Open House Resource Page

Hosting Open Houses for Listing Agents

Hosting open houses is one of the most effective ways to build your real estate business, particularly early on. While you are hosting on behalf of a listing agent, the open house itself is your opportunity to connect with buyers, build confidence, and establish your presence in the community.

This page is designed to support you in hosting professionally, confidently, and within appropriate boundaries, while making the most of the opportunities open houses provide.

Why Hosting Open Houses Matters

Open houses offer something few other activities do: real conversations with real buyers, in real time.

For new agents especially, hosting open houses regularly can be a powerful foundation for long term success. Each open house helps you:

• Learn the market by seeing homes at different price points and conditions

• Understand what buyers are looking for by speaking with them directly

• Practice fielding questions and explaining value

• Build confidence having real estate conversations

• Make genuine connections that lead to future clients

• Develop your follow up skills and learn how to convert leads over time

We strongly encourage agents, particularly those newer to the industry, to host open houses as often as possible. The more you host, the more comfortable and confident you become.

Our Open House Group Program

To support agents in hosting more open houses, we run an Open House Group.

• Listing agents notify us when they are looking for a host

• Opportunities are shared by SMS with agents in the Open House Group

• Interested agents contact the listing agent directly to coordinate hosting

This program is designed to remove barriers and help agents access hosting opportunities. Agents may also use the group to find hosts for their own listings.

If you would like to be added to the Open House Group, please reach out to us at service@phre.ca.

Your Role as the Host Agent

When hosting an open house, you are representing yourself and the brokerage while supporting the listing agent.

Your role is to:

• Welcome guests and create a positive first impression

• Share accurate, factual information about the property

• Collect visitor information and feedback

• Communicate professionally with the listing agent

You may not have authority over staging, pricing, or property decisions, but strong preparation and professionalism go a long way.

Before the Open House

Coordination with the Listing Agent

Whenever possible, connect with the listing agent ahead of time to:

• Walk through the property

• Review key features and highlights

• Confirm access, signage, and instructions

• Clarify how feedback should be shared afterward

Preparation Within Your Scope

• Review the MLS listing thoroughly

• Familiarize yourself with the neighbourhood

• Confirm the schedule and logistics

• Arrive early to ensure the home is presented well, if permitted

During the Open House

• Greet guests warmly and invite them to sign in

• Be available without being intrusive

• Answer factual questions and avoid speculation

• Refer representation or negotiation questions appropriately

Agency and Open Houses

When hosting an open house, it is important to be clear about your role and how agency applies.

When you are hosting an open house for another agent’s listing:

• You are not automatically representing the seller or the buyer

• You are there to show the property and provide factual information

• No agency relationship exists with visitors unless one is clearly established

Most visitors are unrepresented unless they already have an agency relationship or choose to enter into one.

If a visitor is seeking advice or representation, that conversation should happen separately with appropriate disclosures.

After the Open House

• Share feedback with the listing agent promptly

• Pass along any strong interest or follow up requests

• Enter contacts into your database and follow up professionally

Open House Kit: Items to Have on Hand

While every open house is different, many agents find it helpful to bring:

• Property feature sheets or listing brochures

• A sign in sheet or digital sign in option

• Business cards

• Directional signage

• A rubber mallet for installing signage

• A notepad and pen

• A mild, neutral odour remover for unexpected situations

• A phone charger or portable battery pack

• A portable Bluetooth speaker for light background music, if appropriate

• A folder or clipboard to keep materials organized

• A watch or phone for time awareness and follow up notes

• A welcoming, professional approach and familiarity with the property

Optional, with listing agent approval

• Neighbourhood information

• Extra listing flyers

• Printed follow up materials

Mentorship and Support

If you are working with a mentor, open houses are an excellent opportunity to lean on their experience. Mentors can share practical hosting advice and follow up strategies that worked well for them.

Conclusion

Hosting open houses builds confidence, skills, and relationships. Each open house is an opportunity to learn, connect, and grow your business. We encourage agents to host often and approach each open house with curiosity and professionalism.