Most open house food suggestions below are mess-free and can withstand being out at room temperature. To help you further, download the food recipes!

Bonus: Download the Recipes for these Open House Food Ideas

Savory bites

Keep your open house spread mess-free and mingle-friendly with bite-sized, easy-to-eat savory food that doesn’t require utensils. Offer a variety of textures and flavors to keep things interesting — from crispy to creamy and spicy to mild.

Have a plan for leftovers. If you don’t want them, take them to a nearby shelter. Remember, not everyone is comfortable eating food provided at an open house, so don’t take it personally if guests pass up on the treats.

Dips

These are easy to serve and versatile, as they require minimal prep and can often be made beforehand. They encourage guests to mingle while snacking, creating a welcoming and social atmosphere.

Sweet treats

Sweets add a touch of indulgence to your open house. Many can be made ahead of time, and they balance out savory options, creating a well-rounded and inviting food spread.

Drinks

Refreshments, whether alcoholic or not, are great for keeping guests hydrated, complementing the food, and enhancing the overall experience. A mix of beverages — from water and juices to cocktails and mocktails — ensures there’s something for everyone and encourages guests to linger and mingle.

Food and drink pairings

I’ve shared pairings based on the open house food suggestions and refreshment options above to help you ensure your event creates a memorable experience for your guests.

Tips on choosing the food and beverages

When going over your open house menu ideas, choosing the right one depends on several factors, including the style or theme, the time of day, and the season.

1. Provide easy-to-eat and mess-free food

• Choose bite-sized or handheld food: Serve mini croissant sandwiches, charcuterie cups, and stuffed pastries since those make it easy for guests to eat while mingling.
• Avoid messy dishes: Stay away from food that drips or requires utensils, like saucy pasta or soup. Instead, serve items in cups and on skewers.

2. Consider the style or theme

• Match the spread to the occasion: Go with finger food for a casual gathering and plated appetizers or elegant bites for an upscale event.
• Stick to the theme: Incorporate food that aligns with the theme, like mini tacos for a fiesta or charcuterie cups for a wine-tasting event.

3. Factor in the time of day and season

• Match the spread to the time of day and season.:

• Morning: Opt for mini pastries, fruit, yogurt parfaits, coffee, and juices.
• Afternoon: Serve mini croissant sandwiches and refreshing juices or infused waters.
• Evening: Go with waffle bites, dips, bite-sized desserts, and even alcoholic drinks.
• Spring: Choose light and fresh items like salmon with cream cheese or cucumber dips.
• Summer: Provide refreshing treats such as fruit skewers, mango salsa trios, and iced tea stations.
• Fall: Offer cozy bites like whipped feta with honey dips, savory waffle bites, and warm apple cider.
• Winter: Serve hearty food such as mini pot pies, baked brie, and hot chocolate bars.

4. Choose unique but simple spreads

• Add a twist to classic dishes: Elevate familiar choices with unexpected ingredients, like waffle bites with smoked salmon or stuffed mini peppers with feta and olives.
• Opt for easy-to-prepare food: Go with dishes you can prep in advance, such as charcuterie boards and dips with veggie dippers.

5. Provide a mix of flavors and dietary options

• alance sweet and savory: Pair salty snacks with sweet treats like cheese-stuffed mini peppers with fruit nachos.
• Provide options for different diets: Serve at least one vegetarian, gluten-free, or dairy-free choice, like caprese skewers or hummus with veggie sticks.

Have trash bins available to keep the space clean when guests are done with their food and drink. Also, display a sign that lets guests know where on the property they can’t bring their snacks.

Benefits of offering special dietary options at your open house

Boosts your professional reputation

• Reflects your attention to detail and hospitality and positions you as client-focused, reinforcing trust and credibility.
• Shows your awareness of modern food preferences, appealing to a diverse audience.
• Demonstrates that you care all your guests feel valued.

Label dishes with symbols (e.g., GF = gluten-free, V = vegan) so your guests can easily identify their options.

Increases engagement

• Can become a talking point among guests as more people are adopting plant-based, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets.
• Encourages social media sharing — guests might snap a picture of your well-labeled spread and tag you.
• Makes your event stand out, leading to better word-of-mouth recommendations.

Encourages longer visits

• Encourages guests to explore the property more since they can comfortably eat and drink.
• Keeps potential buyers engaged and positive while touring the property.
• Allows guests to mingle and connect, increasing the chances of meaningful conversations.

Tips on presenting the food and refreshments

How you present food and drink at an open house can make a big difference in guest experience and overall atmosphere.

• Choose individual or pre-packaged servings. Doing so helps keep everything more sanitary and may encourage attendees to indulge. Look around the home for any wrappers or packaging left behind by guests.
• Use a grab-and-go style setup. Guests may not initially want to take any food or drink you’re offering. However, they may change their mind on the way out. A grab-and-go setup allows for easy access, as anyone coming or going can quickly take what they’d like. 
• Display allergen and alcohol disclaimers next to the food and drink. It’s impossible to know the dietary restrictions of all your guests, so if you’re providing food with common allergens or alcohol in drinks, be sure to have a label making guests aware (e.g., “Contains Nuts” or “Dairy-Free”).
• Customize napkins, coasters, drink stirrers, or bottles. Add your branding to tray liners or stickers on takeaway containers, which can help you stand out among the other properties that your guests may be seeing that day. For instance, if they take a water bottle with your contact info on it, they may be more likely to remember your listing or reach out with questions.

FAQs

Is it required to provide food at an open house?

Should I serve open house refreshments?

How do you prepare for an open house?

The final walkthrough

Refreshments and food for an open house create a welcoming atmosphere, encourage guests to stay longer, and make the event more enjoyable. Easy-to-eat, mess-free options keep things convenient, while a variety of flavors and dietary choices ensure there’s something for everyone. Inform the homeowner what food you’ll provide — and make it your goal to leave the property in the same or better condition than when you arrived.

What do you usually serve at an open house? Let us know in the comments.

The post 32 Open House Food Ideas, Recipes & Pairings To Sell Listings appeared first on The Close.

• Spacio (by HomeSpotter): Best for lead generation
• Curb Hero: Best digital sign-in sheets
• Open House Wizard: Best for identifying quality leads
• Open Home Pro: Best simple free platform
• Happy Open House: Best for quick setup

The Close’s picks for best open house apps

	Standout Features	Monthly Starting Price	Free Trial
	Social media integrations with automated follow-ups and updates	$25	14 days
Visit Spacio
	Seamless QR code sign-ins with microsite marketing	Free	N/A
Visit Curb Hero
	Hot lead notifications and email tracking	Free	14 days for premium versions
Visit Open House Wizard
	Seller reporting and personalized email branding	Free	N/A
Visit Open Home Pro
	CRM integration and customizable registration fields	$10	14 days
Visit Happy Open House

1. Spacio (by HomeSpotter): Best for lead generation

• Pricing: Starts at $25 a month (14-day free trial)
• Available on:

What is the Spacio app?

Spacio is a game-changer for real estate agents looking to streamline their open house process and capture more leads. It can be used to capture more than just basic contact information for your open house attendees, such as social media information, which you can use to nurture these leads in the long run. Combine it with the ability to send email updates and have automated follow-ups, Spacio is an app designed to help you generate as many leads as possible.

While having a digital presence and engaging with leads online can be a crucial first step to getting them in the door, don’t forget about your physical presence as well. Having effective open house signs, for example, is an opportunity for you to showcase your personal branding, and can result in more foot traffic for your property.

Notable features

Spacio comes loaded with a ton of features that can help with lead generation. Here are just a few notable items that can help you accomplish this:

• Automated follow-ups: As a real estate agent, it’s easy to let things slip through the cracks. Give yourself one less thing to worry about by allowing Spacio to automate emails to follow up with leads. Spacio can also be integrated with existing CRMs to easily import data for your existing contacts. 
• Report creation: Keep your seller apprised of the effectiveness of open houses with visually stunning reports showing data on the number of attendees, lead status, and more. 
• Email lists and updates: Capture the attention of those who have previously attended your open houses by notifying them of new properties and other updates that may be of interest to them. 
• Capture social profile data: Spacio allows you to capture the social media information of your open house attendees, giving you another platform to connect and build more meaningful relationships. 
• Custom registration forms: Customized sign-in sheets can allow you to capture the data you want for in-person and virtual open house events.

2. Curb Hero: Best digital sign-in sheets

• Pricing: Free for solo agents
• Available on:

What is the Curb Hero app?

Elevate your open house game with Curb Hero. This sign-in open house app is becoming extremely popular with agents, and it’s easy to see why. For starters, it’s 100% free for agents. That’s right, free! The app offers branded templates for popular brokerages like Compass, Century 21, and Keller Williams with automated follow-up to keep your leads engaged.

Notable features

Capturing contact info from open house attendees may seem simple — however, it often comes with challenges like making sense of illegible handwriting, fumbling with pens or pencils, or dealing with downtime due to unreliable internet access. Here are some features Curb Hero has developed to eliminate those headaches.

• No requirement for internet access: When you’re working at a client’s home, it’s hard to say how reliable internet access can be. It can even be hit-or-miss if you use your own mobile hotspot or cell service. Fortunately, Curb Hero’s sign-in functionality does not require an internet connection. 
• QR code sign-ins: Make the registration process fast and easy for your guests by allowing them to simply scan a QR code. That’s right. No more dealing with illegible handwriting from using pen and paper, or needing to hover over them to walk them through the process.  
• Microsite marketing: Market individual properties with Curb Hero’s microsite functionality, optimized for convenient viewing on mobile devices and social media sites. 
• Data collection & verification: Curb Hero’s lead capture service includes built-in verification and background info collection. It also integrates with over 6,000+ CRMs and marketing tools to allow for multiple ways to follow up with your leads.

3. Open House Wizard: Best for identifying quality leads

• Pricing: $0 to $150+ (14-day free trial)
• Available on:

What is the Open House Wizard app?

Open House Wizard is my pick for the best app to help you identify quality leads. A big reason it makes this possible is that it makes open houses a breeze with open house checklists to ensure nothing is overlooked. With this in mind, Open House Wizard has the functionality to identify leads that are more likely than others to purchase a house in the near future. Tools like email tracking can also help you figure out how interested your open house attendees are.

Notable features

Quality leads can be just as important, if not more important, than getting a large quantity of leads. To this point, Open House Wizard helps you convert your leads with features like mini property marketing sites, flyers, daily visitor reports, and more. 

• Hot lead notifications: Those who visit your open house can exhibit certain characteristics that suggest they are highly likely or very interested in purchasing a property. Examples include those who have attended multiple or previous open houses, which can be flagged as hot leads. 
• AI-powered tools: Powered by OpenAI, you can utilize a text chatbot for visitor registration, create open house flyers, get assistance with emails, quickly generate open house forms, collect visitor feedback, and more. 
• Integrated disclosures: Seamlessly integrate disclosures as part of the guest sign-in process for their acceptance and signature. 
• Email tracking: Determine the effectiveness of your open house campaign as well as the interest level of visitors by getting notifications whenever emails are delivered and read.

4. Open Home Pro: Best simple free platform

• Pricing: Free; paid version for $20 per month if billed annually
• Available on:

What is the Open Home Pro app?

Previously acquired by Placester, Open Home Pro is one of the first open house sign-in apps used by more than 90,000 agents. If you want to avoid the headache of trying to understand or figure out how to integrate multiple features into your business model, Open Home Pro is an excellent choice to consider because it really just focuses on having a digital sign-in sheet for open houses.

The best part? Pricing starts free, and you can always level up to the paid version if you’re looking for premium marketing and lead follow-up features!

Notable features

If you’re just looking for a simple, no-frills platform, Open Home Pro is an excellent option to consider for just getting your feet wet in this new era of real estate tech apps! In addition to being able to integrate with your preferred CRMs, the free version lets you use a digital sign-in sheet for an unlimited number of open houses, create single-property websites for marketing, and provides the ability to share to social media. 

Although not a comprehensive list of features, the paid version provides the following notable functionality:

• Custom sign-in questions: Ditch the standard list of questions and have your clients answer the questions you’re really burning to know! Custom questions can include options for multiple choice, yes/no, and plain text responses. 
• Personalized email branding: Stand out from the competition by having your emails customized with your company branding!
• Automated follow-ups: Save time from having to follow up with individual clients with the use of automated emails. 
• Seller summary reports: Keep your sellers updated as to the effectiveness of the open house events with reports that show details on each individual visitor.

5. Happy Open House: Best for quick setup

• Pricing: Starts at $10 a month (14-day free trial)
• Available on:

What is the Happy Open House app?

As a real estate agent, your time is valuable! That’s why I love Happy Open House’s app. You can sign up for the service in a matter of seconds, with only another few minutes to complete set up. After that, you’ll be on your way, and you can focus on other tasks! You’ll be able to bring your open house ideas to life with the app’s intuitive setup, which allows you to include property details and photos and customize questions for your visitors.

Additionally, while there is no free version of the app, there is a 14-day free trial, and you can sign up without needing to provide a credit card.

Notable features

If you want to level up your business without spending too much time, Happy Open House can get you up and running with its platform in a matter of minutes. Despite being able to get set up quickly, you’ll still have access to a number of useful features, such as:

• QR code and custom sign-in questions: Allow your open house guests to quickly sign in by scanning a QR code, and get answers to questions specific to your property and seller’s needs with custom registration questions. 
• Hot lead indicators: Quickly identify motivated buyers with reports that show who has visited a property more than once. 
• Bulk emails: Easily notify leads of updates or news with mass email messaging. 
• Seller reports: Keep your sellers happy with regular reporting that contains details of the foot traffic they’re getting from the open houses. 
• CRM integration: Automatically add and sync contacts from your existing CRM, marketing platform, or other similar app.

Honorable mentions

These last three programs are worth mentioning, even though an app isn’t available. They may not be widely known, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make a big impact on your business. Take a look at these web-based products to see if any of them are right for your business.

Pro tip: You can make any web-based program a button on your phone’s home screen so it appears as an app and is easily accessible.

• For iPhones: When you’re on the website, tap the menu button (looks like a rectangle with an arrow pointing up). Scroll down and select “Add to Home Screen.”
• For Androids: Go to the website you want to add and tap the menu (looks like three dots in the upper right corner). Tap on “Add to Home Screen.”

Showable

• Best for: Maximizing showings
• Pricing: $0, $9, or $29 per month
• Available on: Web Only

What is the Showable app?

Showable is your new secret weapon for killer open houses! This open house app includes all of the perks and simplicity of digital sign-in with the added benefits of appointment scheduling, virtual tours, email templates, and marketing.

Showable features that make open houses easier

Showable handles follow-ups for you, so staying in touch with potential clients is a snap. Connect with agents who have shown the home by sending broadcast emails directly from your dashboard. Agents can also request showing appointments quickly through an online booking calendar, making scheduling showings hassle-free.

Kagent

• Best for: Showing feedback
• Pricing: $25 per month
• Available on: Web Only

What is the Kagent app?

Kagent is an excellent tool to use if you want feedback from your open house attendees. This is something you can use to boost attendance and enhance your visitors’ open house experience. With QR code functionality, attendees can quickly and easily register and access your custom surveys.  And, because Kagent sponsors a prize drawing (at no cost to you), they’ll have an incentive to register using your QR code.

Kagent features that make open houses easier

Kagent simplifies open houses with QR code generation, quick surveys, and a streamlined design. It took me less than five minutes to assemble an open house sign-in sheet, including setting up my account. Kagent connects with over 3,000 CRMs and other real estate tools. The standard version of Kagent is free for 1 month, after which pricing starts at $25 monthly.

Real Team Code

• Best for: One-click reports
• Pricing: Starts at $20 a month (billed annually)
• Available on: Web Only

What is the Real Team Code app?

Generating reports with the data you need is often a time-consuming and tedious process. However, Real Team Code simplifies that and allows for one-click reports through the regular use of its platform. Once all of the sign-in data for an open house event has been collected, you can easily download the information and generate reports catered to your specific audience, whether it be sellers, team leads, or brokers.

Real Team Code features that make open houses easier

Coordinate with agents, gather feedback from visitors, and handle other essential tasks related to hosting a successful open house. Step One? Create your event. Step Two? Manage communications and collect information. Step Three? Download the data and generate reports. Everything you need for a successful open house and lead generation is at your fingertips.

Methodology: How I chose the best open house apps

In selecting the best open house apps real estate agents can use to get more leads, the methodology at The Close considered factors that would ultimately increase your odds of becoming a successful real estate agent. Having more leads is key to eventually landing a client, so you’ll want as many opportunities as you can get when it comes to finding and nurturing potential business relationships.

The factors I considered when researching open house apps centered around the potential return on investment, likelihood of generating leads, amount of time needed to learn or set up the model, as well as what its current and former customers have thought of the platform. 

Here are the factors I looked into:

• Affordability
  • I don’t know about you, but price is often one of the first things I look at for a new product or service! That’s because I know there’s always a small risk that I might not get enough value for what I pay for.
• Features
  • I evaluated the specific set of features offered by various open house apps in determining how they compared with competitors, and whether they’d give an agent a leg up in the industry. 
• Ease of use
  • Time is money! The easier an app is to use, the less time you’ll need to spend setting it up, and the more you can focus on other aspects of your business.
• User reviews and ratings
  • Probably one of the best ways to get an idea of what your experience will be with an app is to see what current and former users have to say about it.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Should I serve food at an open house?

Do scripts work at an open house, or should I ditch them?

How do I host an online open house?

Bringing it all together

Hosting an open house should be fun and focused on building relationships to sell your listing. Ditch the old-school pen and paper that can get lost and messy. Open house apps allow agents — both tech-savvy and not — to get quality contact info and feedback while spending more time getting to know potential clients.

What open house apps do you use to connect with leads and promote your listings? I’d love to check out some new and upcoming apps to review. Let me know in the comments!

The post 5 Open House Apps Agents Use to Get More Leads in 2025 appeared first on The Close.

We’ll walk you through our detailed approach to farming, outline the costs involved, and review all the tools you’ll need.

What is farming in real estate?

Real estate farming is a lead generation and marketing strategy agents use to generate consistent business from a specific geographic area.

Agents “farm” a specific neighborhood by providing consistent value while cultivating relationships and generating leads that evolve into long-term clients. This practice also helps build a reliable business. Ultimately, the goal is to become the local expert and go-to agent for a particular geographic area.

How to approach real estate farming: 4 steps

1. Target the Right Neighborhood

Computing for the turnover rate

To get the rate of homes sold/turnover rate, look back 12 months to see how many homes were listed for sale in your farming area, and how many sold. You can find this information in Zillow or your multiple listing service (MLS). We want to know the rate of homes sold to tell us how many months of inventory are in this neighborhood. Take your time frame (let’s say, one year or 365 days) and divide that by the number of homes sold.

Stick with me to get the absorption rate. To do this, we’ll multiply the number of homes sold by the rate of homes sold.

Now you know that the current market conditions of the farm you’ve chosen are pretty hot — as long as market conditions remain consistent. 

Next, gather information on your farm area and get to know the market backward and forward. In addition to understanding average sales prices and days on market (DOM), you’ll need to know the average age and income of homeowners, typical home styles and age, local employers, upcoming developments, zoning and permitting regulations, neighborhood amenities, and other local agents who might be competition. Use the tools at your disposal, like your local MLS and market reports from a place like Altos Research.

Arming yourself with neighborhood knowledge will immediately help you stick out when you get a lead from your efforts.

2. Plan how & when to deliver value to your farm

This neighborhood strategy goes a long way in easily establishing you as the local expert. It’s also easy to do — once a month, send out your postcards to your farm. We like PostcardMania for this because their designs are simple. Try to include images of the recently sold homes—your farm will recognize the homes and they will come to associate you with the neighborhood.

3. Make a plan to manage & track your leads

4. Start delivering value

Are you looking for more clever real estate marketing ideas to up your game? We’ve got you.

How much does it cost to get started? 

So yes, unfortunately, there will be a cost to getting started. But if done right, your efforts can pay off tenfold! And while it can be tempting to cheap out on products and services, sometimes you really do get what you pay for. Try to keep that in mind, as you may not get a sufficient return on investment with less expensive offerings. 

Startup costs for everyone will vary. However, I’ve run through the numbers for what I would consider a fairly typical real estate farming operation of 250 homes. The bottom line estimate comes out to around $11,000, broken down as follows:

We go into each tool and how to use each one for your farming strategy in the next section.

Understandably, $11,000 as an estimated startup cost can be an alarmingly high figure, I’ll give you that. But try to put it in perspective and look at the bigger picture, as farming can be a crucial part of growing your real estate business! 

For instance, considering a typical home sales price of $400,000 with a standard 3% commission, that would equate to gross earnings of $12,000. In other words, getting just a single client from this farming operation would be enough to cover these startup costs.

Essential real estate farming tools you’ll need

Having the proper tools is a key part of running an effective real estate farming operation. Many of the tools we’ll cover have been mentioned in the cost estimate in the prior section. Here, I’ll go through each and how they can be an effective part of your real estate farming operation.

Regularly scheduled real estate postcards

• Frequency: Once or twice per quarter
• Typical annual cost (250 homes): $1,000-$2,000
• Our suggested provider: ProspectsPLUS!
• The Close resource: Real Estate Postcard Templates to Generate Leads

Direct mail is the backbone of your farming campaign. Postcards and flyers are the ideal tools to convey messages, statistics, and authority to your farm area.

Use direct mail to deliver quarterly touches. Mix it up with a snapshot of the market, recipe, inspirational quote, joke, or sports schedule — anything that will provide value to your recipients.

ProspectsPLUS! has dozens of geographic farming campaign postcards, perfect for quarterly mailings that keep you top of mind.

On-demand postcards

• Frequency: Whenever a home is listed or sells in your farm area
• Typical annual cost (250 homes): $3,000~
• Our suggested provider: PostcardMania
• The Close resource: Circle Prospecting Strategies to Boost Lead Generation

Using on-demand postcards to notify potential clients about recent sales and listings in their neighborhood can be an excellent way to showcase your brand, expertise, and ability to stay up-to-date with the latest market trends. 

Additionally, from a homeowner’s perspective, receiving these updates can be minimally invasive and quick to glance through. It can serve as a potential motivating factor and an excellent way for you to get new listings if they are intrigued by the information they’re presented with, like a nearby home that fetched a high sales price. If they were on the fence about selling, then you might be the first one they call once they change their mind to see how much they might make by putting their home on the market!

If you don’t have a service provider to help with this, you can use PostcardMania. In addition to bulk mail and direct mail services, PostcardMania can also provide guidance with designing your postcards.

Farm-specific content on your blog

• Frequency: At least monthly
• Typical annual cost (250 homes): Free (as long as you have a website)
• Our suggested provider: AgentFire
• The Close resource: Real Estate Blog Ideas (+ Examples & Expert Tips)

Your farm area should have a dedicated section on your website where you can post weekly updates about the micro-neighborhood market, neighborhood goings-on, and even events in and around town. Your content can be short and sweet, with five or six sentences and a picture.

If you’re in need of a website or want to revamp an existing one, AgentFire is one of my favorites. Besides offering readily available templates for agents wanting to get up and running quickly, it allows for a high level of website customization and is packed with features like IDX integrations, engagement and conversion tools to capture quality leads, and other SEO tools.

With that being said, remember that your website should serve multiple functions. It should be a hub for information on your neighborhood and showcase to potential clients that you’re the local expert.

Market update letters

• Frequency: Quarterly
• Typical annual cost (250 homes quarterly): $1,000
• Our suggested provider: Coffee & Contracts
• The Close resource: Our Best Real Estate Prospecting Letter Templates

A real estate letter can share in-depth, thoughtful market insights and analysis, but it’s also a chance to talk about what’s going on in your business or give shoutouts to those doing good work in your community. Share messages that communicate that you’re the expert for buying and selling homes, but — perhaps just as importantly — you’re also the expert at living in your community.

If you’re farming a luxury, higher-end neighborhood, consider your design elements. You can use a service like Coffee & Contracts to put together a high-end, aesthetically pleasing, branded market update for your farm.

Neighborhood website

• Frequency: New content one to two times a month
• Typical annual cost: Starting at $3,500
• Our suggested provider: Easy Agent Pro
• The Close resource: Best Real Estate Website Builders

With Easy Agent Pro, you can create an unlimited number of neighborhood sites. This helps establish your credibility and improves your website rank in the top results for SEO. For example, Keeton & Co Real Estate has 19 different neighborhood sites for Goochland, Ga. Each one of these sites includes a small summary of the area, notable points of interest and activities, nearby restaurants, and amenities.

As a tip, also try including interviews with neighborhood business owners, local news, coupons, and, of course, all the latest information about the real estate market.

By choosing to work with Easy Agent Pro, you’ll be able to create websites that are focused on driving engaged leads directly to your website. There are other providers on this list that focus on SEO, but we like how easy it is for agents to make small edits to these premade pages. Book your free consultation below.

Door hangers for your annual door-knocking session

• Frequency: Once a year
• Typical annual cost: Starting at $500
• Our suggested provider: ProspectsPLUS!
• The Close resource: Fun Real Estate Door Hanger Ideas to Inspire You

You might think that door hangers might be a waste of time and money. After all, before I got into the real estate business, I would just throw away any door hangers I got on my home!

However, it wasn’t until I became more experienced that I realized door hangers are most effective when you’ve already had some form of communication with the residents. This way, residents already know of you and the value you’ve already provided, making them more likely to read the door hanger and reach out to you.

I looked into a few different services for door hangers and fell in love with ProspectsPLUS. It has door hanger templates for a wide range of uses, such as agents looking for listings, agents posting updates on recently sold properties, properties that have recently been listed, and more. ProspectsPLUS also provides the option for you to design your own door hanger by uploading a customized design.

Automated home value email updates

• Frequency: Once a month
• Typical annual cost: $0-$300+
• Our suggested provider: Zillow
• The Close resource: Real Estate Email Templates for Real Estate Leads

Many homeowners struggle with being able to confidently estimate the value of their home. In this sense, it’s an area where you can provide a lot of added value with the use of automated home value email updates.

Regular email updates can allow homeowners to track the value of their home over a period of time, and can be a good motivating factor when it comes to deciding whether they want to sell the home and use you as their agent.

Zillow has a feature called Home Reports that will allow you to obtain regular updates about a specific home’s property value. It calls its property valuation estimates a Zestimate, and one of the things I personally love about its Zestimates is that it has data showing the accuracy of its figures. For example, as of the time of this writing, Zillow states that its nationwide median error rate for listed homes is 1.94%, while the error rate for off-market homes is 7.06%.

An annual sponsored event

• Frequency: Once a year
• Typical annual cost: Starting at $1,000
• Our suggested provider: You!
• The Close resource: Top Client Appreciation Event Ideas for Realtors

Whether you’re throwing a summer block party and BBQ, a holiday gathering, a wine tasting, or a Super Bowl watch party, events are a fun way to meet and greet community members. And considering that more than a third of buyers used a real estate agent they knew or were referred to (according to the National Association of Realtors), this is a fantastic method to expand your sphere of influence to get more buyer leads.

If you’re new to events, start with something you know will be a hit, like a pumpkin giveaway in October or a trivia night with great prizes. Or, try sponsoring a neighborhood garage sale, a community fireworks display in July, or a community service project with plenty of food and drinks afterward to celebrate all that hard work.

Where does social media fit into real estate farming?

Social media doesn’t replace traditional farming techniques, but it can go a long way in enhancing them. Many local neighborhoods have their own Facebook groups. Some homeowner associations also have dedicated websites and social profiles, not to mention active residents on social platforms.

We’ve got you covered if you’re looking for a deep dive into social media post ideas. The Close’s own Sean Moudry suggests this proven, unique social media approach to farming:

Start by connecting with members of your farm area using your personal social media profile. Then, using Facebook, create a custom audience for specific posts that includes only the people in your farm.

Sean Moudry, Real Estate Broker, Close Contributor

Sean’s strategy is great for promoting any neighborhood-specific content you’ve created for your website, like market updates or neighborhood guides.

Real estate farming Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is it called ‘farming’?

What kinds of activities constitute real estate farming?

Why should my real estate farm be 500 homes or less?

How much of my real estate farming message should be about the local market?

What kind of results should I expect from my real estate farm?

What if another agent is already farming in that area?

How long does it take for a real estate farm to produce results?

Bringing it all together

Real estate farming is an effective means of prospecting and developing a consistent source of seller and buyer leads. The best part about farming is that the rate of return on your investment improves over time as your messaging gets sharper, more people recognize you, and your sales stats in the neighborhood improve.

Have a real estate farming idea we didn’t cover? Let us know in the comment section!

The post Real Estate Farming: How to Become the Go-to Agent in Your Neighborhood appeared first on The Close.

AI will never replace the human component, as personal connections can be incredibly important in the real estate industry. However, it does help by giving us more time in our day to spend nurturing and growing relationships to close deals. 

Here are my picks for the best AI-powered tools to help with various aspects of your business.

• CINC: Best for AI lead generation and nurturing
• Top Producer: Best for AI farming tools
• Agent Image: Best AI-powered website tools
• Offrs: Best for AI predictive analytics
• Lone Wolf: Best for AI-powered email communications
• Style to Design: Best for AI virtual staging

The Close’s top picks for best AI tools for real estate agents

Type of Software	Standout Features	Starting Price
	AI-powered lead scoring algorithm & automated messaging	$899/month + $200/month for AI features
Visit CINC
	Contact management & integrations with CRMs, MLS, and social media	$179/month
Visit Top Producer
	AI-powered email templates, task tracking, and email follow-ups	$33.25/month
Visit Lone Wolf
	IDX integrations and custom market report generation	$99/month
Visit Agent Image
	ISA team support for pre-qualification of leads	$399/month
Visit Offrs
	AI-powered virtual staging	$19.99/month, Minimum three-month commitment
Visit Style to Design

CINC: Best for AI lead generation & nurturing

Pros	Cons
24/7 lead nurturing	AI tool only available as an add-on
Conversation scripts	Unable to turn off middle-of-the-night chat
Nurturing via text message	No AI capabilities via email

Learn more in our in-depth CINC review.

Why I chose CINC

CINC is also one of The Close’s picks for the best real estate lead generation companies, and its AI, Alex, emphasizes that as its AI lead expert. Alex chats with new leads and sorts them into three groups: new, active, and old. You’ll get notifications about these leads, including what Alex last said, so you know where to pick up the conversation. CINC created the AI through a partnership with Structurely and designed it to make these interactions with clients more human-like, relevant, and with improved scripting.

Additional features

• Automated messages: Follow up with your emails and texts without missing a beat. 
• Lead scoring algorithm: Prioritize your leads based on an algorithm that lets you know which ones to focus on.

Top Producer: Best for AI farming tools

Pros	Cons
Full CRM with contact management	No free trial
MLS integration	No document management features
Social media posting and management	No money-back guarantee

Learn more in our in-depth Top Producer review.

Why I chose Top Producer

Top Producer knows that farming is a crucial component of your business, so it uses AI to make this prospecting technique even more profitable for you. Smart Targeting tools help you identify an area to target, and its predictive AI system finds potential sellers. 

Once it determines who is likely to sell, a multichannel marketing campaign is set into action, including postcards, email marketing, online ads, and handwritten letters. When the leads come in, they will be sent to landing pages to convert into clients.

Additional features

• Website builder: Build a professional real estate website to attract leads and create an online presence.
• CRM: Track all incoming leads in the CRM and automate follow-up.

Agent Image: Best AI-powered website tools

Pros	Cons
Track record of developing high-quality websites	Pricing is not stated up front
Wide range of customizable website tools	CRM and some other features must be purchased separately
Offers IDX integration into existing websites	Custom web designs typically require 8 to 12 weeks to build

Why I chose Agent Image

Agent Image has a strong track record of creating visually stunning websites that have been able to drive more traffic to a real estate agent’s business. Agent Image offers IDX packages powered by AI that allows for things like the automatic updating of property listings, property searches, personalized recommendations, behavior-based email automations, and up-to-date market data and insights. 

Agent Image’s web design services are a more ideal fit for those marketing to the luxury market. As such, you might find that prices for some of its packages are a bit on the higher end.

Additional features

• Multiple MLS boards: Agents that are part of multiple markets can include all MLS boards in the IDX package for their website. 
• Hotsheets: Eliminate hours of research and quickly generate custom market reports showing various housing data such as new listings, price changes, and properties recently sold or under contract. 
• Lead capture tools: Add various tools to your website that provide value to your readers, something that can provide quality leads for your business. Examples include mortgage calculators, home valuation tools, maps, property alerts, and contact forms.

Offrs: Best for AI Predictive Analytics

Pros	Cons
Unlimited seller leads	Nonexclusive leads
Inside sales and marketing team with no upfront costs	Long lead conversion time
Unique ad tools that help connect your analog and digital marketing	Smart Data CRM not user-friendly

Why I chose Offrs

Offrs has positioned itself as a top option for any real estate agent looking to harness the power of predictive analytics. It arms you with the edge you need to win listings by providing leads for potential sellers before they ever hit the market. Using sophisticated algorithms coupled with big data analysis, you’ll get predictive seller leads that point out those homeowners likely to sell soon. This insight lets you reach out to sellers before they list their homes, giving you a significant advantage in securing new listings.

Additional features

• ISA team: They make the initial contact, confirm interest, and gather details necessary to make it easy for you to follow through on closure. 

Lead capture ads: Ads are specifically set up and optimized to capture contact information from interested prospects and place it directly into your lead pipeline.

Lone Wolf: Best for AI-powered email communications

Pros	Cons
Integrations with third-party calendar apps	Add-ons have limited AI functionality
Automated follow-ups on tasks	24/7 support only available through a community board
Add-ons available to expand functionality	Add-ons come with added costs

Why I chose Lone Wolf

Lone Wolf — which acquired LionDesk, one of our top-recommended CRM systems — offers an all-in-one real estate platform designed to allow you to manage virtually all aspects of your firm. This includes an exceptional CRM system to grow your business, as well as tools to manage transactions from start to finish. Lone Wolf’s AI functionality is included with its client management platform called Relationships, which is available as part of its Foundation platform. 

AI tools include templates and personalized emails that can be used for each stage of a transaction, from welcoming new clients, ensuring that every aspect of a transaction is addressed, and congratulating clients on their new home.

Additional features

• Task tracking: Integrations with third-party calendar apps like Google and Outlook can help ensure you never miss an appointment or task ever again.  
• Automated communication tools: Emails can automatically be sent to contacts on a rules-based system, such as whenever a transaction moves to a new milestone. 
• Analytics: Get market insights such as inventory levels, sales prices, and more to allow you to better assist your clients with finding properties and making competitive offers.

Style to Design: Best for AI for virtual staging

Pros	Cons
Customizable design templates	Minimum commitment for all plans
Staging and design courses	Unable to edit images other than property photos
Design team available for simulations	Coaching only offered in enterprise plans

Why I chose Style to Design

Style to Design is not limited to real estate agents and brokerages. Anyone who wants to be an expert on listing marketing and image rendering can use this software. The memberships are affordable and cost less than outsourcing the work. 

The seamless virtual staging experience allows you to transform empty spaces effortlessly into beautifully staged homes. Leverage this tool to showcase the marketing team during listing presentations without the additional overhead costs of employing multiple staff members.

Style by Design is also a great AI tool for real estate investors because it can show what a renovation would look like.

Additional features

• Design academy: Take courses ranging from staging and design certification to leveraging AI to stage your listings virtually.
• Design community: Access to coaching to help you become an expert in virtual staging and renovation, so you can sell your real estate services with design included. 

Methodology: How I chose the best real estate AI tools

Our methodology at The Close ensures that our team of professionals, writers, and editors thoroughly analyzes each platform. We meticulously evaluate the features, usability, integration capabilities, performance, and affordability of the best AI tools for real estate agents. 

We selected the most effective and reliable real estate AI tools for agents to support business growth and success. This rigorous process ensures that our recommendations help agents streamline operations, enhance client interactions, and achieve business goals.

Detailed criteria included the following to determine the best AI in real estate tools: 

• Feature set and functionality: We evaluated the range of features each tool offers and focused on how impactful this feature is to the real estate operations. 
• Usability and user experience: We looked for tools with intuitive interfaces, straightforward navigation, and comprehensive support resources such as tutorials, FAQs, and customer service. We want to ensure a platform can be launched easily and integrated into an agent’s workflow. 
• Integration capabilities: Because so many tools are needed in the real estate industry, we want to ensure that an agent’s technology stack can communicate with other tools necessary for business. 
• Effectiveness and performance: We considered the effectiveness of each tool to make sure that it increased productivity and would achieve the desired outcomes that it promises. 
• Affordability and value for money: Cost was an important consideration. We looked for tools that provide a good balance of features and affordability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much technical skill is required to use a real estate AI tool?

How does AI improve real estate lead generation and nurturing?

Can real estate AI tools integrate with an existing CRM system?

Are there any free AI-powered tools that can be used for real estate?

Why should I use AI as a real estate agent?

Your Take

Leveraging the best AI for real estate is not as daunting as it may initially seem. AI tools can automate routine tasks, provide data-driven insights, and enhance client interactions. The time saved allows you to focus on higher-value activities like building client relationships and closing deals. This increased efficiency will improve your productivity and enhance the overall client experience to ensure you keep filling up your sales funnel. 

Have you incorporated AI into your business yet? Let us know!

The post The Best 6 Real Estate AI Tools for 2025 appeared first on The Close.

AI will never replace the human component, as personal connections can be incredibly important in the real estate industry. However, it does help by giving us more time in our day to spend nurturing and growing relationships to close deals. 

Here are my picks for the best AI-powered tools to help with various aspects of your business.

• CINC: Best for AI lead generation and nurturing
• Top Producer: Best for AI farming tools
• Lone Wolf: Best for AI-powered email communications
• Agent Image: Best AI-powered website tools
• Offrs: Best for AI predictive analytics
• Style to Design: Best for AI virtual staging

The Close’s top picks for best AI tools for real estate agents

Type of Software	Standout Features	Starting Price
	AI-powered lead scoring algorithm & automated messaging	$899/month + $200/month for AI features
Visit CINC
	Contact management & integrations with CRMs, MLS, and social media	$179/month
Visit Top Producer
	AI-powered email templates, task tracking, and email follow-ups	$33.25/month
Visit Lone Wolf
	IDX integrations and custom market report generation	$99/month
Visit Agent Image
	ISA team support for pre-qualification of leads	$399/month
Visit Offrs
	AI-powered virtual staging	$19.99/month, Minimum three-month commitment
Visit Style to Design

CINC: Best for AI lead generation & nurturing

Pros	Cons
24/7 lead nurturing	AI tool only available as an add-on
Conversation scripts	Unable to turn off middle-of-the-night chat
Nurturing via text message	No AI capabilities via email

Learn more in our in-depth CINC review.

Why I chose CINC

CINC is also one of The Close’s picks for the best real estate lead generation companies, and its AI, Alex, emphasizes that as its AI lead expert. Alex chats with new leads and sorts them into three groups: new, active, and old. You’ll get notifications about these leads, including what Alex last said, so you know where to pick up the conversation. CINC created the AI through a partnership with Structurely and designed it to make these interactions with clients more human-like, relevant, and with improved scripting.

Additional features

• Automated messages: Follow up with your emails and texts without missing a beat. 
• Lead scoring algorithm: Prioritize your leads based on an algorithm that lets you know which ones to focus on.

Top Producer: Best for AI farming tools

Pros	Cons
Full CRM with contact management	No free trial
MLS integration	No document management features
Social media posting and management	No money-back guarantee

Learn more in our in-depth Top Producer review.

Why I chose Top Producer

Top Producer knows that farming is a crucial component of your business, so it uses AI to make this prospecting technique even more profitable for you. Smart Targeting tools help you identify an area to target, and its predictive AI system finds potential sellers. 

Once it determines who is likely to sell, a multichannel marketing campaign is set into action, including postcards, email marketing, online ads, and handwritten letters. When the leads come in, they will be sent to landing pages to convert into clients.

Additional features

• Website builder: Build a professional real estate website to attract leads and create an online presence.
• CRM: Track all incoming leads in the CRM and automate follow-up.

Lone Wolf: Best for AI-powered email communications

Pros	Cons
Integrations with third-party calendar apps	Add-ons have limited AI functionality
Automated follow-ups on tasks	24/7 support only available through a community board
Add-ons available to expand functionality	Add-ons come with added costs

Why I chose Lone Wolf

Lone Wolf — which acquired LionDesk, one of our top-recommended CRM systems — offers an all-in-one real estate platform designed to allow you to manage virtually all aspects of your firm. This includes an exceptional CRM system to grow your business, as well as tools to manage transactions from start to finish. Lone Wolf’s AI functionality is included with its client management platform called Relationships, which is available as part of its Foundation platform. 

AI tools include templates and personalized emails that can be used for each stage of a transaction, from welcoming new clients, ensuring that every aspect of a transaction is addressed, and congratulating clients on their new home.

Additional features

• Task tracking: Integrations with third-party calendar apps like Google and Outlook can help ensure you never miss an appointment or task ever again.  
• Automated communication tools: Emails can automatically be sent to contacts on a rules-based system, such as whenever a transaction moves to a new milestone. 
• Analytics: Get market insights such as inventory levels, sales prices, and more to allow you to better assist your clients with finding properties and making competitive offers.

Agent Image: Best AI-powered website tools

Pros	Cons
Track record of developing high-quality websites	Pricing is not stated up front
Wide range of customizable website tools	CRM and some other features must be purchased separately
Offers IDX integration into existing websites	Custom web designs typically require 8 to 12 weeks to build

Why I chose Agent Image

Agent Image has a strong track record of creating visually stunning websites that have been able to drive more traffic to a real estate agent’s business. Agent Image offers IDX packages powered by AI that allows for things like the automatic updating of property listings, property searches, personalized recommendations, behavior-based email automations, and up-to-date market data and insights. 

Agent Image’s web design services are a more ideal fit for those marketing to the luxury market. As such, you might find that prices for some of its packages are a bit on the higher end.

Additional features

• Multiple MLS boards: Agents that are part of multiple markets can include all MLS boards in the IDX package for their website. 
• Hotsheets: Eliminate hours of research and quickly generate custom market reports showing various housing data such as new listings, price changes, and properties recently sold or under contract. 
• Lead capture tools: Add various tools to your website that provide value to your readers, something that can provide quality leads for your business. Examples include mortgage calculators, home valuation tools, maps, property alerts, and contact forms.

Offrs: Best for AI Predictive Analytics

Pros	Cons
Unlimited seller leads	Nonexclusive leads
Inside sales and marketing team with no upfront costs	Long lead conversion time
Unique ad tools that help connect your analog and digital marketing	Smart Data CRM not user-friendly

Why I chose Offrs

Offrs has positioned itself as a top option for any real estate agent looking to harness the power of predictive analytics. It arms you with the edge you need to win listings by providing leads for potential sellers before they ever hit the market. Using sophisticated algorithms coupled with big data analysis, you’ll get predictive seller leads that point out those homeowners likely to sell soon. This insight lets you reach out to sellers before they list their homes, giving you a significant advantage in securing new listings.

Additional features

• ISA team: They make the initial contact, confirm interest, and gather details necessary to make it easy for you to follow through on closure. 

Lead capture ads: Ads are specifically set up and optimized to capture contact information from interested prospects and place it directly into your lead pipeline.

Style to Design: Best for AI for virtual staging

Pros	Cons
Customizable design templates	Minimum commitment for all plans
Staging and design courses	Unable to edit images other than property photos
Design team available for simulations	Coaching only offered in enterprise plans

Why I chose Style to Design

Style to Design is not limited to real estate agents and brokerages. Anyone who wants to be an expert on listing marketing and image rendering can use this software. The memberships are affordable and cost less than outsourcing the work. 

The seamless virtual staging experience allows you to transform empty spaces effortlessly into beautifully staged homes. Leverage this tool to showcase the marketing team during listing presentations without the additional overhead costs of employing multiple staff members.

Style by Design is also a great AI tool for real estate investors because it can show what a renovation would look like.

Additional features

• Design academy: Take courses ranging from staging and design certification to leveraging AI to stage your listings virtually.
• Design community: Access to coaching to help you become an expert in virtual staging and renovation, so you can sell your real estate services with design included. 

Methodology: How I chose the best real estate AI tools

Our methodology at The Close ensures that our team of professionals, writers, and editors thoroughly analyzes each platform. We meticulously evaluate the features, usability, integration capabilities, performance, and affordability of the best AI tools for real estate agents. 

We selected the most effective and reliable real estate AI tools for agents to support business growth and success. This rigorous process ensures that our recommendations help agents streamline operations, enhance client interactions, and achieve business goals.

Detailed criteria included the following to determine the best AI in real estate tools: 

• Feature set and functionality: We evaluated the range of features each tool offers and focused on how impactful this feature is to the real estate operations. 
• Usability and user experience: We looked for tools with intuitive interfaces, straightforward navigation, and comprehensive support resources such as tutorials, FAQs, and customer service. We want to ensure a platform can be launched easily and integrated into an agent’s workflow. 
• Integration capabilities: Because so many tools are needed in the real estate industry, we want to ensure that an agent’s technology stack can communicate with other tools necessary for business. 
• Effectiveness and performance: We considered the effectiveness of each tool to make sure that it increased productivity and would achieve the desired outcomes that it promises. 
• Affordability and value for money: Cost was an important consideration. We looked for tools that provide a good balance of features and affordability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much technical skill is required to use a real estate AI tool?

How does AI improve real estate lead generation and nurturing?

Can real estate AI tools integrate with an existing CRM system?

Are there any free AI-powered tools that can be used for real estate?

Why should I use AI as a real estate agent?

Your Take

Leveraging the best AI for real estate is not as daunting as it may initially seem. AI tools can automate routine tasks, provide data-driven insights, and enhance client interactions. The time saved allows you to focus on higher-value activities like building client relationships and closing deals. This increased efficiency will improve your productivity and enhance the overall client experience to ensure you keep filling up your sales funnel. 

Have you incorporated AI into your business yet? Let us know!

The post The Best 6 Real Estate AI Tools for 2025 appeared first on The Close.

Biases aside, it’s not like it can’t be easy and exciting for both you and your attendees; a number of technological advancements have made for some simple ways to make your open house a bash. Here are a couple of real estate open house ideas you can use to up your open house game.

Nail down the basics

Preparing for an open house is pretty straightforward, but forgetting the little things that could help ensure your event’s success is easy. It’s as simple as preparing a checklist and scripts, inviting neighbors and past clients, and working with other agents in the area.

1. Use an open house checklist to stay organized.

• Cost: Free
  
  Using a checklist to track open house necessities like home staging, posting on social media, and preparing handout materials keeps you on task so that you’re not scrambling around at the last minute. Preparation also maximizes your lead potential since you’ll feel more relaxed and confident interacting with guests instead of worrying if you forgot something.
• Use this tip: Create an open house checklist of all the tasks you must do before, during, and after your open house. If you’re short on time, check out The Close’s open house checklist — and there’s a free downloadable for you to use.

2. Knock on doors to invite the neighbors.

• Cost: Free
  
  Door-knocking is a tried-and-true way to become a top agent in your area. The personal connection it offers is hard to beat. In fact, data from PropertyRadar predicts that out of 100 doors knocked on, 20 of those typically lead to a meaningful conversation — and around 10% of those turn into quality leads.
• Use this tip: Having a script ready can make this effort easier and faster for you. Check out our comprehensive article with door knocking tips and scripts.

3. Reach out to past clients to boost attendance.

• Cost: Free
  
  If you’ve been doing real estate right, you’ll know how important it is to keep close to past clients. Besides potentially offering referrals, some may even be interested in moving into a new home — and given that they’ve worked with you before, they’ll be more inclined to attend your event.
• Use this tip: Take a more personal approach. If they’re near you, pop by. Otherwise, a simple call would go a long way, allowing you to reconnect, stay at the top of their mind, and possibly increase your open house’s attendance.

4. Work with other agents in your area.

• Cost: Free to $500, depending on what help you need
  
  Real estate agents should see fellow agents as teammates, not competitors. You can team up with nearby agents for a joint open house day, promoting the event together and attracting more visitors, especially if the listings are similar. You can also work with other listing agents and hold their open houses for them or even request help from a junior agent to manage your attendees and make your open house a bit smoother on the event day.
• Use these tips when working with other agents:
  • When advertising group open house days, a little creativity can go a long way. Hold a raffle that people can only enter if they visit every home on the list — or even try a scavenger hunt for the kids.
  • To make hosting an open house for a listing agent a benefit to them, agree to pay them a referral fee for any client you pick up from the open house. Note that referral fees can vary by location and are entirely negotiable among the agents involved.
  • Working with junior agents will help you keep things running smoothly and ensure that attendees don’t feel neglected. Find $50 or so to have someone cover the door for an hour or two — you won’t regret it.

5. Prepare an open house script & practice delivering it.

• Cost: Free
  
  Even if you’re a pro at chatting with everyone at an open house, using real estate scripts will still steer your conversations toward getting contact details. So unless you’re hosting open houses just to make new pals and discuss gardening, practicing scripts will help you gather more leads. It’s as simple as that.
• Use this tip: If you want some persuasive scripts to get you started, check out our best open house scripts. Oh, and don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone you rehearsed them!

Spruce up your marketing & branding

Marketing and branding play a huge role in throwing a killer open house. From setting up a simple yard sign to creating eye-catching promo materials, your marketing game can seriously impact the number of people who show up and the success of your open house.

6. Use an open house yard sign.

• Cost: $50 to $200
  
  It might be predictable, but very few things can market your event as easily as having huge open house signs. Not only does a yard sign clearly show your attendees who may be new to the area exactly which house is the one you’re showing, but it also encourages walk-ins. Ensure that your sign is designed well, with clear typography and personal branding.
• Use this tip: Before posting your yard signs, check local regulations and HOA rules — you don’t want to get fined unknowingly and ruin the vibe of your open house.

7. Invest in high-quality open house marketing materials.

• Cost: $40 to $150
  
  Investing in high-quality open house marketing materials is crucial for creating a positive and professional impression on potential buyers. Well-designed materials like flyers, brochures, and signage showcase the property effectively and reflect positively on the hosting agent or agency. High-quality materials convey attention to detail, help build trust, and leave a lasting impression for increased engagement and potential leads.

• Use this tip: Use the help of a real estate marketing company with branding elements. Coffee and Contracts, for instance, offers thousands of social media templates designed specifically for agents. These include templates for Instagram Reels, carousels, and Broke Agent memes. As a subscriber, you’ll access fresh content and new options every month. For more information, read our Coffee and Contracts review.

8. Hire a photographer to take pictures

• Cost: From $50 an hour
  
  If you want your fellow real estate agents to like you, think about hiring a photographer to snap some pictures of them in action at your open house. Agents always love having more pics of themselves for social media, and these images can also come in handy for your next listing presentation.

• Use this tip: Hiring a professional photographer is a good idea, as these pros can deliver great results without you figuring it out yourself. You may also consider hiring a drone photographer; it’s fun and results in great photos you can share. It can also help potential clients see exactly what’s in the area at a glance. However, if a professional is too costly, you can try doing it on your own — check out our real estate photography tips for better results.

9. Create a branded infographic with neighborhood info.

• Cost: Free neighborhood overviews, $30 per detailed report
  
  Creating branded real estate infographics with all the neighborhood info gives potential buyers what they need to know about it. You can show off the local amenities, schools, and parks; you can even throw in some fun facts about the neighborhood. Plus, it adds credibility to market trends, property values, and community demographics.
• Use this tip: Grab a neighborhood profile for free, take four or five of the most interesting stats, and whip up an infographic in Canva. It’s easier than you think, and your preparation will impress your clients.

Enhance your open house with technology

Incorporating technology can take your open house to the next level, providing an engaging experience for agents and potential buyers. From virtual tours and interactive floor plans to smart home devices, using tech can really wow visitors and showcase properties in exciting and modern ways.

10. Livestream an open house tour and share it on social media.

• Cost: Free
  
  Livestreaming an open house tour allows potential buyers to see the property in real time, ask questions, and get a sense of the space. Sharing livestreams on social media, particularly Instagram and TikTok, can help reach a younger audience and make the property more visible on different platforms. This multi-platform approach can create more interest in the property and potentially lead to a quicker sale.
• Here are some livestream open house tips:
  • Create and boost a social media post to advertise and boost your virtual open house.
  • Send out an email or text blast announcing your virtual open house. Don’t forget to contact other agents in your office or farm area. Even if they’re too busy to attend in person, it might be the perfect home for one of their buyers.
  • Use short snippets of the video to market yourself on social media. Record your live stream and cut it into quick-hit videos for Instagram real estate Reels or Stories and TikTok. You can use them as “day in the life” videos or show how your property marketing can fill a room with people!

11. Create a VR experience.

• Cost: $25 to $450
  
  Virtual reality (VR) is still super cutting-edge but catching on quickly. That’s why adding it to your open house toolkit can show everyone that you’re a tech-savvy agent. Give visitors a virtual tour of the property or a 3D mockup of potential renovations to help them see the space in a new way.
• Use this tip: Snag a decent VR headset and preload it with interactive tours. Play around with it to ensure your visitors don’t run into issues.

12. Virtually stage a room & allow attendees to play around with it.

• Cost: $7 to $50, depending on approach
  
  Virtual staging for open houses helps potential buyers envision the potential of a space by virtually furnishing and decorating it, making it more appealing. It also allows showcasing different design options and layouts to influence buyer decisions and presents the property in its best light, ultimately attracting more potential buyers.
  
  To make it even more fun and interactive, bring some devices on the day of the open house with the virtual staging applications preloaded. That way, attendees can play with the staging themselves and see how the home can look exactly the way they want it to.

• Use this tip: Offer to email or, better yet, text them the pictures of the staging they created. Check out our guide to the best virtual staging software if you need some options.

13. Use QR codes creatively.

• Cost: From $50 an hour
  
  QR codes have become popular, but many agents still don’t know how to use them to get leads at their open houses. Here are easy ways to use QR codes at your next open house to get more leads:
  • Set up an iPad sign-in station using a QR code creator at the front door — or, better yet, on your refreshments table.
  • Create a free QR code (using a site like QR Code Generator). Print it onto your welcome sign and ensure the QR code links to your open house sign-in sheets.
  • Create QR codes that link to slideshows of each room, virtually staged in different themes. Print out the codes on signs and post them in each room with a copy such as, “See this room staged as a home office!”

• Use this tip: For a budget option, you can use Curb Hero — one of our top-recommended open house apps. It is 100% free for agents and lets you create QR codes for touchless sign-in, postcards, signs, or anything else.

14. Showcase smart and sustainable home features.

• Cost: $50 to $500
  
  While sustainable and smart home features aren’t new, potential home buyers are bound to have many questions about how they work and what it would mean to own one. Simple brochures can go the distance here, but a walkthrough of these features and showcasing the cost-effectiveness and environmental impact would really put this into perspective for your attendees.
• Use this tip: If you have the budget, consider partnering with local green energy experts or companies to co-host the event. They can provide objective insights or even discounts for attendees, further adding value to their attendance at your open house.

Prioritize engagement & networking

Engagement and networking at an open house are crucial for building connections and generating leads. From interacting with visitors to facilitating meaningful conversations, effective engagement and networking strategies can significantly impact the success of your open house event.

15. Boost your open house on hyperlocal social networks.

• Cost: Free
  
  Advertising your open house on Facebook and Instagram can work well. However, at the end of the day, you’re still paying to reach people who could be hundreds of miles away, so it’s great for brand awareness but lousy for actually getting people through the door. By posting on local Facebook Groups and Nextdoor, you will reach fewer people — but those people almost certainly live in the neighborhood.

• Use this tip: Nextdoor and Facebook Groups have some of the most engaged local audiences online. If you offer trendy food and music or use the other tips above, you might get neighbors talking about your open house for free. For your posts to get more traction, check out our real estate social media marketing tips.

16. Partner with a local brand or shop.

• Cost: Free to $500
  
  Experiential real estate marketing is about creating an awesome experience for local influencers to talk about, which helps draw them in. But to keep them interested, you need something more than just a cool backyard.
  
  Partnering with a local company or brand — like a boutique, restaurant, mixology bar, music school, or art gallery — can excite your open houses and get people chatting. Plus, the brands you team up with might even promote your event on their social media, reaching a whole new audience for your business.
• Use this tip: Find businesses that align with your target market, define clear objectives, create an engaging experience, cross-promote the event, and show appreciation afterward. This can help you build successful partnerships and enhance your open house events.

17. Set up a financial consultation area.

• Cost: Free
  
  Buyers have questions about mortgages, down payments, and how much they can afford, especially with the current rates. To address these concerns and provide a whole new level of service for clients, have a lender tag along to your next open house. They can keep you company and provide visitors with advice. It’s a win-win for both of you since creating that financial relationship can be the first step for buyers.
• Use this tip: Set up the area with comfortable chairs and a desk. Try to keep it separate from the main space for privacy. You can even offer some financial FAQs for buyers to grab and read later.

Don’t forget the hospitality & amenities

When it comes to open house hospitality, it’s all about making guests feel at home. Offering snacks, cozy seating, and helpful info can really make people feel welcome. By creating a chill and friendly vibe, hosts can leave a great impression on potential clients.

18. Serve trendy food & drinks that spark conversation.

• Cost: $1 to $5 per serving
  
  An open house idea that’s more a classic staple than anything — don’t forget to offer food and drinks. There’s nothing quite like the cozy, welcoming vibe of fresh-baked cookies greeting your guests at the door. But if you want to get folks chatting, serve unique and easy-to-eat dishes that will spark conversations, even on the go. When the conversation starts to flow, so do the connections.
• Use this tip: Try serving kiwi mojito mocktails or baked treats that always have a line at the local bakery on Sunday mornings. This will give your guests a great reason to chat and mingle. Remember, the goal isn’t to show off your cooking or mixology skills but to make it easy for everyone to break the ice and start conversations. Check The Close’s guide on open house food ideas if you’re struggling to think of what to whip up.

19. Offer water bottles branded with your business card.

• Cost: From 45 cents each, in bulk
  
  Everyone could use a bottle of water, especially when walking around — and that’s no different a case when it comes to walking through your open house. To ensure you get your business card to your attendees, use water bottle giveaways by attaching your business card to the tag!

• Use this tip: Grab different colors to match your brand or the season. These are perfect to offer your guests as a to-go item on a hot day.

20. Have a childcare corner.

• Cost: Free to $200
  
  Parents can sometimes find it challenging to focus on their open house while trying to keep an eye on their kids. Set up a play area with toys, coloring books, and kid-friendly shows, making their visit to your open house more relaxed and enjoyable, even if only for a few minutes.
• Use this tip: Consider hiring a babysitter for young families and putting up a sign for the kids’ corner. To make it even more memorable for both parents and children, give the kids a small goodie bag with your branding, adding in some coloring materials, healthy snacks, and a cute little squish toy to entertain them.

21. Give out small branded gifts as party favors.

• Cost: $2 to $5 per branded gift
  
  Branded items are perfect for open houses. Your open house guests probably don’t know you from Adam, so a small gift with your brand on it helps keep you at the top of their minds, especially when they like the item you gave. While it might not pay off immediately, the simple name recall when using your items is enough to grow your client base.

• Use this tip: Give small branded gifts to your open house visitors that they will actually keep and use. Consider useful items like dishtowels, potholders, compact mirrors, or change purses.

Go the extra mile

Putting in the extra effort at your open house can really make a difference. When hosting, finding unique ways to impress potential buyers and leave a lasting impression is key. From organizing charity activities to partnering with local artists, these thoughtful touches can set your open house apart and help you generate valuable leads.

22. Raise money for charity at your open house.

• Cost: Free
  
  Being a leader in your community is part of the job of a real estate agent. It’s not just about selling houses; it’s also about positively impacting the community. Think about it this way: If you were selling your own home, wouldn’t you prefer working with an agent known for giving back to the community?
• Use this tip: There are several approaches to this. You can organize a charity raffle or silent auction during the open house. You could also pledge to donate a part of your commission from any sales made during the event to a chosen charity. Another idea is to set up a donation booth or pledge drive so that visitors can contribute directly to the charity. Just be transparent about which charitable foundation the proceeds go to.

23. Showcase local art and artists as part of staging.

• Cost: Free
  
  Local artists are always on the lookout for opportunities to display their work. By featuring their pieces at your open house, you’ll get some cool staging and visual charm for free while building a sense of community. It’s also a great way to spark conversations!
• Use this tip: Contact some local artists and offer to display their work. Ensure you’ve got a specific area for the art and cards for the artist so your visitors can learn more about the pieces as well.

24. Host contests & giveaways.

• Cost: Free to $50
  
  Hosting a giveaway can increase your attendance immediately. People love free stuff! It adds a fun twist to your open house, even if it’s just a simple raffle or a more elaborate contest, like a scavenger hunt.
  
  Besides engaging your attendees, it’s an easy and creative way to grab visitor’s contact info. Be transparent and say that you’ll be sending the prize via email — it’ll give you a chance to snag participants’ contact details without overtly pushing them into it.
• Use this tip: Keep the contest relevant to the property or neighborhood. For instance, make the prize a gift card to a local restaurant. Or, you could do something interactive, like asking guests to find the three small red stickers you’ve placed around the house for a prize.

Make time for the post-open house tasks

After a great open house, it’s time to keep the ball rolling with some post-event activities. These help nurture relationships with potential clients and increase the chances of turning leads into successful sales.

25. Follow up with all guests.

• Cost: From $300 per month
  
  Like all lead generation strategies, the follow-up is crucial. The only problem is determining whom you must follow up with and how often. This is where predictive analytics comes in — using such platforms will help you determine exactly who to reach out to.

• Use this tip: Use a tried-and-tested platform, like Smartzip. It uses AI and a billion data points to tell who is likely to move before they even think about an agent. The provider says its AI is so accurate that it has an accuracy of 70% when predicting future listings. Learn more about it in our review of Smartzip.

26. Use follow-up email templates to engage new leads.

• Cost: Free
  
  While getting emails and phone numbers at your open house is great, you might as well not bother if you can’t keep them engaged until they’re ready to transact. While some CRMs offer done-for-you drip campaigns to add to, that first email you send is vital to establishing a lasting relationship with potential clients. To ensure it hits home, use one of our open house follow-up email templates.
• Use this tip: Writing great subject lines is crucial — after all, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Here are five clever email subject lines you can use to increase the odds of getting your email read:
  1. Your Private Invite: Get the Best Listings BEFORE They Hit the Market!
  2. Coffee This Week? (on me)
  3. I Have to Ask…
  4. Did You Hate It…?
  5. If You Liked {your open house address}, You’ll LOVE These!

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How to make an open house stand out?

What draws people to an open house?

How do I get more people to an open house?

How do I style my home for an open house?

Bringing it all together

Open houses don’t have to be boring — some creativity can go a long way not just to engage potential leads but also to make it a bit more interesting for you. By using the tips in this article, you can create a welcoming atmosphere that attracts potential buyers and heightens engagement. Do you have some open house ideas that are working for you? Drop it in the comments below to help other agents out!

The post 26 Open House Ideas That Will Actually Get You Leads appeared first on The Close.

To follow along with the steps involved with completing a CMA, you can use our free CMA worksheet template and fill in each section as you move through this guide.

Step 1: Gather data on your subject property

Completing a CMA involves thorough data analytics to get a good understanding of the property you’re evaluating. This includes gathering data like when the property was built, its gross living area, and how many bedrooms and bathrooms it has. If you’re a listing agent, this is a crucial step because being knowledgeable about the home’s characteristics is a key in having an effective marketing plan for the property.

I recommend using public records in researching the property, as these likely have the most accurate and updated information. Many MLSs have the ability to retrieve this data from public records for you, like Corelogic’s Realist or Propertyradar. Once you’ve gathered this data, I also strongly recommend an in-person visit to the property to see if there are any notable discrepancies.

Below is a list of items you should consider when preparing your CMA:

1. Property location

2. Year built

3. Property type

4. Property design, style, and use

5. Square footage

6. Room count

7. Amenities & special features

8. Car storage

9. Utilities and appliances

10. View

11. Property rights and zoning

12. Amount of homeowner’s associated (HOA) dues and property taxes

13. Neighborhood trends

14. Property condition, age, & other adverse items

Step 2: Research the market & choose comparable properties

Once you’ve gathered data on your subject property, the next step is to find similar homes as your comparables to support your home’s value. You can use the free CMA worksheet template linked above to follow the steps outlined below, where I go over how you can start the process of finding good comps, as well as key features to take note of.

Finding good comps

It might be tempting to try and find comps based on specific characteristics, like whether a home has a pool, or how many bedrooms and bathrooms it has. However, I recommend starting at a high level by narrowing down your geographic area and specific neighborhoods. Location is a key factor for buyers, and is arguably one of the most important items when it comes to selecting a home. 

Various resources, such as your MLS, offer map drawing tools and filters to allow you to begin this step of finding your comps. 

• Distance: The closer a property is to yours, the more likely it is to appeal to the same type of buyer looking to purchase a home in that area. A good rule of thumb for well-populated areas is to limit comps to a 1 mile radius. Rural areas will obviously require a larger radius, which can vary from market to market. 
• Location to amenities: Good comps should have a similar distance to amenities, such as shopping centers, entertainment areas, and places of employment. 
• Neighborhood boundaries: Depending on the market, there may be physical markers that identify separate neighborhoods. Freeways and major busy roads are common examples, as properties located past these boundaries don’t generally make for good comps due to differences in architectural design and lot size. 

Key features to analyze

Once you’ve narrowed down the area for your comps, you can start to focus on specific features and characteristics. Using our free CMA worksheet template or the list of features we listed above in step 1, you’ll want to find properties as similar as possible to your subject property. 

You’ll also want to consider the following in selecting your comps:

• Date of sale: Markets can change rather quickly, so choosing comps that have recently sold can provide a better indication of your subject property’s home versus a more dated comp. A rule of thumb is to choose homes that have sold no more than 6 months ago. 
• Sales or financing concessions: To get a good apples to apples comparison, it can be a good idea to figure out if there were any seller concessions provided as part of a sale. For instance, a property could have sold for more than normal if the seller agreed to pay for some of the buyer’s loan closing costs. Similarly, a home in need of repairs but was sold as-is could explain a lower-than-expected sales price. 

Step 3: Evaluate the comps & adjust for differences

Once you’ve selected your comps, the next step will be to adjust for any differences in features between your subject property and the comps. This will be something you should expect to do for most of your comps, since it’s rare to find two identical properties. 

For example, in the image below, we can see that our comp property has 1 extra bedroom and is larger by almost 800 square feet. We’ve estimated that the extra bedroom is worth $7,000 in value, with the additional square footage being worth $3,000 in value. In order to see what our subject property is worth based on these differences, we need to adjust the comp property to be as similar as possible. 

This can be done by removing the value of the comp’s extra bedroom and square footage. We take the sales price of the comp, and subtract the corresponding values of $7,000 and $3,000. By subtracting these figures, we can see what the comp would have sold for assuming it did not have the extra bedroom and square footage, and subsequently, the market value of our subject property. The same adjustments can be made across the board for all of a property’s features such as its view, location, age, condition, and other items we’ve mentioned previously.

Determining the amount of adjustments

So how would you know what the appropriate adjustment amount is? For instance, how would you know whether a buyer values an extra bedroom at $5,000 or $10,000? I’ll be the first to say that you should let the data drive the math. You’ll need to look at other comparables where the primary difference is the bedroom count, and use that difference in sales price to determine the dollar amount to attach to the value of a single bedroom. 

Market trend analysis and value range

Your CMA report can include a range for how much a property is worth. This range can help capture differences in how buyers might value certain items differently. It can also help you account for future changes in the local market that could impact the value of the home. 

For example, construction for a nearby grocery store could help increase the future value of a home, while a city construction project for storm sewers could negatively impact the short-term value due to the anticipated increase in noise.

Step 4: Prepare your CMA report

Now that you’ve got all of the data for your CMA, you’ll need to put it into a format that will be easy to understand and visually appealing. This is a great marketing opportunity for you to really stand apart from other real estate agents, and it’s a chance for you to show your knowledge and expertise in this market. 

In addition to the items listed below, you can include elements from our CMA worksheet as well as our guide for listing presentations. 

• Your bio and how to contact you
• Highlights of the subject property (e.g. features, bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.)
• Top comparable homes
• Highlights of homes that recently sold (you can also include homes currently under contract)
• Neighborhood profile
• Market statistics (average days on market, price per square foot)
• Marketing plan
• Testimonials from your previous clients

CMA templates

For some help in making your CMA report visually pop and be easy on the eyes, you can use software like Cloud CMA or use templates on Canva and Etsy. If you’re looking for some inspiration, below are some examples of aesthetically pleasing CMAs. If you’re using a CMA as part of your prospecting strategy, feel free to also take a look at our prospecting letter templates.

By Socialbinder

By PetitelenaCreative

By CreateDigitalCo

CMA frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is it a problem if my CMA is different from another agent?

What is the purpose of a CMA?

How many comps should I use in my CMA?

What’s the difference between a CMA and an appraisal?

What’s the most important factor to consider in my CMA?

Bringing it all together

As a listing agent, a properly researched CMA can help ensure you price a property just right to attract the most buyers and get the highest sales price. As a buyer’s agent, you can ensure your clients place competitive offers to maximize the odds of getting accepted by the seller. While it may be a time-consuming process, conducting the proper due diligence in preparing a CMA can allow you to have a large payoff at the end of the day. 

Have any tips or specific questions? Leave them in the comment section below!

The post How to Do a Comparative Market Analysis: A Step-by-Step Guide appeared first on The Close.

In this article, I tackle the five elements of great listing descriptions, six tips for writing better property descriptions, and creative real estate listing examples for inspiration. Let’s get started!

5 elements of great listing descriptions

Crafting real estate listing descriptions isn’t rocket science, but it takes more than just listing the property’s key features. So, what comprises a description that captures the reader’s attention? Let’s break it down.

1. A catchy opening line

The most creative real estate listing description examples kick off with a one-sentence-or-less, punchy title. Writing a catchy “brand” for your listing will draw people in and help them see it as a home and not just another set of pictures on the internet.

2. The property’s selling points

After your title, the next section of your listing description should be a two- or three-sentence pitch of the home’s best features. This should be a narrative description, not just a list of features or, God forbid — a bulleted list! Homebuyers aren’t shopping for groceries; they don’t need a checklist of your listing’s features.

3. Location and neighborhood appeal

Pitch the benefits of the home’s location and neighborhood. If these elements aren’t outstanding, try to find a silver lining. For example, if the house is on a noisy street with many bars open late, talk about the nightlife access. If it’s in a not-so-great neighborhood, but on a pretty block or near a new development area, mention those perks instead.

4. All caveats worth mentioning

While I never suggest agents write a “warts and all” listing description, you should still alert potential buyers to any vital information. A house hunter might forgive you for not mentioning the noisy street or less-than-perfect driveway. Still, they likely won’t forgive you if you leave out a dealbreaker — like the property’s leaky roof. Being upfront about these key details helps you avoid surprises later.

5. A compelling Call to Action (CTA)

The best home listing description examples have CTAs.  These CTA’s encourage buyers to contact you, schedule a showing, or attend your soon-to-be-announced open house. For instance, something as simple as “This rare gem won’t last long—call now for a private tour!” can entice buyers and encourage them to take that next step.

Writing the best listing description: Tips from a professional writer

Besides your cleverly placed real estate ads and high-quality listing photos, your listing description is key to attracting buyers. Consider these tips, along with some creative real estate listing description examples to inspire you:

Step 1: Write for the buyers you want to attract

Begin with a headline that’ll hook buyers. To sell a luxury home, you must speak directly to high-end buyers using real estate words that evoke exclusivity. If you’re targeting first-time homebuyers, focus on the neighborhood and lifestyle benefits that owning the property would offer.

Here are two creative real estate listing descriptions examples that target the right audience:

“Conveniently located minutes from the prestigious Beverly Hills Hotel and just 20 minutes from Van Nuys private airport, this estate is accessible only through private, gated streets. Discover a life of unparalleled luxury and serenity at the Crestview Manor, where timeless elegance and modern convenience blend seamlessly in the heart of Beverly Hills.” (Source: 2571 Wallingford Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 on Zillow)

“Located in a gated community with 24/7 security, you’ll enjoy peace of mind while living in this well-maintained environment. The monthly HOA fee of 1,690 covers property taxes, security, and maintenance of the common areas, making for worry-free living. The owner is responsible for gas, electric, and water.” (Source: 361-K Skyline Dr, Staten Island, NY 10304 on Zillow)

Step 2: Showcase how it feels to live in that property

One of the first rules of copywriting? Sell the benefits and experience. Every famous copywriter, from David Ogilvy to Joseph Sugarman, agrees. Instead of telling your audience the listing has a big backyard, tell them how much fun they could have playing touch football with their family in the yard or the privacy it offers. Remember, your goal is to create a hook that makes potential buyers feel like they’re already stepping inside the property.

Check out this example of an inviting property listing description:

“Spend your days in one of the three living rooms, playing games, or watching films in the theater room. The 2.5-acre saltwater lagoon is an inviting escape, complete with paddle boards and kayaks for added fun. Located near stunning national parks, Paradise Shores allows you to explore and unwind in beautiful St. George while creating lasting memories with family and friends.” (Source: 5367 S Cyan Ln, Saint George, UT 84790 on Realtor.com)

Step 3: Keep it concise

Despite our hard work and clever content flourishes, the sad reality is that most people skim content online these days. Very few will take the time to read every word you write, even for a relatively short property description. So make sure to hit the key selling points of your listing early on and avoid overly lengthy, wordy descriptions.

Here’s an excellent home description example:

“Step into an open space defined by redwood, concrete, glass, and a sculptural butterfly roof framing sweeping mountain views. A brick fireplace acts as the focal point in the living, while a minimalist Poliform kitchen furnished with Gaggenau appliances and updated details throughout further enhances the experience.” (Source: 7316 Caverna Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068 on Zillow)

Step 4: Use storytelling that’s honest and relatable

Never oversell or exaggerate. Trust me; buyers hate it when they show up to your house tour expecting a dream home only to find something completely different. 

Instead of stretching the truth, highlight the property’s best features authentically. If some parts of the house still need rework or an update, position it as an opportunity. You can say, “Bring your vision to life in this space,” or “There’s endless potential to customize this room.”

Take a look at these real estate description examples that are authentic and engaging without exaggeration:

“Whether you want to grow your own vegetables or create a peaceful outdoor retreat, this large lot gives you the flexibility to do it all. With charming curb appeal and an unbeatable location close to everything Tennyson Street has to offer, this bungalow is the perfect place to enjoy the best of Denver living.” (Source: 3930 Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, CO 80212 on Zillow)

“Now is the time to relax and enjoy sun bathing, swimming, and boating at your very own lake house! There is a septic tank on the property and public water is currently used for the home (there’s a well that could be used for gardening). Seller will pay to repair driveway but is selling the home as-is.” (Source: 1010 Flymm Smith Rd, Waterloo, SC 29384 on Zillow)

Step 5: Optimize for mobile without losing personality

Nowadays, most buyers scroll through listings on their phones. Big blocks of text are a big no-no, so listing descriptions must be easy to read. Break paragraphs, keep sentences short, and maintain natural flow throughout so it’s easy to skim.

Ensure your listing descriptions are easy to read on mobile (Source: Zillow)

Step 6: Proofread, proofread, proofread

One of the trickiest parts of writing anything is getting out of your head. It’s too easy to fall in love with your writing or miss your errors. Typos, incorrect grammar, and awkward phrasing can make the most luxurious listing look unprofessional — and you will lose the immediate trust of the buyer. 

Once you’ve written your listing description, read it aloud to identify areas that need improvement. Also, having a second set of eyes go over the listing can help ensure that your final version is polished and error-free.

Why listing descriptions are essential

A compelling real estate listing description is a strategic tool for turning a basic listing into a must-see property. It turns a buyer’s interest into action. Here’s why your property listing descriptions matter:

• Clever listing descriptions add depth to the property’s photos. While professional-looking photos grab attention, strong wording helps buyers visualize themselves living there. Using the right words and phrases offers details to a property that photos can’t fully capture.
• Listing descriptions can drive a sense of urgency. Your description should have a call to action that makes the buyers feel they need to act fast. By including phrases like “highly coveted” or “ultra rare property,” you’re urging buyers to move quickly before someone else snatches it up.
• Creative listing descriptions highlight hidden selling points. Some of the home’s key features — like energy-efficient windows and doors, eco-friendly paints, and green roofs — aren’t obvious in photos. A well-written description brings these details to light.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How do I make my real estate listing stand out?

How do you write a luxury home description?

What is an example of a lot and block description?

Bringing it all together

I hope you’ve picked something up from these real estate description examples. Remember, the best examples of home descriptions are always honest and straightforward and vividly describe a potential homeowner’s lifestyle after purchasing the property.

Got any questions about realtor property descriptions? Do you have any tricks you’d like to share with fellow agents? Let me know in the comments!

The post How to Write Creative Real Estate Listing Descriptions (+ Examples) appeared first on The Close.

Need prompt inspo to use for real estate in ChapGPT? You’re in luck! We’ve compiled a list of 117 prompts you can use to get the ball rolling. 

Bonus: Download 117 ChatGPT Prompts

What Is ChatGPT?

Ok, let’s get technical: ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot developed by OpenAI. It’s based on the Generative Pretrained Transformer (GPT) language model and is considered a Natural Language Processing (NLP) tool, which is a branch of AI. This means it can understand and chat with us in everyday language. One of the best things about ChatGPT is how quickly it responds and gets things done. It’s like having a knowledgeable personal assistant who knows all about real estate right at your fingertips.

How to Use ChatGPT for Real Estate

ChatGPT works best when it gets to know who you are. When you create a free account at OpenAI.com, it’s helpful to begin your first session by writing a prompt to introduce yourself. The more details you provide about your personality, style, and target audience, the better it can assist you with tasks. ChatGPT will deliver responses that align with your persona and tone. When you request something for your business—whether it’s an email, social media post, or text message—it will sound more authentically like you.

There are so many ways ChatGPT for realtors can help you in your business and give back time you thought you’d never see again. Here are some ways to get started.

1. Property Descriptions

Property descriptions are an important part of marketing a listing. Aside from the pictures, it is the first way to capture the attention of potential buyers. If this has never really been your “thing” to write descriptions, it’s the perfect task to assign to your new AI assistant. Try copying the prompt below and putting your own spin on it to see what ChatGPT for real estate comes up with for listing descriptions!

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Prompt: Hey Chat! Can you craft a property listing description for {#}bedroom/{#}bathroom home in {city or community}, focusing on the unique features, proximity to shopping, attractions, and nearby schools?

2. Client Follow-up & Communication 

Building authentic relationships is key in real estate, and that takes consistent communication. Staying in touch with clients and potential clients should come naturally, but there are ways to streamline your outreach. Ask Chat to draft several emails and text messages that you can have on-the-ready in your customer relationship manager (CRM) for when you need them. Then, just copy and paste.

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Prompt: Hey Chat! Can you write a text message to my seller clients to let them know things are still moving forward with the contract? There’s nothing they need to do but be patient. Make it sound a little fun and conversational but still professional. Please include emojis.

Pro Tip: Create an entire series of nurturing text messages for all of your prospects, clients, past clients, and even your sphere of influence. Just tell ChatGPT what the text messages are for and ask for a certain number of texts to save and use when needed.

3. Community Insights 

Providing value to your clients and the community you work in will help you stand out as a go-to resource when people are looking to buy or sell in the area. Utilize the chat to compile a list of the best restaurants, attractions, or large companies for your community. Use those to build a community guide, newsletters, or postcards.

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Prompt: Hey Chat! Can you compile a list of all the best places to eat out or enjoy happy hour in Winter Haven, Florida?

Pro Tip: Use ChatGPT for real estate agents’ farming efforts. Ask for community insights for the area you’re farming, and then use the results in an infographic, newsletter, or social media campaign. Just share the area in the chat, and it will dig up info for you.

4. Social Media & Content Creation 

Creating content can be time-consuming and often gets pushed aside as immediate client needs take priority. However, it’s a necessary evil in today’s world of real estate marketing. Using AI to batch out a content calendar can really help boost your online presence and save you a ton of time. Whip up blog posts, social media updates, and even video scripts while choosing how long you want the videos to be.

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Prompt: Hey Chat! I would like to create {#} social media posts on seller tips. Please include emojis! Also, make them playful and conversational.

Pro Tip: Always double-check your projects before posting them. While chat is helpful, it isn’t flawless. You might find mistakes, some phrases could sound overly formal, or there might even be potential violations of fair housing laws. So, always proofread before you publish.

5. Email Drip Campaigns & Newsletters

ChatGPT for real estate helps you create engaging drip marketing campaigns and newsletters tailored to your target audience. You can even schedule to send them out at different times. If you’re already using a CRM, you might have some templates. But if you’re looking to try something fresh or don’t have any templates, ChatGPT can step in. Just share what you want to include, like market stats or updates on new listings, and let the AI take care of the rest.

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Prompt: Hey Chat! Draft a series of emails to go out to Zillow leads looking to move to my area. My leads tend to be {typical lead demographics} unfamiliar with my area. I would like a series of {#} emails to send out immediately after the lead comes into my CRM. Make the tone fun, conversational, playful, a little snarky, but professional. Please give me some idea as to when to send out each email, as well.

6. Lead Magnets 

Many real estate pros use lead magnets to fill their CRMs with potential clients’ contact info, but coming up with great ones can be tough. That’s where ChatGPT comes in. It can help brainstorm some lead magnet ideas and even draft something up for you. Once you have that info, create an eye-catching PDF download using Canva Pro or Adobe Photoshop. It’s a fun way to engage your audience and attract the right clients.

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Prompt: Hey Chat! Create a checklist as a lead magnet for my target audience, military movers.

Writing a ChatGPT Prompt

The best thing about ChatGPT prompts is that you can write them as if you’re talking to your personal assistant and asking for a favor. If the response you receive doesn’t resonate with you, specify the changes you’d like to make or ask ChatGPT to regenerate the response, and you will get a new one. All of the responses are saved in your account, so you can use, adjust, or revisit them as needed.

The best way to learn is to start using ChatGPT. Here are a few prompts to get you started:

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• Hey Chat! Can you write an email drip campaign of six emails to send to my past clients over six months about selling their homes, what’s in it for them, why they might want to sell, and what that might mean for them?
• Hey Chat! Can you write 20 social media posts about how to start your day for success? Use emojis and make the tone friendly and conversational.
• Hey Chat! Can you help me write five blog posts about the homebuying experience? Make them educational but light and fun.
• Hey Chat! Please write five one-minute scripts for videos about the pitfalls of the home-buying process and center them on things you should not do while buying a house. Make them funny.

Alternatives to ChatGPT

Even with all the amazing things ChatGPT can do, it’s not perfect. As AI continues to integrate into our lives, more options become available. So, if you’re not getting the answers you want from ChatGPT, check out some alternatives.

Product/Software/Platform	Why It’s a Great Alternative	Learn More
	Researches active and sold comps and creates detailed, comprehensive market analysis (CMA) reports with the click of a button.	Visit saleswise
	Helps streamline your listing process, create effective ad copy, and increase your listing response rate.	Visit listingcopy.ai
	Predicts likely sellers, updates missing contact info, and even triggers automated notifications so you never miss an opportunity again.	Visit Likely.ai

Best Practices for Effectively Using ChatGPT in Real Estate

Following the listed best practices below, you’ll maximize the effectiveness of ChatGPT in your real estate initiatives while mitigating potential risks associated with relying solely on AI-generated information.

• Provide clear & specific prompts: Ask concise questions or provide instructions that are easy to understand.
• Iterative refinement: If the first response differs from what you want, provide feedback or more details.
• Fact-check information: It’s important to double-check the information, particularly regarding specific property information, legal issues, or financial data.
• Incorporate local knowledge: This helps contextualize the data generated by ChatGPT and ensures that it aligns with the specific nuances of the local market.
• Use as a supplementary tool: This should be used as an addition to human knowledge rather than a substitute, as it might not adequately represent the legal, financial, and emotional factors frequently present in real estate transactions.

Future of AI in Real Estate

Think about it: Twenty years ago, an online presence, posting on social media, making YouTube videos, and writing blogs weren’t really a big thing in real estate. Today, these are commonplace and can take up a ton of time, so a lot of people end up needing to hire help to keep up. Tools like ChatGPT are becoming a part of our everyday lives, making these tasks easier and giving us back some precious time and freedom. 

The invention of the internet, MLS, and lead gen tools may have taken some getting used to. Still, they ultimately serve to support our business efforts, allowing us to assist clients in buying, selling, and investing in real estate. We are likely to see consistent evolution and change in our industry. However, despite this, one thing remains the same: the authentic relationships we form with our clients. It’s important to consistently show up for your clients, past clients, and your network. Don’t sweat the thought of ChatGPT taking your job—it’s just a tool, not a person. 

FAQ

What is the best AI assistant for real estate?

What is the 80% rule in real estate?

Is ChatGPT free?

Bringing It All Together

ChatGPT can be a handy tool for the real estate industry. It helps generate content ideas, provides the latest market information, and facilitates smooth communication. However, it’s important to use it wisely. Be aware of any potential biases and stick to ethical practices. By leveraging what ChatGPT offers, you can streamline your business tasks, increase efficiency, and be more present with your clients and loved ones. Have you tried using it yet? Please share what you’ve learned so far in the comments!

The post ChatGPT for Real Estate: The Complete Guide for Agents appeared first on The Close.

Why Is a Halloween Marketing Strategy Important? 

Fall welcomes change, and that includes change within your business! Use this time to amp up your marketing strategies and fill your pipeline after the hustle and bustle of summer. People are finally settling back into their routines, gearing up for the holidays, and getting ready for the end of the year. Here are some reasons why it’s important to focus on your marketing strategy:

• Client nurturing: It’s important to stay in touch with clients throughout the year; however, involving them in holiday marketing shows you want to connect with them in non-real-estate-related ways and are not just after winning their business.
• Community involvement: Showing your business is a part of the community, not just working in it, will help strengthen your brand image.
• Pipeline preparation: Getting in front of existing and prospective clients could help position you to get a head start on some deals for the following year.
• Brand awareness: Fun campaigns and events are a way to show off your creative side while familiarizing people with what you do and where you work.

10 Fun Real Estate Halloween Marketing Ideas

Open houses are a great way to get some face time with homebuyers and showcase your marketing skills to homesellers. That’s why choosing an open house theme, whether holiday-related or offering specific food and beverage options, is a great way to stand out from the competition. Let’s take a look at some fun ideas for a Halloween open house theme. 

1. Host a Haunted Open House

Hosting open houses is a great way to attract potential buyers who will fall in love with your listing. But the trick is getting people to show up. Aside from proper planning to ensure the word gets out, planning a themed open house is a way to capture attention and spark interest. A haunted open house has the potential to get people in the door who may have opted out otherwise.

• What to do: With the seller’s permission, decorate the inside and outside of the house with Halloween decorations. Strategically place spooky stuff around the house to lead people from one room to another. If there’s something awesome about the house, consider decorating around it to make it stand out even more.

2. Organize a Pumpkin Carving Contest

A lot of people carve pumpkins around Halloween, so this is a great way to get people involved and connect with past and potential clients. If you’re feeling extra generous, in addition to hosting the contest, pre-purchase pumpkins and entice people to sign up to receive a pumpkin to carve. This will help you score some potential leads.

• What to do: Promote your pumpkin carving contest through email marketing, direct mail, and social media. Give instructions on how to submit their entry. In the instructions, ask people to tag you on social media to get even more exposure since their followers will see you tagged in the post.

3. Give Out Branded Candies or Halloween Bags

The holiday season is a great opportunity to plan pop-bys, especially if you have trouble coming up with ideas. Candy is a central theme during Halloween, so it’s extra easy to zone in on a gift. Pick up some of your favorite treats or get branded trick-or-treat bags to give to your clients.

• What to do: Choose between branded stickers to put on candy or little gift bags, or opt for custom trick-or-treat bags that kids can use as they run around the neighborhood. Either option will help to get your name in front of more people and keep you top-of-mind.

4. Sponsor or Host a Trunk-or-Treat Event

Trunk-or-treat events have become a Halloween staple. Hosting or sponsoring one of these events shows support for the community and is a fun way to bring people together to mingle and enjoy candy and costumes. Tape your business cards to the back of the candy you are handing out as a way to market yourself and your real estate services. 

• What to do: If you’re not sponsoring the event but instead organizing your own, consider partnering with a local business, church, or school. This way, you can utilize their parking lot and gain access to their network of people. Gathering your business partners, such as local lenders, attorneys, home inspectors, and title companies, will also help fill the spots and educate people about the individuals involved in a real estate transaction. 

5. Host a ‘Spooky’ Homebuyer Seminar

Homebuyer seminars are a popular and effective way of getting new business. At this time of year, get creative by incorporating Halloween-themed treats and beverages, and decorate the space a little to give it the real holiday feel. Create your event flyers by using a design platform like Canva that has holiday templates to help enhance your marketing. 

This idea works just as well for sellers if you tweak the content—but keep the Halloween marketing slogans! You can even turn this into a fireside chat about investing in a chill, marshmallow-laden conversational setting.

• What to do: Give yourself enough time to get everything ready and spread the word about the event so that people actually show up. Create a presentation that won’t spook your buyers, and prepare handouts the attendees can take with them. Put together a Halloween basket with some tricks and treats to raffle off at the end of the event.

6. Throw a Harvest Party for Past Clients

If you want to go all-out, host a harvest party for your past clients. Showing your appreciation with a fun event is a tried-and-true way to nurture your client relationships. Let’s explore some ways to bring everyone together and make the most of the season.

• Host a bonfire: Roast marshmallows, make s’mores, and tell spooky stories while you enjoy the company of your clients and their families around a fall fire pit. 
• Offer hayrides: If the venue allows, offer hayrides while attendees sip apple cider. 
• Make costumes: There’s a special kind of magic in creating a unique and original costume for Halloween. So, gather some supplies from your local craft or thrift store and let everyone get creative with their own designs.

• What to do: Curate your list of clients with enough time for them to save the date so you will have a head count. Once you know how many people to expect, ask some of your favorite vendors to sponsor the event to raise funds and provide supplies. Don’t forget to take lots of pics the day of the event and share them on social media.

7. Put Together a Costume Donation Drive

Make sure to start this option early so that you have enough time to gather donations and deliver them in time for Halloween. Talk to schools in your community to find out what specific needs students might have, and ask if they would like to partner with you for the costume drive. People will notice when you show up for others in the community, and it will start to solidify your brand image.

• What to do: Ask family and friends in your community to bring new, unworn, or lightly used costumes to your office. Offer a drawing for them to enter while they’re there. Have the drawing after Halloween and announce the winner on social media. In fact, do a live video to draw the name.

8. Hire a Food Truck for Your Neighborhood on Halloween Night

Be the good witch of the evening by hiring a food or beverage truck and providing drinks and light bites to anyone who wants them. Hot cocoa, apple cider, and coffee are easy and usually a big hit. Make sure to hand out your information to everyone who comes to the truck for a respite. You can also put a big sign in your yard announcing your treats. (No tricks here!)

• What to do: Set up the food truck in front of your house and put your open house signs on the corner of the street with a note taped to it directing people your way. Like other marketing options, consider partnering with one of your favorite vendors to split the cost. Showing that you have a team of trusted professionals by your side helps give people a little insight into how you operate your business.

9. Organize a Halloween Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are a lighthearted way to socialize. Approach this idea in one of two ways: keep it exclusive to your clients, or open it up to the community to try and generate leads. Team up with local businesses to support the community and get them involved in the fun. It’s a cool way to promote each other. If you don’t have the resources to host your own event, reach out to your local park district to see if they are planning one that you can sponsor.

• What to do: If you’re hosting your own scavenger hunt, determine what you will be hiding and the locations where you will be hiding them. Create or purchase the scavenger hunt cards so you can give them out on the day of the event. Have a meeting point before the event at a local coffee shop or your real estate office, if it’s nearby.

10. Create a Ghoulish Social Media Campaign

When planning your holiday marketing calendar, have a little ghastly fun and let your creativity guide you. Share haunted house stories or Halloween safety tips on TikTok or Instagram. You don’t have to do all the work yourself; there are pre-made Halloween real estate posts available on sites like AgentCrate. You’ll scream with delight at all the options available!

• What to do: Plan a campaign for the month of October including a mix of fun, spooky, and educational content. Schedule posts on various platforms, allowing you to take a “set it and forget it” marketing approach. Just don’t forget to engage with your audience after the posts go live.

FAQs

How do you market a Halloween event?

What is the busiest month for real estate?

What is the slowest season for real estate?

How do you increase sales at Halloween?

Bringing It All Together

These are just a few of the many Halloween realtor marketing ideas you can use this year and beyond. Halloween is a ghoulishly good time for extra marketing that incorporates mischief and mayhem.

What kind of fun Halloween marketing ideas have you tried in the past or are you planning to try this year? I would love to hear about them in the comments below.

The post Top 10 Spine-chilling Real Estate Halloween Marketing Ideas appeared first on The Close.