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Guide

The open home checklist for real estate agents

The difference between an open home that produces offers and one that produces a list of names is mostly preparation and follow up. Here is the checklist we would use.

5 minute read

The day before

  • Confirm the time with your vendor, and agree who will secure valuables, medication and personal documents.
  • Check the listing, photos and open time are correct on every portal.
  • Print the contract of sale, or have a link ready to send the moment a buyer asks.
  • Prepare your sign-in. A QR code sign at the door is faster and cleaner than a clipboard. You can make one with our free QR sign maker.
  • Pack the basics: signboards, brochures, a charged phone or iPad, and a floorplan.

Setting up on the day

  • Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early. Open blinds, turn on lights and set a comfortable temperature.
  • Walk through every room as a buyer would, and fix anything that distracts.
  • Put your sign-in at the front door so every group passes it.
  • Put directional signs out on the street, and make sure the front entrance looks its best.

During the open home

  • Greet every group and make sure they sign in. Clear, legible details matter more than anything else you collect.
  • Ask a light question or two: what kind of buyer they are, and whether they need to sell first.
  • Notice who lingers, who measures rooms and who comes back. Repeat visitors are often your strongest buyers.
  • Have answers ready for the common questions: rates, strata, parking, school zones and the sale method.
Busy open? Hand around an iPad in kiosk mode so groups sign themselves in while you talk to the serious buyers.

Straight after

  • Send every group a short feedback request the same day. Our guide to buyer feedback questions covers what to ask.
  • Send the contract to anyone who asked for it, ideally within the hour.
  • Call buyers who are very keen, ready to offer or came back for a second look.
  • Flag buyers who need to sell first as appraisal leads.

Updating your vendor

  • Share the numbers: groups through, repeat visitors and contracts requested.
  • Summarise interest, what buyers loved and the common concerns, without naming buyers.
  • Log every offer and share it promptly.
  • Add your own written update with next steps. Our guide to vendor reports has a simple structure.

Openy turns most of this checklist into a few taps: QR sign-in, automatic feedback, contract request alerts and a live vendor report. Try it on your phone.