Expert Tips and Secrets to Hosting a Successful Open House

Getting the Word Out

How do you get the public to come to this shindig? Publicize it, of course.

Patton says the usual suspects are the places to spread the word first: "Believe it or not, there are still people who pick up that newspaper and will read the open house section."

If you're working with a real estate broker, make sure your agent posts information about your home and open house on the company's Web site. Email the link to everyone you know -- relatives, friends, colleagues and acquaintances.

Many sellers are also doing their own "grassroots" online marketing, using sites like Craigslist, Facebook and Twitter to promote their open house and plans to sell -- a savvy move in today's market.

But Patton also has a very common sense idea that feels a little unusual -- tell your actual neighbors.

Patton suggests mailing postcards to everyone in your neighborhood, alerting them about your open house. Why, you ask? After all, they're not going to want to move two blocks away.

"People want to live next to their friends," explains Patton, "and some of them may say, 'Hey, this would be a perfect opportunity for my friend to live near me. I could invite so-and-so to this open house.'"

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