An “open house” (a scheduled date when a property for sale is made available for viewing by potential buyers) is an essential component of real estate marketing, as it increases exposure for a listing and attracts people actively looking for a property.

However, the success of an open house depends on several factors, including how well the event is promoted to attract potential buyers and how effectively attendees are engaged during the event. This is where digital signage comes in!

Digital signage employs digital screens that can capture and hold people’s attention, making it a powerful tool for effectively promoting an open house event and engaging attendees during the event.

The best ways to use digital signage to boost open house engagement include:

1. Promote the open house event

Even before thinking of how you will make your open house event engaging for potential buyers who attend, you need to think of how you will get them to attend.

Digital signage is one of the most powerful marketing and advertising tools, as it can capture and hold people’s attention more than traditional signage. So, if you’re a real estate agency looking to increase visibility and exposure for an open house, use digital signage to promote the event.

Create eye-catching displays and messages about the event and beam them to your target audience on your digital displays/ screens. 

Showcase the property's special features with irresistible images and video clips. The promotional digital signage content should also include the date, time, and location of the open house.

Some tips for getting the best out of open house promotion digital signage include:

• Using outdoor displays and window digital signage: Maximise visibility for your event’s promo content by targeting people who may not enter your premises. Place digital signage by open or glass windows to capture the attention of passersby. Also, place outdoor digital signage in front of your agency or other outdoor spaces where your target audience would be.

• Use countdown timers: Display a countdown timer on your digital screens in the days before the open house event. This creates anticipation and excitement among potential attendees.

Read also: Increasing Foot Traffic: How Digital Signage Draws More Customers.

2. Give attendees a warm welcome

Your real estate agency is more likely to inspire confidence if you give off a positive first impression, while a negative first impression may leave lingering doubts in people’s minds.

Interestingly, something as simple as a warm welcome can evoke strong emotional responses in potential buyers who attend your open house. Therefore, use digital signage to display a warm welcome message to potential buyers as they enter the property.

Being greeted by a welcoming and well-presented space can create a positive impression in your open house attendees’ minds, making them more receptive to the rest of the property.

To make your welcome message more impactful, consider displaying customised welcome messages instead of generic ones. Specific ways to personalise open house welcome messages include:

• Names: If possible, incorporate individual names into the welcome message (e.g., Welcome John! We’re thrilled to have you here). One way to get attendees' names beforehand is by implementing an RSVP system and inviting people to confirm their attendance and provide their names.

• Property-specific information. Let the welcome message reflect specific features of the property that might interest the attendee (e.g., Welcome to the Orchid House! Explore the stunning backyard oasis).

3. Display a property highlight reel

An open house event is organised to showcase a property’s features and heighten interest in it. Thus, one way to get your event’s attendees really excited is to use digital signage to highlight the main features and amenities of the property. 

Use high-resolution images and crisp/vivid videos on digital screens throughout the open house event to showcase your property’s unique selling points. 

This will entice your event’s attendees to explore the property further, increasing the likelihood of securing offers.

Pro tip: Use professional photography and videography to capture the best angles of features you want to showcase.

Examples of property features that you may showcase in a property highlight reel include:

• Architectural style: Highlight any unique architectural elements such as vaulted ceilings, arched doorways, etc.

• Outdoor spaces: Showcase outdoor areas such as gardens, patios, etc. (especially if they offer stunning views or allow gathering)

• Amenities: Display onsite amenities such as a fireplace, swimming pool, fitness centre, etc.

• Smart home technologies: Highlight smart home features such as integrated security systems, automated lighting, etc.

4. Showcase an interactive map of the property

One way real estate businesses can improve the viewing experience for open-house attendees is to increase their understanding of the property’ layout and make it easy for them to navigate the property.

A digital map (layout or floor plan) of the property being showcased can do this!

Displaying a map of the property on digital screens during your open house will increase attendees’ understanding and appreciation of the property’s layout and features. 

It will also enhance navigation during an open house event, as it makes it easy for attendees to navigate the different areas and amenities of the property. 

Pro tip: Make the digital maps displayed during open houses interactive.

An interactive map enhances engagement by offering two-way communication. The digital display shows attendees a clear layout of the property. 

And they can directly interact with the map to access more information. 

For example, they can click on the digital display to access more information about the space, such as dimensions, purpose, photo gallery, etc.

5. Provide virtual tours

Like an appetiser taken before a main course to stimulate appetite, virtual tours can entice attendees of an open house event and get them excited about starting the physical tour.

So, use your digital screens to show virtual tours of the property to your open house attendees before they begin the physical tour.

Best practices for using digital signage to offer virtual tours during open houses include:

• Make it comprehensive: Ensure the virtual tour covers all the areas of the property, including interior and exterior spaces. Showcasing every room, area, and feature ensures potential buyers get a complete representation of the property.

• Use high-quality content: Use high-quality images or 360-degree videos to provide an immersive viewing experience. Consider investing in professional photography and videography to showcase the property in the best possible light.

• Include interactive elements: Make screens offering virtual tours clickable so viewers can click elements on the screen to access additional information. For example, attendees can click to select specific rooms or areas to explore in more detail.

6. Display property listings

Granted, an open house should be about the property being showcased. However, it is not uncommon to display property listings or additional information about other properties.

Using digital signage screens to display information about other properties during an open house event offers numerous benefits, such as providing attendees with options and allowing real estate agencies to showcase their portfolio of properties. 

Real estate agents know that many attendees of open house events may not proceed with their interest. While they may like the property, they may want to explore other options within a particular budget or location preference.

Displaying a property listing during an open house event allows real estate agents or agencies to showcase their portfolio of properties so attendees can consider other properties that meet their preferences.

Pro tip: When displaying property listings during an open house, designate a separate area for displaying the additional properties.

This ensures that the property being showcased remains the event's main attraction and that the cross-promoted properties do not overshadow it.

7. Offer interactive games or quizzes

Games are fun and entertaining. When incorporated into a house open, they can make the event engaging and memorable. So, to boost open house engagement, use digital signage displays to offer interactive games and quizzes during the event.

Adding interactive games or quizzes to open house events will increase attendees’ interaction with the property and make their experience more enjoyable.

Pro tip: Games or quizzes incorporated into open houses should be related to the property being showcased or real estate generally. And you should offer prizes or incentives for participation.

Games you may consider include:

• Property feature challenge: Provide a quiz that highlights the key features of the properties. Questions can be about the type of flooring used, square footage, etc.

• Local market trend: Provide a quiz that tests attendees’ knowledge of real estate market trends in the area. Questions can be about the median price of similar properties, average days on market, etc.

Offering prizes or incentives will get more attendees to participate in your game or quiz. Prizes could include decor items, gift cards, home improvement store vouchers, or even a discount on the property.

You may also like: 7 Interactive Features of Digital Signage on Smart TVs for Enhanced Customer Engagement.

8. Stage the property

Showing open house attendees around an empty house helps them appreciate the place. However, helping them visualise themselves living in the space can be more immersive and make the property more appealing.

This is where home staging comes in! Home staging means arranging tasteful furniture, decor, and accessories to help people visualise themselves living in the space.

Digital signage allows you to offer a staged home experience during open house events. You can show attendees around the empty house so they appreciate the layout. Then, you use digital signage displays to show them how the house looks like with furniture and decor.

Also, digital signage allows for dynamic presentations of a staged property. The real estate agent hosting the event can easily switch between different staged home designs to showcase the house's attractiveness in different interior design styles.

Also read: How to Leverage Digital Signage for Unforgettable Customer Experiences.

9. Feature testimonials and success stories

The best form of real estate advertising content is user-generated content (which is simply positive reviews from satisfied clients).

All the ads you put out about why people should choose your real estate company may not be as effective as a testimonial from past clients who found their dream houses through your agency. Feature customer testimonials and success stories on your digital screens during open houses.

Success stories and testimonials from satisfied clients serve as social proof of your credibility and expertise as a real estate agent or agency. 

This can reassure attendees that they are making a wise decision when considering your services or the properties you represent.

10. Integrate social media feeds

Social media offers a whole level of engagement. Nowadays, virtually everyone is on social media, sharing their experiences and engaging in discussions with other social media users.

So, a good way to boost engagement during open houses is to bring the event to social media by featuring social media feeds on your digital signage screens.

Encourage attendees to share their experiences on social media during the open house. Create unique hashtags for the event and encourage visitors to use them when posting. 

Use the hashtags to track posts related to the open house and display these posts on your digital screens.

Attendees will be excited to see their posts displayed on the screens, encouraging more attendees to post.

Integrating social media feeds into open houses allows real estate companies to reach more people. It takes open houses beyond the walls of real estate offices or the event location. It takes the event online, allowing people not physically in the location to know about the event and property.

Pro tip: Moderate social posts before displaying them on your digital signage. This ensures you do not unknowingly show posts with trolling or profane content.

11. Show a local area guide

When buying a property, people give as much attention to the neighbourhood as they do to the property itself.

And for good reason. With factors such as nearby amenities, access to green spaces, safety, etc., a property’s neighbourhood can affect the lifestyle and quality of life that residents will experience.

Since neighbourhoods can make a big difference in a property’s desirability, real estate companies should prioritise using digital signage displays to showcase the local neighbourhood during open houses. 

Doing this will help the event attendees envision the kind of lifestyle they can experience in the area, increasing their likelihood of making an offer. Know that neighbourhood information can spark discussions amongst attendees, increasing engagement.

Things to highlight when showcasing a property’s neighbourhood include:

• Nearby attractions.

• Restaurants, shopping malls, and local markets.

• Schools.

• Local community events.

• Parks, train stations, and airports in the area

• Fun facts about the area.

12. Provide real-time updates, announcements, and reminders

One of the many advantages of a digital sign over traditional paper signage is offering real-time updates. While changing the content of traditional signage requires printing new materials, you can change a digital sign on the fly with just a few clicks of computer buttons. 

The ability of digital signage to provide real-time updates makes it excellent for communicating important information during your open house event. So, use digital signage to communicate real-time updates and make announcements during your events.

Display your schedule of activities on your screens and update it in real time to reflect any changes or additions. During the open house, display reminders of upcoming activities on the screens.

You can use the screens to display special announcements, such as waived fees or incentives for signing a lease or purchase agreement during the event.

13. Display the latest housing trends and statistics

Potential clients are usually more willing to commit to a purchase if they feel they are getting a great opportunity or a good deal. Providing the latest housing information can help you do this!

Show an attention-grabbing infographic on digital screens to provide attendees with up-to-date information about housing trends and statistics. This can help them see opportunities they may not have considered and show them they are getting a good deal. 

For example, if the prices of the featured properties are less than the average prices for similar properties, be sure to highlight this stat. 

This can show attendees they’re getting a good deal. Also, highlighting trends like an emerging neighbourhood can show attendees that the area has potential for appreciation (which may be something they had not previously considered).

These trends can make them more interested in the property, increasing their likelihood of making an offer.

You may also like: Unlocking the Power of Digital Signage: A Guide To Getting Started!

Takeaway: boost open house engagement with Luna Screens digital signage solution

The real estate industry is very competitive. To be successful in this fiercely competitive environment, you need to spice up your open house game by making the events more engaging for attendees. Interestingly, digital signage is one of the best ways to do this!

Use any combination of the creative ways listed above to boost open house engagement and supercharge your real estate business.

Besides installing digital displays, the digital signage software you choose can make or mar your real estate digital signage implementation. This is where Luna Screens comes in!

Luna Screens is a cloud-based digital signage software with a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to create visually appealing, engaging, and informative content for real estate open houses with little or no technical expertise.

Unlike many digital signage solutions, Luna Screens is a reliable solution that minimises downtime. So, you can be sure there won’t be software glitches that will make your displays go off when they should be live and running.

Ready to supercharge your open house events with real estate digital signage? Get Started with Luna Screens today!