How to Hold an Open Home & Handle Offers

🏡 How to Host a Successful Open Home & Handle Buyer Offers Like a Pro

If you’re selling your home privately through SaleByHomeOwner.com.au, hosting your own open home is one of the most important steps you can take to attract serious buyers and create momentum around your sale. The good news? With the right preparation and follow-up, you can run a professional open home that rivals any agent-led inspection — and best of all, you stay in full control.

Below is our expert step-by-step guide covering:

How to prepare your home
What to do on inspection day
How to deal with buyers
The best way to follow up
How to collect informal offers in writing
And how to move from a verbal agreement to a formal Contract of Sale

✅ Step 1: Prepare the Property Like a Pro

First impressions are everything — buyers often decide within seconds whether they see themselves living in your home. Here’s how to make sure your property is presented at its absolute best:

Declutter & depersonalise: Clear benches, remove personal photos, and tidy every surface. Think “display home.”
Deep clean: Bathrooms, kitchens, windows, skirting boards — the works.
Style each room: Arrange furniture to show off space and flow. Add fresh flowers, cushions, or subtle scent diffusers for ambience.
Lighting is key: Open all curtains and blinds, turn on lights, and let natural light flood in.
Street appeal: Mow the lawn, sweep the front entrance, and clean windows — your home’s exterior is the buyer’s first impression.
Remove distractions: Secure pets, and where possible, send kids out during the inspection.

✅ Step 2: Be the Perfect Host on Open Day

When potential buyers arrive, you’ll want to be friendly, approachable, and helpful — but never overbearing. Let them explore at their own pace while remaining available to answer questions.

Tips for managing the inspection:

Greet visitors warmly but don’t follow them around.
Provide printed handouts with key info (land size, council rates, price guide).
Have a clipboard ready with a simple sign-in form to collect names, emails, and phone numbers (or use a tablet).
Offer them a copy of the Letter of Offer form (see below) and politely let them know they can fill it in to express interest in writing.

✅ Step 3: Encourage Informal Written Offers

Instead of waiting for verbal offers or “maybe” comments, prompt serious buyers to put their interest in writing. This helps you:

Confirm genuine intent
Start the negotiation process
Compare offers more clearly

What is a Letter of Offer?
A Letter of Offer is a non-binding, informal expression of interest from a buyer. It’s not a legal contract but shows the buyer’s proposed price, deposit, settlement time, and any conditions (e.g. finance, building inspection).

How to use it:

Provide printed copies of your Letter of Offer form at the open home.
Politely encourage buyers to take one and return it via email or in person.
Explain it’s not a contract — just a way to formally express interest.

💡 You can download a free Letter of Offer template from SaleByHomeOwner.com.au or request one from our support team.

✅ Step 4: Follow Up with Every Buyer

After the inspection, follow-up is crucial. Many private sellers fail here — but it’s where you can really outperform agents.

Best follow-up strategy:

Same-day SMS: “Hi [Name], thank you for attending the inspection today at [address]. Please let me know if you have any questions. I’d be happy to send you the Letter of Offer form if interested.”
Next-day email: Include a digital copy of the Letter of Offer form and a friendly reminder of your asking price and key features.
Two-day follow-up call: Check in with your most interested parties and ask if they’d like to make an offer or revisit the home.

✅ Step 5: Accepting an Informal Offer & Moving to a Contract

Once you’ve received an informal offer in writing that you’re happy with, here’s how to proceed:

Review the buyer’s terms — double-check deposit amount, finance clause, and desired settlement timeframe.
Confirm acceptance via email or phone, noting that it’s subject to final contract signing.
Engage a conveyancer or solicitor (or the buyer can) to prepare the Contract of Sale.
- In most cases, the buyer’s conveyancer will draft the contract and send it to your legal representative for review.
Once both parties agree on the terms, the Contract of Sale is signed and the sale becomes legally binding (pending any conditions).

🔑 Final Tips for Private Sellers

Be confident — buyers won’t question your role if you sound knowledgeable and prepared.
Keep records of all enquiries, offers, and discussions.
Always clearly explain when something is “informal” vs “legally binding.”
Be transparent about your process — buyers appreciate honesty and professionalism.