Hosting an open house is one of the only things you may have to do on your own. Fortunately, it's easy.

The first week your property is on the market, we recommend you hold an open house Saturday or Sunday afternoon, from 1 - 4PM. Prepare your home for showing inside and out! Get it ready, put away your valuables and bake some cookies so your home smells nice. Display flyers (which we'll help you print) near the entrance or on a dining room table next to a guest registration form, or your own guest book for follow-up later. Remove fliers from the yard-sign flier box so that people will come inside.

We'll promote the open house information on the Realtor MLS®, Realtor.com® the Internet and on our blog pages. You can purchase Open House signs at a hardware store, Home Depot or Lowe's stores. When people stop by, be casual, welcome them to your home, be friendly and available to answer questions. You'll do much better than most agents at selling your home, because you know the property better than anyone else. Relax!!

More serious customers usually want a private tour of the home.Trust Real Estate will list itself as the agent to contact for offers, but will include your telephone number and e-mail address to schedule private tours.

In many cases, the buyer will be represented by a traditional buyer's agent, who as part of his service to the buyer will accompany the buyer on a tour. In this case, the buyer's agent will call you to arrange a time, and if you approve will be able to access the property via the lockbox (computerized) without your being there. Your only job is to prepare your home, and to clear out for an hour. Many times it is beneficial to allow the buyers representative time alone in your house.

Often buyers don't have an agent to take them on tour, in which case you need to host a tour yourself. This is what you hoped for? It is fair to ask in advance if the buyer has been pre-approved for the price of the property so you know you're getting someone reputable and ready to buy. You can also ask the buyer to sign a guest register as your contact.

During the tour, be friendly explain to buyers what you like most about the house, but don't sell too hard. People appreciate it if you keep it real. You should ask that couples or families stay together with you as you go through the house. Let people know that this is a great house and lots of other folks have shown interest.

If you have any questions, call or contact us.