How to Host a Successful Virtual Open House?

The way we buy and sell properties is changing over time in the real estate industry. Among all the methods, virtual open houses are now leading. Virtual open houses can benefit you a lot as they help you expand your reach and showcase your property with ease. As a result, you will be able to reach new customers and generate more leads.

Today, we will show you how you can host a virtual open house and make it successful.

What Is a Virtual Open House?

A virtual open house is an online event where real estate agents showcase a property to potential buyers using live or pre-recorded video. This allows the potential buyers to explore the space virtually. It is a digital alternative to traditional in-person open houses, which offers convenience and accessibility for both buyers and sellers. In fact, 63% of buyers in 2020 made offers on homes they never saw in person.

This is a cost-effective live or pre-recorded interactive experience that can reach a larger audience. It also consumes less time and energy. It is a very effective real estate branding and marketing strategy as it can generate more leads through various platforms, save time and resources, and provide a more convenient way for potential buyers to view properties.

Who Should Attend a Virtual Open House?

Virtual open houses serve as a great way to reach a broader audience and provide valuable content for social media. It is beneficial for a wide range of individuals who may face geographical or time constraints with traditional in-person events. The individuals who should attend virtual open houses are described below:

Out-of-town Buyers

Virtual open houses are useful for buyers who are relocating, whether for a job or retirement. It is also beneficial for those who are interested in a property outside their immediate area. Through this process, they are able to know whether the property is suitable for them.

Busy Buyers

Potential clients with packed schedules usually prefer this system as they do not have time between their work. Also, those who prefer to avoid an in-person open house can benefit from the convenience of a virtual open house.

Buyers with Mobility Limitations

Some buyers may have physical challenges due to age or other shortcomings. Virtual open houses provide an accessible way for people with disabilities or other mobility challenges to explore properties from the comfort of their own homes.

International Buyers

Virtual open houses are mostly showcased on social media platforms and can go worldwide. Through this process, a larger audience is able to see properties. This makes virtual open houses a great option for reaching buyers from around the world.

Local Buyers

Sometimes, the local buyers decide to view properties before going to see them in person. While virtual open houses can broaden the reach of a listing, local buyers can also benefit from the convenience and ability to revisit the property virtually before making a decision.

First-time Homebuyers

Virtual open houses can be a helpful introduction to the buying process for new buyers. This helps them to learn more about properties and the market without the pressure of an in-person visit.

Sellers

Virtual open houses are not beneficial for buyers only. Sellers also benefit from virtual open houses by reaching a larger number of potential buyers and potentially speeding up the sales process.

When Should You Host a Virtual Open House?

The best time to host a virtual open house depends on your target audience and their availability. Usually, midday on weekends or early evenings on weekdays are good options. But still, there are a few factors you should consider for hosting virtual open houses. These are your target audience, their time zones, and their availability.

However, the recommended times for hosting a virtual open house are described below:

Weekends

Weekends are the best time for hosting virtual open houses, as most businessmen, buyers, or jobholders are free from work that day. Mid-morning to early afternoon is a good option for your target audience.

Weekdays

Weekdays are usually packed for more people. But you can still strategically host your virtual open house. In case you have to do it on weekdays, early evenings like 5 pm-7 pm can work well, especially for those who work typical 9-to-5 jobs.

Midday

For a wider audience, consider a midday event, like 11 AM to 12 PM, which can work well for professionals. Also, consider recording the open houses instead of just going live so that more people can catch up on your updates.

Where Should You Promote and Host Your Virtual Open House?

To promote and host your virtual open houses effectively, focus on using social media platforms, real estate platforms, and email marketing. Platforms like Zoom, Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and even pre-recorded videos are popular choices for hosting and generating more leads. Also, social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.), your website, and email campaigns are very good options for promotion.

Here’s how different platforms help you promote and host your virtual open houses:

Social Media

Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok to create engaging content and high-quality videos and photos. Run targeted ad campaigns to reach potential buyers and use relevant hashtags to increase visibility.

Email Marketing

Email marketing is also a great way to host virtual open houses. You can send out invitations and reminders to your contact list, including past clients and potential leads, whenever you have a virtual open house coming up.

Real Estate Platforms

You can use real estate platforms to advertise your virtual open house on popular real estate websites like Zillow and Realtor.com, as well as your own website. This can help you reach a larger audience who are mostly focused on real estate.

SEO

Your own website can be a great way to attract customers when they are looking for something new in real estate across the internet. Optimize your website for local searches to attract buyers in your area.

Partner with Influencers

Influencers have a great reach on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc. Collaborate with local influencers to promote your open house to their audience. This will help you find new leads.

Invite Prospective Sellers

Nothing like seeing a product or service in person to know the full details of it. This is why open houses can also be a great way to connect with potential sellers, so invite them to see your marketing in action.

Video Conferencing and Virtual Tour Platforms

Use platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, or Facebook Live to host your virtual open house. For interactive virtual tours, consider using platforms like Matterport or Homesnap. This will help you showcase your properties to specific clients attending your virtual open house.

Why Host a Virtual Open House?

Virtual open houses are beneficial for both real estate professionals and potential buyers. They offer a flexible way to showcase properties to a wider audience, including those who may not be able to attend a traditional open house due to location or busy schedules. They also improve and speed up the sales process, which can lead to a shorter time on the market. Consistency will help you get more leads and close more deals.

The reasons why hosting a virtual open house is important are described below:

Increased Reach and Accessibility

Virtual open houses can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection, regardless of their location. This allows real estate agents to reach potential buyers from different cities, states, or even countries. As a result, a larger audience can be reached.

It is also accessible for everyone regardless of their situation. Busy individuals, or those with limited mobility, clients with physical challenges, can easily participate in a virtual open house from the comfort of their homes or offices.

Efficiency and Cost Savings

Virtual open houses eliminate the need for more physical preparation, such as cleaning, staging, and providing refreshments. It also saves a lot of time and resources, as it is done quickly and there is no need for showcasing properties at different times.

Also, virtual open houses are very cost-effective. They reduce costs associated with travel, physical materials, and potential disruptions to the seller’s routine. In fact, virtual staging can reduce home staging costs by up to 97%, making it a powerful tool for both agents and sellers.

Improved Marketing and Engagement

Virtual tours and interactive elements can provide a more immersive and engaging experience for potential buyers than traditional open houses. They offer opportunities to track viewer engagement, gather contact information, and identify actual buyers, which speeds up the lead generation process.

Also, virtual tours and 3D models can be repurposed for marketing materials, social media, and other online platforms. This extends the reach of property listings.

Faster Sales Process

Virtual open houses create a faster Sales Cycle. By reaching a wider audience and providing a more engaging experience, virtual open houses can potentially shorten the time it takes to sell a property.

Virtual open houses can help buyers pre-screen properties. This initially interests the potential buyers in the property they are looking for. This helps them to focus their in-person visits on the most promising options.

How to Prepare for a Virtual Open House?

To prepare for a virtual open house, it is important to focus on both the technical and physical aspects of the property. It is necessary to choose platforms wisely, test equipment, and promote the event through interaction with attendees, answering questions, and following up afterwards.

The full process of preparing for a virtual open house is described below:

Choose Your Platform

Decide on a platform by exploring options, including using a dedicated virtual tour platform or using video conferencing tools like Zoom, Google Meet, or live streaming platforms like Facebook or Instagram Live, YouTube Live. Always look for features like screen sharing, Q&A, chat, and recording capabilities.

Prepare the Property

Just like a traditional open house, first remove any personal items, clutter, and clean the space thoroughly. Arrange furniture to highlight the layout and functionality of the space, making it visually appealing. Make sure there is good lighting. Use natural light when possible and if necessary, provide artificial lighting as well. Test your camera and lighting setup to ensure clear views of the property and test camera angles to showcase the best features to attract your buyers.

Technical Preparation

Test your internet connection to ensure a strong and reliable internet connection for a smooth virtual tour. Before the virtual tour, test your camera, microphone, and any other necessary equipment to avoid technical issues during the presentation. Rehearse and practice your tour, including talking points and camera angles, to ensure a smooth and engaging presentation.

It is a plus to think about common questions about the property and have answers ready.

Promote the Event

Announce and promote your virtual open house on social media, your website, and through email marketing. You can also send invitations with clear instructions on how to access the virtual open house. Also, choose a time that works well across different time zones.

Engage with Attendees

Start with a warm welcome by greeting attendees warmly and introducing yourself and the property. Use the platform’s features to encourage interaction, such as Q&A, chat, or polls. If there are questions on your live video, answer them promptly and engage with attendees throughout the virtual open house.

Follow Up

End the virtual open house by thanking attendees for their participation by sending follow-ups a thank-you note and providing additional information about the property. Offer resources like a virtual tour, floor plans, or more photos. Ask for feedback on the virtual open house to know how you can improve your future events.

How to Run an Engaging Virtual Open House?

To run an engaging virtual open house, focus on clear communication, interactive elements, and using the right technology to showcase the property and connect with potential buyers. Hiring a real estate virtual assistant can make the whole process easier for you as well as generate more leads because of their expertise in this sector.

Here’s how you can run a more engaging virtual open house:

Planning and Preparation

Planning is the blueprint of the future course of action. Preparing according to the plan is a must in order to make sure that your plan will work. Here’s how it’s done:

• Choose the Right Format: There are different types of formats through which you can showcase your properties. Decide between live streaming, pre-recorded videos, or interactive 3D tours, considering your audience and the property’s features.
• Prepare the Property: Make sure that the home is clean, well-lit, and staged. It should be just as you would prepare the property for an in-person open house.
• Test your Technology: Before the event, test all equipment like the camera, microphone, and internet connection to avoid technical difficulties during the live session. The technology malfunctioning during the event can leave a bad impression.
• Create Engaging and Interesting Content: Prepare a script or talking points for the tour, highlighting the property’s key features and benefits. The content you create must be attractive to your target audience.
• Promote the Event: Use social media, email marketing, and real estate listings to reach a wide audience and generate interest. Promotion is the key to making people aware of your presence in the market.
• Clear Instructions: Provide step-by-step instructions to your audience on how to access the virtual open house, what technology is needed, and how to use the platform features.
• Choose the Right Time: Consider time zones and select a time that can engage a wider range of potential buyers. In case the timing of buyers clashes, you need to look for the times when the largest number of buyers are available.

Running the Event

There are also important things to do during the virtual open house. It is important to show your audience a strong personality during this time, as looks get them interested and personally can keep them interested. Here’s how it’s done:

• Engage your Audience: Encourage interaction through live Q&A sessions, chat features, or quick polls. Keep the event interesting with regular interactions from your side and interesting questions of your own.
• Be Highly Responsive: Assign someone to monitor the chat and answer questions in real-time. Quick responses encourage your customers to know more about your product or service and make them engage more.
• Showcase the Property: Provide a clear and engaging tour, highlighting key features and addressing any questions. Make sure you don’t confuse customers, as well as not bore them.
• Be yourself: Be yourself during the tour. Pour your own personality into the tour to create a memorable and authentic experience for your audience.

What to Do After Your Virtual Open House?

After a virtual open house, it is important to follow up and nurture leads. Here’s how you can do so effectively:

Following Up with Attendees

Send personalized thank-you emails to all attendees expressing gratitude for their time and interest in your event. Include a recording of the open house and any additional information they requested. Schedule follow-up calls with attendees who showed high interest or asked detailed questions. This helps for deeper engagement and can help move them closer to making an offer. Also, offer private virtual viewings for those who are seriously interested in the property.

Nurture Leads

Segment attendees based on their level of interest and adjust your follow-up accordingly. For example, those who ask many questions may require more personalized attention. Then develop a lead-nurturing strategy and continue to provide relevant information, answer questions. This helps you build long-term relationships with potential buyers.

Tracking and Analyzing

Monitor key metrics like attendance, engagement, like questions asked, and time spent viewing the property, leads generated, and ultimately, conversions to sales. Analyze and use the collected data to identify what worked well and what could be improved in your future virtual open houses.

Promotion

Promote your virtual open house across different social media platforms. You can do this by posting the recorded video of your event on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, etc. You can also use targeted advertisements for potential buyers who may have missed your event.

FAQ

How to Convert Leads From a Virtual Open House?

To convert potential buyers into leads from a virtual open house, it is important to follow up immediately, nurture leads, engage and build relationships, and continuously improve your performance.

How Do You Follow Up and Convert Leads Afterward?

You can follow up and convert leads afterward through prompt, personalized, and value-driven communication.

What Should You Do During the Live or Pre-recorded Virtual Open House?

During a live or pre-recorded virtual open house, it is important to engage with attendees, showcase the property effectively, and be prepared to answer questions.

How Can Landlords or Agents Make It Successful (Promotion, Staging, Filming)?

To make a virtual open house successful, landlords or agents should focus on effective promotion, thoughtful staging, and high-quality filming. This involves updating listings, using social media effectively, and ensuring the virtual tour is engaging and informative.

Conclusion

An effective virtual open house is not only about showcasing a property, but also creating an engaging experience that makes buyers interested and speeds up the sales process. By using the right tools, preparing thoroughly, and engaging your audience professionally, you can make your virtual open house as effective as in-person tours. As a result, you will be able to generate more leads in your real estate business.

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