How to Host a Successful Real Estate Open House in 2025
Real estate open houses remain a powerful strategy in 2025—if done right. This guide walks Realtors® through everything from promotion to follow-up, offering proven tactics for lead generation, listing leverage, and brand-building.
A well-executed open house is more than a showing—it’s a lead-generating event that builds your reputation and fills your pipeline.
Open houses continue to be one of the most cost-effective, high-impact lead generation tactics in real estate marketing. While virtual tools and digital showings have added new layers of convenience, there's no replacement for a well-run, in-person event. But today’s successful Realtor® knows that simply putting out signs and unlocking a front door won’t cut it. Strategic execution is everything.
Let’s start building your brand, growing your pipeline, and generating more high-quality leads with the full-service support of AmericasBestMarketing.com.
Why Open Houses Are Still Essential in Real Estate Marketing
Open houses offer in-person connection, listing visibility, and a powerful local marketing tool.
Despite digital advancements, in-person open houses are still one of the most trusted strategies for brand building and client conversion. When executed properly, they serve dual purposes: attracting qualified buyers and showcasing your marketing value to future sellers.
Open house benefits for Realtors®:
Engage directly with active home buyers
Display your real estate marketing strategy to neighbors and prospects
Win over potential seller leads from attendees or passersby
Farm surrounding neighborhoods with branded print collateral
Capture digital content for multi-channel promotions
For Realtors® looking to grow their pipeline, host more listing consultations, and stay visible in their community, open houses remain a cornerstone strategy.
How to Plan a High-Converting Open House
Strategic planning 7-10 days ahead ensures maximum exposure and success.
Step 1: Build Your Open House Timeline
Start 7 to 10 days in advance. Use a checklist that covers:
Seller confirmation and property readiness
Custom-designed flyers and social graphics
Neighborhood invitation drop (100–200 homes)
Email blast scheduled through your CRM
Scheduled Facebook, Instagram, and Google retargeting ads
Posting in local community groups and event calendars
Expert Tip: Don’t forget to schedule time for follow-up and post-event content marketing. That’s where the ROI really compounds.
Step 2: Promote Across Multiple Channels
Go beyond just MLS and Zillow.
Use your full marketing engine:
Instagram Reels + Stories (countdown series)
Facebook event pages and groups
Targeted email campaigns
"Just Listed" direct mail with open house info
Listing-specific retargeting ads
Local event boards and business partnerships
Consistent branding across channels helps buyers and neighbors recognize your presence online and in person.
Step 3: Professionally Stage the Property
Great staging helps the home feel move-in ready.
Declutter and depersonalize rooms
Turn on lights and open curtains
Add fresh flowers and minimal decor
Provide printed materials at a polished display station
For Realtors® who need support, staging checklists and seller guides can be part of your broader full-service marketing program.
Step 4: Create Memorable Branded Materials
Every touchpoint should reflect your professionalism.
Recommended print materials:
Branded sign-in sheets or digital registration
Home feature flyers with pricing and highlights
CMA request cards
QR codes to video walk-throughs or relocation guides
Market update reports branded with your name and contact info
These assets not only inform buyers, they leave an impression on sellers considering who to list with.
Best Practices During the Open House
Engage attendees, collect contact info, and make a lasting impression.
Welcome Without Hovering
When visitors arrive:
Greet warmly and introduce yourself
Ask how they found the open house
Provide a flyer and encourage self-guided exploration
Stay nearby and available without being overbearing
Pro Tip: Have a water station, light refreshments, and subtle scent diffusers to create an inviting environment.
Ask Questions That Qualify Leads
Use open-ended questions to learn more:
"What brings you out today?"
"Are you currently working with a Realtor®?"
"Would you like a list of similar homes nearby?"
"Are you also looking to sell your current home?"
These questions can uncover warm leads, even among casual visitors.
Capture Real-Time Content
Open houses are a goldmine for content.
Create posts like:
"Sneak peek of our open house in [Neighborhood]"
"What $500K gets you in [City]"
"Behind the scenes with today’s listing prep"
Use Instagram Stories, carousel posts, and short videos to promote your brand. This supports your social media marketing strategy and keeps your channels active with local content.
Post-Open House Strategy: Converting Interest into Clients
What you do after the event is what drives lead conversion.
Immediate Follow-Up Within 24 Hours
Send a personalized email or text to every attendee.
Thank them for attending
Offer to answer any questions
Provide a list of similar properties
Ask if they’d like to schedule a private showing
Drip Campaign Tip: Move each attendee into your CRM and assign them to a 7-day follow-up campaign tailored to buyers or sellers.
Create a Seller Follow-Up Report
Sellers want proof that you worked hard.
Include:
Total number of attendees
Summary of feedback and questions
Marketing impressions (emails opened, ads seen)
Recommendations on next steps
Bonus: Add a link to a private YouTube video recap of the open house.
Use Open House Data to Farm the Area
After your event:
Send follow-up postcards to 200 nearby homes
Share a "just held open" campaign on your socials
Drop door hangers offering a home valuation
This supports your direct mail strategy and builds your listing pipeline long-term.
What Successful Realtors® Are Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about Hosting a Real Estate Open House
Q: Are open houses still effective in today’s digital-first market?
A: Absolutely. Open houses create face-to-face connections, generate new buyer leads, and showcase your marketing strategy to potential sellers. They also provide content for your online platforms.
Q: What are the best times to host an open house?
A: Late morning to early afternoon on weekends typically drives the most traffic. Consider 11 AM to 2 PM or 1 PM to 4 PM depending on your local market.
Q: How do I promote an open house without spending a fortune?
A: Use a mix of organic social posts, CRM email campaigns, and low-cost direct mail. Leverage free platforms like Facebook groups and local online event calendars.
Q: What should I do if no one shows up?
A: Capture content anyway. Do a walk-through video, go live on Instagram, or record a market update. You can repurpose this for blogs, emails, and ads.
Q: Should I still host open houses if the home is under contract?
A: Yes, especially if you want to meet neighbors and generate new listing leads. It shows the neighborhood how you market and creates future opportunities.
There’s no better time to start growing your business than right now. Let’s Get Started Today!
At AmericasBestMarketing.com, we help Realtors® turn open houses into powerful brand-building and lead-generation tools. Our full-service real estate marketing support includes custom-designed flyers, social graphics, direct mail campaigns, landing pages, and follow-up systems to help you convert curiosity into clients.
Discover our comprehensive Multi-Channel Marketing Program tailored for Realtor® success! In this video, we’ll walk you through our strategic approach that blends social media, listing marketing, IDX interactive websites, digital advertising, direct mail, and more.
