Hosting an open house is a great way to get people interested in your home.
It also allows your real estate agent to answer any questions, and you can either be present or step out for a few hours during the open house. Like many things, there’s a certain etiquette to open houses- which you can read more about here. One of the main things is that it is customary to leave out food and drinks- there’s no need to prepare a roasted turkey, but having more than a bowl of chips is customary. Before we get to the below tips, we want to note that finger foods are vastly preferred- but still make sure you leave out small plates!
Hors D’oeuvres
Sometimes, simple is best. Everyone has their favorite hors d’oeuvres, so start by preparing yours to put out. While we wouldn’t recommend frozen pizza bites, items like spinach dip in individual puff pastry pockets, stuffed mushrooms, and deviled eggs are all sure to please!
Charcuterie
The beautiful thing about charcuterie boards is that they can be as big or small as you need. Everyone has a different version- but we recommend starting with the following and increasing based on how many people are coming:
- One medium-hard cheese.
- One soft cheese.
- Sliced bread or crackers.
- Two types of cured meat.
- Assorted vegetables and dip (make sure you pre-portion some or have a serving spoon).
Some other fun additions are preserves, olives, and dark chocolate!
Finger Sandwiches
Finger sandwiches are crustless sandwiches cut into small triangles or rectangles. Like the other options in this blog, you can go with classic or more modern. There are many different combinations to choose from and enjoy- some ideas are:
- Cucumber, cream cheese, and dill.
- Ham, mustard, and cheese.
- Radish and herb butter.
- Smoked salmon, cream cheese, dill, and red onion.
Baked Goods
Who doesn’t love a good treat? Items like cupcakes, cookies, and brownies are all popular choices, whether homemade or store-bought.
While the open house is exciting, the most important thing is that you have a knowledgeable and experienced real estate agent- after all, no amount of finger sandwiches in the world can sell your home! At Long and Foster Real Estate, Liz Wilson has years of experience serving Lake Anna and the surrounding areas, such as: Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, Louisa, Mineral, Bumpass, Orange, and Charlottesville. Her years of experience allow for in-depth knowledge of the area and expertise in both selling your home and finding you your perfect new home.
When you’re ready to sell your home, and begin looking to purchase a new one, call Liz at 540-226-6475 to learn more about working together!