Hosting an open house can be a great way to generate interest in a property, promote a bit of competition between potential buyers and directly gauge how people feel about an asset.
However, the more people you welcome into a home, the greater the risk of damage, theft or vandalism occurring, potentially devaluing the asset and hurting the agent’s reputation in turn.
To host a perfect open house, security and freedom must be balanced. For agents looking to improve future viewings, here’s how to tighten up open house security without killing the vibe.
Leverage subtle access controls
Taking note of every person who enters the property and controlling access to internal areas is key to tightening security at an open house. However, being too strict or obvious in your efforts can make visitors feel uncomfortable, so try to be subtle in the controls you leverage.
Best practices to keep things secure and welcoming include:
- Require pre-registration: Add a link to an online registration form in print and digital ads for your open house that interested parties can use to receive unique credentials.
- Minimize access points: Lock all exterior doors other than the main entrance and station an agent there to welcome guests and check their pre-registration information.
- Record access logs: Welcome visitors one by one and note down each entry event; this process can help to control occupancy and inform investigations where required.
Use tech to safeguard valuables
Natural staging is important to make an open house feel like a normal, lived-in home, but it’s vital to ensure the items used to create this vibe aren’t valuable, dangerous or marked with personal information. Thankfully, smart security tech can help to secure valuables discreetly.
Consider safeguarding valuables using smart technologies like:
- Biometric safes: High-value belongings like jewelry, cash and documents can be secured in inconspicuous safes that require biometric data like fingerprints to unlock.
- Security cables: Safes and other high-risk items like TVs, ornaments and artwork can be anchored to heavy objects and infrastructure using discreetly placed cables.
- Smart cameras: Discreet home security cameras with AI-powered analytics can be used to automatically identify threats and suspicious behaviors.
Observe key areas discreetly
Arguably the most effective way to deter open house security risks is to keep a watchful eye over the home at all times. However, it’s impossible to create a welcoming vibe with agents and cameras in every room, so it’s important to be discreet when observing any open house.
In many cases, creating that balance comes down less to adding visible controls and more to combining unobtrusive physical security measures throughout the property.
To improve visibility without killing the vibe, consider:
- Employing a two-agent system: Minimize the time visitors spend alone in the home by having one agent welcome people at the door and another handle the tour inside.
- Using well-placed smart tech: Discreet smart home tech like doorbell cameras and motion sensors can be placed in key areas to boost visibility without alarming guests.
- Maintaining clear lines of sight: Consider removing blinds/curtains, propping doors open and repositioning mirrors to maintain clear lines of sight throughout the property.
Naturally direct the flow of traffic
The more control agents have over the path guests take when viewing the property and how long they spend in certain areas, the lower the risk of security issues occurring. To maintain control without being overbearing, explore ways to naturally direct traffic through the property.
Practical points and practices to keep in mind include:
- Minimize closed-off areas: Propping open interior doors and entryways to walk-in closets and pantries can help to minimize areas where people can slip away out of view.
- Erect polite signage: Small, politely worded signs installed around the property can help to keep people on a planned track and block off small shortcuts between rooms.
- Offer refreshments at the exit: Set up a refreshments table at the end of the tour and mention it when greeting guests to give people an incentive to finish the viewing.
Host the perfect open house
Open houses offer an ideal opportunity for potential buyers to experience actually living in a home, with historic reports suggesting they can increase sale values by as much as $9,000.
By striking the right balance between security and freedom, agents can enjoy all the benefits of open houses while minimizing security risks to help facilitate a positive and welcoming vibe.
Andrew Reichek is the President of Bodebuilders.com. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
