Definition of "Open house"

Just to be clear: an Open house is not when you invite friends over to meet your new house. At least not in the real estate world.

When you hear someone talking about an Open House, they mean an event where the agent or the home seller opens his house so that interested homebuyers walk in and see with their own eyes how awesome that house is.

Oh, so an Open House is that moment in movies when the guy goes to the house and there are fruit platters and cheesy background music?

Yes, but if you are a real estate agent or home seller doing an Open House, please avoid this cliché. An Open House exists to “wow” home buyers and nothing says wow like being creative, innovative and classy. From the invitation, to the welcome sign outside the house and the event itself.

Because image is everything and the first impression matters, agents usually “dress” the house prior to the Open House. They normally:

-   Mow the lawn
-   Clean the bathrooms and the kitchen thoroughly
-   And sometimes even rearrange the furniture in a way that the house looks bigger and brighter

And of course: quality snacks to win clients by their stomach are a must at an Open House.

No wonder agents use the verb “to stage” when talking about the preparation for an open house, right?

Real Estate tip:

Liked the concept? Read our blog article and learn how to Optimize your next open house
.

Don't like the concept? You can try the Virtual Cyber Tours: The New Way to Show Properties.

Know where to find the best real estate agents with the coolest open houses? Look no further; check out The OFFICIAL Real Estate Agent Directory
® !

 

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Rate of return of capital invested in building improvements. Is segregated from land investments and provides a method of separating property income streams between improvement and land ...

The term adverse possession is a legal principle that allows a person who resides on another person’s land or possesses another person’s land to get a title for that land. There ...

The use of borrower funds by people or business to increase the return on an investment. Examples are a mortgage to purchase real estate and buying real estate stock on margin. ...

An individual legally fit and able to undertake an activity or function. ...

In real estate, the basis to set an adjustable rate mortgage, such as a 6-month certificate of deposit (CD) rate, cost of funds index, or prime rate. A statistical measure stated as ...

Contract that intends to convey property form one individual to another but is defective in one respect. ...

Mortgage loan where for a slight increase in the monthly payment, the loan can be paid off in only 15 years, The overall savings in interest paid to the lender over the life of the 15-year ...

A type of real estate investment trust (REIT) that does not own property but gives short-term financing for construction loans or for permanent mortgage loans for major projects. ...

Amount invested in property in cash. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions