
Setting Clear Boundaries - Establish which areas of the property are open to visitors and which are off-limits. This helps to maintain control over the space and reduces the risk of theft.
Keeping Personal Items Secure - Avoid bringing valuables to the open house, and keep any personal items like purses or laptops out of sight and in a secure location.
Staying Aware of Your Surroundings - Be mindful of who is coming and going. If someone's behavior seems suspicious or makes you uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to contact your co-host or, if necessary, the authorities.
Developing a Signal with Your Co-host - Have a discreet way to communicate with each other if either of you feels uneasy or needs assistance. This could be a simple gesture or a coded phrase.
Trusting Your Instincts - If something feels off, trust your gut. It's always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to personal safety.
Remember, while co-hosting provides added security because someone else is near, always stay alert and don’t hesitate to take action if a situation doesn’t feel right.
After the open house, your work isn't over yet. Here's how you can keep the momentum going:
First, look at the contact information you collected. Plan to reach out to everyone who visited. Make your follow-up timely, ideally within a couple of days after the open house.
Because you’ve co-hosted the open house, it may be a good idea to split the contact list with your partner. Alternatively, you could opt for a joint follow-up approach. This decision depends on your agreed roles and the nature of your partnership.
If you choose to split the list, divide it in a way that plays to each of your strengths. For instance, if one of you has more experience or a particular rapport with certain types of clients, tailor the list accordingly. On the other hand, a joint approach, such as a co-signed email or a conference call, can reinforce the collaborative nature of your service. This method may appeal to clients who appreciate the team dynamic.
Whichever strategy you choose, make sure your follow-ups are personalized. Mention something you talked about at the open house or something specific about the property they showed interest in. This shows that you paid attention to the visitor and cared about their needs.
Every open house is a chance to learn and grow as a real estate agent. Here’s how you can make the most of this opportunity:
After the open house, sit down with your co-host and talk about how it went. Discuss what each of you thought were the high points and the challenges. Be open to feedback and don’t be defensive. Feedback is a great way to learn.
Also, provide honest feedback to your co-host. But keep it positive. Start with the positives first. If your co-host did something that you appreciated, let them know. If there's something that didn't go so well, talk about how it could be better next time. This helps both of you grow.
Use everything you’ve learned from this open house to plan the next one. Think about how you can attract more people or show off the property even better. Every open house is a chance to get better at your job.
With these simple yet effective steps, you will be able to successfully co-host open house events with your fellow agents. Remember, each open house is a learning experience and an opportunity to showcase your skills and build relationships. Stay prepared, be adaptable, and always aim to improve.