Here we are! At the top of our spring selling-season and chomping at the bit to go, am I right? The past couple years have not given us much opportunity to flex our acquired muscle or to use the knowledge we've accumulated over time, but hey – more normal times are back! Let's get to it!

OPEN HOUSE opportunities are proliferating, but it's not enough to mark it in the MLS and put out a sign in the yard. Remember? If we want highly successful open house experiences, we have to go all out in preparation and in execution. Let's run through it, shall we?

(I can hear some of you now…"I don't do open houses…" All right. You do you, boo. But these principles will apply no matter the application. Hear me out.)

• Check the calendar. Avoid scheduling your open house on a weekend with a major event in your town. I like scheduling an open house on the first weekend the listing is live. Might as well heighten the excitement around your new listing in every way possible.
• Consider a First Look Open House for the neighbors. They're nosey and want to see it anyway, and hey – they may know someone who will be interested. Even if they're not, you'll have the chance to impress the heck out of them and connect. ONE DAY they'll be sellers, too. God opens doors all the time when we're in motion. Eyes open. Heart ready. We're here to play the long game.
• Make it fun! Make it appropriate for the area. Some neighborhoods do not lend themselves to balloons and metallic shred blowing in the breeze and some are absolutely perfect for it. Use your brain. Dedicate yourself to the time it will take to gather supplies and do it right. Your reputation is on the line every time; this is a public event. This is no time for a minimalist mentality. Use LOTS of signage. It should be impossible to miss there's an OPEN HOUSE!
• Print a good looking sign-in sheet and remember to add all those contacts to your CRM first thing Monday morning. I mean, we're not doing these things because we've nothing better to do on a Saturday or Sunday. Have nice pens at the ready, along with a stack of your business cards.
• Have cold bottled water in warm weather seasons and perhaps a simple snack option in the daytime. If you're hosting a Friday evening or Saturday evening open house, consider wine and cheese. Let common sense rule the day and always remember, you are hosting an event! Amp it all up! Make them remember YOUR open house amidst all the others they will attend. It doesn't have to cost a lot but it should create a feeling that leads to a solid impression. YOU are on display; not just the house. You don't even have to work that hard to be 1% better than your closest competitor.
• Smack it outta the park with social media! Go by the day before and shoot a quick video of some of this home's best features but don't let us see all of it. Tease it. Leave us wanting to come by! Post a fun collage of the balloons, open house signs, bottled water, wine or whatever your stash looks like for this event. Caption with something fun and post it on all your social media. Ask your colleagues to share it.

When the waters rise, all the boats float. We lose nothing by cheerleading for our life-giving agent friends. Come alongside! They will return the favor but even if they don't? You'll be glad YOU DID.

Brainstorm with the fun agents in your office! Share the things you do that give you joy and bring a little extra zing to your weekend business days. And in case I haven't mentioned lately, I freakin' LOVE walking with you guys in this great season! You're locked and loaded and ready for whatever comes. Let's get to it!