What better way to step up your virtual touring strategy than to host a virtual open house?

Hosting a virtual open house enables your team to expand its reach and impact while catering to those unable to tour in person for a variety of reasons. Furthermore, these virtual experiences instill trust and transparency into the leasing process while allowing your team to be safe and more efficient — meaning fewer tours and less face-to-face time required!

Let's take a look at some of the best practices for hosting a virtual open house, and a simple 5 step process to ensure that your virtual open house is a success for everyone involved! 

1. Schedule Ahead

In order to have adequate time to prepare and promote your open house, be sure to choose a date at least one week in advance! As virtual open houses begin to grow in popularity, consider planning out a series of open houses as needed to cater to prospective residents schedules.

2. Promote!

After you have created a link for your virtual open house, it is time to spread the word!

The promotion possibilities are endless. At the very least, post visuals to all of your property’s website and social channels. Be sure to include the link to register as well. By having prospects sign up, you will be able to check periodically to see how many people have registered and keep pushing posts accordingly. The more attendees, the merrier!

In addition to your public marketing channels, send a direct email blast to your prospective residents. Encourage your current residents to also invite their network and consider increasing or adding a Resident Referral for the event. In the email, be sure to include key information including the date, time, registration link, and of course, a reminder to have snacks on deck!

Finally, as the open house day draws near, send an email reminder a day or two in advance of the open house as a “last call” for registrations.

3. Plan and Prepare Your Community Tour Path

In order to ensure a seamless experience for your open house visitors, map out which units and amenity areas to highlight during the tour. Take the time to walk through your plan so you are comfortable with every step! While doing so, make sure that the space is looking its very best and ready to be seen by all of your prospects.

When in doubt, include everything that would be included in an in-person open house. Here are some key stops to include in your Open House:

• Community entrance: Show off your curb appeal while virtually welcoming your prospects as if they were pulling up in person
• Leasing office and front desk
• Apartment units
• Amenities
• “Hot spots”: Next door to a coffee shop or gym? Close to local transit? What are the favorite bars down the street? Be sure to not forget these key highlights!

4. Ready Your Team

As you would in an in-person open house, be sure that your team members are prepared and at their stations. First, identify who on your team will participate in the tour! Write out key talking points for your team to make sure they are mentioned during the tour. Include where each team member should be located so that everyone is in their correct spots. Finally, give these notes to your team in order for them to practice and then ditch the notes for the real thing! Act natural and professional -- just like you would in-person.

5. Practice Makes Perfect!

Complete a practice run through once, or even a few times. Check your internet connectivity and get comfortable talking throughout the tour on camera. 

Keep these tips in mind while practicing!

• When you start the virtual open house, start near a window or wherever you have a strong connection.
• Embrace selfie mode! Introduce yourself at the beginning of the virtual open house and don’t forget to do all of your amazing closing work at the end.
• Be intentional about the pace you are moving. Be careful not to walk too fast or too slow!

The Open House! 

On the day of the tour, make sure you use a stabilizer and iOS device. Give yourself plenty of time before the day of the tour to prepare the spaces you are going to show during the virtual open house.

Finally, remember to follow-up with your attendees with the recorded link of the open house and clear next steps. By following these simple guidelines, your virtual open house is sure to be a success.