Have you ever considered hosting an open house viewing event for the sale of your home?
If so, you likely have many questions, such as: “How does an open house viewing work?”, “How do I showcase my home to its best?” and “What do I do on the day itself?”
At Cobb Farr, we believe that open house viewings provide an ideal opportunity to showcase your home to prospective buyers, give them a feel for the local area, create a sense of competition and urgency, and help you sell your home faster.
To assist you, we’ve put together this guide on the ins and outs of open-house viewings and what you can expect. While open house viewings may not suit every property, they can be an effective way to market homes with particular requirements.
What kind of properties are sold through open-house viewings?
For most houses on the market in the UK, the traditional private viewing is usually the favoured option. Vendors and estate agents typically use this approach for regular house sales, allowing buyers to view the property and ask questions on a one-to-one basis. If your home is fairly standard for the local market, this will usually work well.
However, this approach isn’t ideal for every property. Quirky, one-off homes, interesting period properties, derelict houses, or old buildings suitable for conversion are all great candidates for open house viewings.
Sometimes there are special circumstances where the vendor might see an open house viewing as a way to deal with a tricky situation, especially if they have sitting tenants who are not happy with the property being sold.
In addition, if the property is being sold through an upcoming auction, it allows prospective buyers to take a look before deciding whether to bid.
Open-house viewings put the vendor in control
Whilst the type of property can dictate the preferred viewing method, often vendors themselves decide they’re looking for an alternative to the traditional private viewing. Not everyone has the time or inclination to show their home to a range of prospective buyers over weeks or months.
Having an open house viewing can be a way to circumvent a drawn-out viewing process, creating excitement about a home and minimising disruption for the vendors. If you’re looking to sell your property quickly, then an open house viewing can kickstart the selling process, generating interest from multiple parties.
What’s entailed in an open house viewing in the UK?
An open house viewing allows the public to view your property without needing to book a property viewing. They can turn up during a particular time slot or make individual appointments on the day to view your property.
With an open house viewing, you’ll reach a larger audience, creating a competitive buzz that could help you achieve a higher selling price. It also makes it much more convenient for you and the prospective buyer alike. If your home is different from regular properties on the local market, perhaps due to age, condition, or design style, then an open house viewing is a great option.
For the best outcome, speak to our friendly and experienced team at Cobb Farr. We understand exactly what it takes to host a successful open house event, from marketing to follow-up, and can help you sell your home for a higher price.
Why hold an open house viewing?
As mentioned above, holding an open house viewing could help you sell your home much faster and for a higher price, thanks to the competitive buzz it creates.
Of course, it won’t guarantee a sale. However, it is a powerful way to showcase your property in a dynamic way that differs from traditional individual viewings. Here are a few reasons why an open house viewing could be right for you.
1. It’s more efficient
Open house viewings allow you to showcase your home to multiple potential buyers during a short period. This means you don’t have to clean or tidy up multiple times, nor disrupt your schedule to attend viewings, saving you time and hassle.
2. It’s more strategic
Sellers host open house viewings because they are a more strategic way to find the ideal buyer for their property. Marketing for the event will raise awareness, and the competitive buzz could help you sell faster.
3. It increases your property’s exposure to potential buyers
Simply put, the greater the number of people who visit your property, the more likely it is that you will find your ideal buyer.
4. It’s more informal
When potential buyers attend your open house viewing, they are free to explore at their leisure and ask whatever questions come to mind, completely pressure-free. This allows them to feel more at ease and provide you with immediate feedback about your property that can be used to increase your chances of selling.
How do you prepare to host an open house viewing?
Once you’ve decided that hosting an open house viewing is the right strategic option for you, there are several steps you should take to ensure your home looks at its best. Here are our tips:
Deep clean
Make sure every room of your home is squeaky clean; surfaces should shine, and floors should be spotless. Don’t forget your windows – by cleaning them, you’ll maximise natural light entering your home.
Declutter
Depersonalise your home so it feels like a blank canvas for potential buyers. Remove personal items like family photos, collections, unique decorations, and everyday items so that your home looks neutral and inviting.
Repair
Turn your attention to minor defects like leaky taps, creaky doors, marks on walls, and burnt-out lightbulbs to ensure everything is in excellent condition.
Clean up the exterior
Make sure your potential buyer gets a fantastic first impression by making minor improvements to the exterior of your home. Cut the grass, trim the hedges, remove weeds, and add plants or hanging baskets to make your garden look lovely. Also, move bins out of sight, keep tools tidy, and clean up your driveway to create the impression of a well-maintained home.
If necessary, give your front door a fresh coat of paint in a welcoming colour, clean up the entrance, clear out the gutters, and treat yourself to a new doormat.
Stage your home for success
Just before your potential viewers arrive, make those final tweaks to ensure your home looks its best. Make sure everything is tidy, and ensure that your home smells fresh, clean, and inviting.
Collaborate with estate agents
At Cobb Farr, we have local market expertise in Bath, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, and Somerset, along with a vast network of potential buyers we can invite to view your home.
We work tirelessly to market your property to your ideal buyer, encourage a larger turnout at your event, and follow up with interested parties to help you sell your property.
Is it legal to hold an open house viewing in the UK?
Yes, it is legal to hold an open house viewing, although certain laws help regulate the process.
This includes The Property Misdescriptions Act 1991, which affects what you can say and show during an open house viewing. If you plan to collect visitor information, you must also adhere to the Data Protection Act 2018.
You should also ensure a safe environment and be covered for open house events in your insurance policy. If you have any concerns or doubts, please speak to our friendly team today.
What do you do on the day of the open house viewing?
Before your potential buyers arrive on the day, have a final tidy-up and clean. Make sure the doors are open, the lights are on, and any minor details are taken care of.
Then place a brochure of your property somewhere prominent so that visitors can have a look or even take a copy away if they wish.
It’s up to you whether you want to stick around for the open house viewing or if you’d prefer your estate agent to be there to answer questions. Please let us know beforehand so we can optimise our service to you.
Summary: How do open house viewings work?
Open house viewings are a powerful strategy to showcase your home to a wide pool of potential buyers and sell your home faster.
By working with an estate agent like Cobb Farr and hosting multiple viewings on the same day, you’ll create a competitive buzz, reduce hassle, and could even sell your home for more.
Want to find out more about open house viewings? We can help.
Contact our friendly team at Cobb Farr to find out how today
