Your success with an open house depends on how well you promote it outdoors. Your open house signs can have a big impact on how people find your house.
Signage that is clear and concise will draw people from busy streets and direct them to your neighborhood. This will make it easy for them to find the right house for them. It won’t take much to point people in the right direction.
An agent who is a top-ranking local professional will have a lot of signs and a plan for marketing your open house. We’ll keep you informed by covering all the basics:
- Open house signs of different types that your agent might use
- Clear signage is a great way to get buyers to your open house.
- When and how to post your open house signs, and when to take them down
- There are many options for where you can get your open house signs printed
- Avoid common open house sign errors
Open house signs in different types
On a weekend, you may see smiling faces of Realtors on A-frames and colorful balloons. Each open house sign serves a different purpose, letting people know about an event and where to find it.
Riders
Used in conjunction with traditional for-sale signs, a real estate rider is a smaller sign that is displayed alongside a larger graphic. You can place riders either below or above the primary picture. They are intended to contain any relevant information that agents or sellers may need. Riders can include text such as “For Sale,” or “Under Contract” in this instance. They may also highlight appealing features of the property (such “waterfront” and “acreage).
Signs for A-frame
“A-frame” is the official term for those sandwich-style menu boards you would see advertising what’s for lunch outside a bistro. This multi-purpose sign is easy to place on the sidewalk or grass to advertise an open house. These metal or plastic frames can be reused and are sturdy enough to fit in the back seat of your car. Ask your agent if they have an A-frame sign that you can use. If not, add balloons or informational riders for extra attention.
Signs indicating direction
Directional signs are arrow-shaped signs that point buyers in the right direction and help them find your open house. These signs make it easy to find your open house, especially at busy intersections and other forks.
Feather flags
Feather flags add visual interest to your open house signage mix. They are made of nylon or polyester and attached to a fiberglass or metal pole for wind resistance and stability. You can stake your flag in the ground or anchor it to a base to advertise your open house with a little extra flair.
Balloons
Although you might think that adults would tire of balloons, a bright display will attract buyers just like children to a birthday party. Agents will often use bright balloons to market open houses. These are some of the most popular options for a striking balloon display.
- Grab a helium tank and inflate 4 or 5 balloons. To add visual interest, tie them to an open house sign using colorful ribbon.
- Use a DIY balloon arch kit to draw the eye and create a happy, colorful archway at the end of the driveway for buyers to walk through as they approach the home.
- A reusable balloon stand is an easy way to create a cluster of balloons without ribbon, string, or helium. To show buyers where to go, simply place your open house balloons in the stand.
- Insert a few specialized “open house” themed balloons in your balloon display to send a clear message.
Interior signs
Placed interior signs will keep potential buyers interested after they have walked through the front door. The interior signs should be welcoming guests and providing any additional information throughout the open house.
You can place interior signs in the following places:
- “Welcome!” is the greeting at the registration table Please log in.
- The front door (to inform guests about where to put their coats and how to remove their shoes).
- Near the refreshments (“Please help yourself!”
- Place it on the countertop or table (“Falling in Love? “Make an offer!”
- The bathroom door (Powder room)
- Highlight unique features of a property, such as heated flooring or exposed brick.
Tips to increase foot traffic to open houses
These are some tips to get more customers through your door
- Remember to pay attention to the detailsIt is easy to forget important information on your open house signs. The text on a directional sign should be kept to a minimum but should still include the date and time. If you have a larger sign (such as an A-frame), ensure that you include all the details and cover every detail.
- The date and the day of the event
- Open house hours
- Name, number, and website of your real estate agent
- Buyers should be aware of additional incentives and home highlights
- Position your signs strategically.
You can still get word out even if your house is not in the center of town. Place your signs in high-traffic areas and pay attention to intersections. When placing your signs, pay attention to intersections. Directional signs will work better in these areas than signs that are deep within subdivisions where people must navigate a maze to find them.” Mike Montpetit, one the most successful agents in Cary, North Carolina, says. “Closer to a busy street’s intersection is better.” - Upload a photo of your sign to social media.
Montpetit says that a sign is more than a physical sign. It’s an online notification. Take a picture of your sign. Bonus points if you have your home in the background! You can share it on your social media platforms along with the listing for your home before your open house. Your signs may contain all the information your visitors need but it is important that your text contains keywords and phrases to ensure it appears in search results. - Color coordinate.
Consistent branding builds customer trust and creates a sense of cohesion. Open house guests should be able to find the agent website for your event. For a strong association with reputable companies, choose signage, flyers, and balloons that match the brand colors of your listing agency.
Place your open house signs at just the right moment
Spread the word about your event well in advance. But don’t bother your neighbors or litter your neighborhood with cardboard.
To tease the date and time of your open house, place a sign or rider a week prior to your open house. Keep it simple and only put the details on one sign. You don’t want strangers to walk in if you aren’t ready!
Next, place 10 to 15 signs or as many as the local regulations permit the night before the open houses. Make sure you have coverage for nearby intersections and all of the possible entrances to the neighborhood.
If you don’t want people to stop coming to your open house, make sure you clean up all signs immediately after it is over. This will reduce the chance of you losing any marketing materials, and it can also help you keep in good standing with your neighbors.
These are the most common mistakes made by open house sign-makers
Do not let a mishap with a sign ruin your open house. These are the top mistakes you should avoid when advertising your event.
- Violation of local rules.
Open house signs are not permitted in all areas. Montpetit recalls the time he lost all his signs before hosting an open house. They were unintentionally cleaned up by an unhappy homeowner’s association. Do not let another setback happen! - Poor sign placement
After you have put up your signs, take a break. Next, get in your car to drive through your neighborhood. Imagine that you don’t even know the neighborhood. Try to find your house by looking at the open house signs. If in doubt, add another sign. You should also make sure that your signs aren’t obscured by obstructions such as telephone poles or landscaping. - Unusual details and small fonts
Buyers won’t want to stop and take their cars off the road. Make sure your signs grab attention and are easy to read from the road. Clear, crisp graphics and big letters are more important than fancy designs or artistry.
Here are some places to print your signs
The listing agent will print your open house signs. However, if you have to run a quick check, be aware of your options.
- Staples:
This big box office giant has many options for sellers who are looking for high-quality signs for open houses. You can upload your image to make a custom sign or use one of their templates. Plus, it’s a one-stop shop for frames, riders, and anything else you’ll need to market your open house. - Vistaprint:
Vistaprint is a popular website for customizing merchandise. There are many design options available, especially if you order your marketing materials in bulk. Sign prices start at $15.74 and you may be able to get a lower price for larger orders. - Super Cheap Signs:
The company uses UV-resistant ink which will ensure that your sign lasts longer and can be passed on to friends once it’s finished. The sign is only $1.99, which is a great price. - Your local printing shop:
For sellers who want to keep their dollars local, a local printing business should be able to handle your open house marketing needs. If you aren’t sure where to start, check your local business directories.
Is your open house a success? All indications point to a positive outcome.
Follow the lead of your agent when you create an open house strategy. If you are a seller and you want to get involved, you can simply be informed about your options, offer to help with signs, and share any information you have. You can also suggest putting signs at the corner of Franklin Ave. and 19th. This is right next to the park.