open house tour meaning

What is an Open House? Everything Home Sellers Should Know

• Attract Buyers
• Open Houses
• Published on August 14th, 2023
• 13 min read

Lauren is a writer based in Rhode Island. She attended Brown University, where she earned a B.A. in History with a concentration in East Asia. Her work can be found in Southern Rhode Island Newspapers, Brown University's Next Generation, and Awkward & Out.

Taryn Tacher is the senior editorial operations manager and senior editor for HomeLight's Resource Centers. With eight years of editorial and operations experience, she previously managed editorial operations at Contently and content partnerships at Conde Nast. Taryn holds a bachelor's from the University of Florida College of Journalism, and she's written for GQ, Teen Vogue, Glamour, Allure, and Variety.

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Open houses have long stood as a traditional and effective method for showcasing a property to potential buyers. It’s an event where homeowners and real estate agents come together to present a home in its best light.

For buyers, open houses offer a tangible, unfiltered experience of a property — far beyond what photos or virtual tours can provide. Meanwhile, sellers seize this opportunity to highlight their home’s unique features, aiming to create a lasting impression that could expedite their sale.

We’ll discuss the ins and outs of open houses, the pros and cons of having one, and what you can do as the seller to ensure a successful open house.

Step one: Talk to an expert!

Selling your house soon? Connect with a top agent near you to get an expert opinion on how much your house will sell for, what to fix before listing, and the latest local housing market trends.

The history of open houses

Open houses are one of the oldest real estate marketing tricks in the book. The long-standing tradition began in the 1910s as a perk that came with signing an exclusive contract to sell a home.

Prior to the dawn of open houses, anyone could be a real estate agent, so you didn’t need to have a broker’s license to sell a home. As competition among real estate agents became more fierce, exclusive contracts allowed agents to bind themselves contractually to a family and their property to guarantee they would make money off the sale.

With this exclusive representation, agents started to label homes as “open for inspection” and invite the public to tour the home. The first open houses would last days or weeks and were primarily used to sell new homes that would pique the public interest in the developing architectural styles of the time.

What’s the definition of an open house today?

Today, a real estate open house is a marketing event held for a short period of time (usually 2-4 hours on the weekend or in the evening during the week) for the general public to pop by and view a house for sale. Open houses differ from home showings in that they’re not appointment-based and anyone can show up .

An open house is hosted by the listing agent, who represents the seller of the home. It’s the listing agent’s job to show visitors around the house, point out its highlights, and answer potential buyers’ questions about the home’s history, updates, and condition.

The purpose of an open house is to generate buzz and drum up interest in a home to secure a competitive offer, but in some cases, an open house may be more effective in building an agent’s business than actually selling the home.

What happens during an open house?

During an open house, visitors are typically greeted by the listing agent who often provides property brochures or spec sheets detailing the home’s features, square footage, and other important details. Many agents require visitors to sign in, capturing their contact information for follow-up conversations and feedback.

As potential buyers explore the property, they’ll have the freedom to roam from room to room, envisioning themselves in the space. They might test water pressures, open closets to gauge storage, or stand by windows to consider the views.

The agent is available to answer questions, highlight the home’s standout features, and provide insights on the local neighborhood, schools, and amenities. Sometimes, an open house might feature light refreshments, soft background music, or even a professional home stager’s touch to enhance the home’s appeal.

What are the benefits of hosting an open house?

Beyond the obvious goal of showcasing the home, an open house serves multiple purposes. It’s a chance for real estate agents to engage directly with potential buyers, gauge their reactions, and gather real-time feedback for the seller. It’s also an opportunity to cast a wide net, drawing in a diverse group of prospects in a short period of time.

According to Marine Yoo, one of Madison, Wisconsin’s top-selling real estate agents, an open house can be used as a tool to heighten the appeal of your home and motivate buyers to make an offer quickly. If an interested buyer knows that your property is hot and will draw in lots of traffic, they’ll be more inclined to make a competitive offer before the open house even occurs.

“There are two ways that an open house can spur interest in a house and really help a seller,” says Yoo. “One of them is to basically spark a fire under a buyer. So, if a buyer knows that a home is available for sale, and they see an open house is coming up in five days, they know there’s probably decent traffic coming to the open house. So the advice we give all our buyers is, see the property privately right now before all these potential buyers come on Sunday.”

Yoo says that an open house could also be used as the one and only chance for interested buyers to view the property. This way, serious buyers can get a look at the home and the competition when they make their offer to the seller.

“Realtors may opt to decline any showings until the open house, and that strategy drives more traffic,” explains Yoo.

What are the drawbacks of hosting an open house?

An open house is a great way to play up the high demand for your property, but there are some downsides to hosting one.

There’s no guarantee that buyers will show up

Open houses have fallen down the list of effective marketing tactics for home sales. Only 1% of home buyers visited an open house as the first step of their house search in 2023, while just 4% found the home they ended up purchasing from an open house sign. This is largely due to the widespread use of listing services, high-definition photographs, and virtual tours that can be found on the internet.

Open houses can present a security risk to your home

Some sellers have reservations about hosting open houses because they fear that they’re exposing their home to possible damage or theft. If the house doesn’t sell quickly, your real estate agent may end up hosting multiple open houses, exposing your home to a lot of people , in which case, private showings may be a better way to go.

Open houses cost time and money

Open houses can cost sellers time if their home continues to sit on the market. All of that money you’ll spend on premium upkeep, pet and childcare, heating and cooling the home on the day of the open house(s) can start to add up.

When is the best time to host an open house?

The best time to host an open house is on the weekend when potential buyers are available and have time to check out your home after running their morning errands.

In larger metro areas, traffic tends to pick up in the afternoon, so if your property is in the city, you’ll likely want to host your open house anywhere between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. In the suburbs, traffic is not as much of a concern; host your open house between noon and 4 p.m.

Keep your open house to about two hours. According to Yoo, you want potential buyers to know that there is a limited amount of time for them to see the home. Your home is valuable, and by providing a short window to view it, you’ll be giving buyers what they’ll think is an exclusive look at an in-demand house.

What can a seller do to guarantee a successful open house?

Here are a few things you should do before you let all of those strangers flood into your home.

Deep clean and declutter your home

It should go without saying, but your home should be spotless before potential buyers arrive. Deep cleaning and decluttering will improve first impressions and can even add $8,000 of resale value on average , according to HomeLight’s Summer 2023 Top Agent Insights Report. If you need to, hire a professional cleaning service for $30 to $50 per hour to get the job done.

Invest in home staging

When potential buyers enter your home, you want them to be able to picture what their life would be like if they lived there. Hire a staging company to change out and rearrange your furniture, paint your walls — we recommend a nice neutral beige tone — and let in natural light. Agents estimate that staging your home increases its value by 18% .

Advertise your open house on the internet

96% of home buyers use the web in their search for a new home. Your agent will advertise your open house on the internet — on the multiple listing service (MLS) and the top real estate listing websites that share open house event details, such as Trulia, Zillow, and Redfin. You can also post your open house on places like Nextdoor, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace.

Promote the event with physical signs

Even though the internet is a reliable, efficient information resource for open houses, lawn signs on the day of your event are a must. Be sure to set up ample signage guiding buyers to your open house, so they have no trouble finding the home.

Keep your messaging simple. For example, your sign might say “Open House Next Left.” Signs should also be in bright colors, so they stand out.

What’s an agent’s job during the open house?

An agent’s job during an open house is to be the steward of your home. That means that he or she will welcome guests into the house, answer questions about the home, and keep track of guests that enter and exit the property in order to follow up with potential buyers who seem interested.

“Visitors have to sign in no matter what, or else they’re not getting to tour the house,” says Yoo. “Any good Realtor worth their salt will hunt that buyer down — and I use that obviously as a joking manner — to the ends of the earth to see if they have any further interest.”

In fact, it’s a good idea to leave the actual open house to your agent. When the owner of a home is present during an open house, potential buyers can find it difficult to be fully honest with the real estate agent about what they find displeasing.

“People just do not feel comfortable talking about a property and being critical about a property — even if it’s just being constructive — if the homeowner is there,” Yoo says.

Broker’s opens: An alternative to the traditional open house

Unlike traditional open houses, which invite the general public, a broker’s open caters specifically to real estate agents and professionals. Held during a weekday, this event provides an opportunity for agents to preview the property on behalf of their potential buyers. Given the professional nature of attendees, these events can be more focused, allowing the listing agent to gather valuable feedback on pricing, staging, and any possible issues that might deter potential buyers.

The advantage of a broker’s open is twofold. For sellers, it can lead to quicker offers since agents who see the property might believe it’s a perfect fit for one of their clients. For agents, it offers an exclusive look at a listing, allowing them to be more efficient in their property selections for buyers. By utilizing broker’s opens, many properties get significant initial exposure to the real estate community, potentially streamlining the selling process.

An experienced real estate agent will know whether an open house or broker’s open is the right choice for your home. HomeLight can connect you with a top agent in your market who will help you prep your house for sale, market it effectively to get interested buyers in the door, and be present at the open house or broker’s open to showcase all your home has to offer.

Header Image Source: (Markus Spiske / Unsplash)

Open house FAQ

While open houses can increase exposure for a property, they aren’t mandatory. Some sellers find success without them, relying on online listings and private showings. The effectiveness of an open house can vary based on the local market, property type, and price range.

Preparation includes decluttering , deep cleaning , and staging the home to make it appealing to potential buyers. Personal belongings should be minimized to allow visitors to envision themselves in the space. Some sellers also invest in professional staging or make minor repairs based on agent recommendations.

It’s a good practice to remove or securely store valuable items like jewelry, electronics, and personal documents. Some sellers choose to install temporary security cameras for added peace of mind. Your real estate agent will generally be present to monitor visitors, but it’s a good idea to take extra precautions.

Typically, the listing agent or a member of their team will host the open house. They will guide potential buyers, answer questions, and gather feedback. It’s also a chance for the agent to meet potential clients.

Feedback can be immediate, with some agents and potential buyers providing insights during or right after the event. However, offers might take a bit longer, ranging from a few hours after the open house to several days, depending on the buyer’s interest level and market dynamics.

• "House Cleaning Costs: Find Out What a House Cleaner Charge," Angi (November 2022)
• "What Is a Broker’s Open House and Why Should You Host One?", Angi (April 2022)
• "Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends", National Association of Relators® (March 2023)

Lauren Vella

Contributing Author

Taryn Tacher

Senior Editor

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What is an open house?

Updated January 12, 2023

An open house offers an opportunity for prospective home buyers to tour a property that’s for sale. Open houses are typically held by a seller’s real estate agent on weekends during set viewing hours. The goal of the open house is to entice potential buyers with an opportunity to see property listings in person.

When a seller puts their home up for sale, their real estate agent will recommend their clients open up their home in the interest of attracting more potential buyers. They are often held the first weekend or two after the property is listed for sale. Sellers can also choose to opt out of open houses and instead ask their home be shown by appointment only with very interested buyers and their agent.

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The schedule of open houses is  advertised on the agent’s website and input into multiple listing service (MLS) so other real estate brokers and agents can notify their clients if interesting properties have the opportunity to be viewed. Agents may also list the open houses in the real estate section of newspapers or online boards to gain more attention for the property. 

Open houses offer potential buyers the opportunity to see behind the closed doors, test the sinks, flush the toilets, and more. Credit: Kara Eads

The real estate agent will also place signs notifying the public about the open house on nearby street corners in order to drive traffic from passersby to view the property.

In order to prepare the home for the open house, sellers are asked to thoroughly clean their home, remove any clutter and tend to the landscaping. Sellers also move valuables to a safe place as well as personal effects such as family photographs for the duration of the open house. They are also required—along with any pets—to not be on the premises during the event.

Unfurnished or new homes can be professionally staged with furniture so prospective buyers can envision what the space would look like if lived in. Sometimes real estate agents do the staging , but outside staging companies can be used as well. Staging companies do rentals of furniture and accessories.

Agents may also add plants or cookies and other small refreshments for open house visitors in order for the property to feel more welcoming. A sign-up sheet is put out to capture visitors’ contact information along with a fact sheet that usually includes a photo, the price and key details about the property as well as the neighborhood and school district. (Note, in the U.S. brokers aren’t allowed to discuss the local schools’ quality.)

Even when open houses do not garner offers from interested buyers, visitors will often discuss their perceptions of the home while walking through the property, which can help alert the agent  to any drawbacks that may deter buyers. This feedback can be especially helpful if a quick fix such as a new coat of paint is all that is needed to increase a property’s selling potential. 

Agents can also schedule a broker’s open house, which is an opportunity for other real estate agents to view the property and determine if it is a good fit for any of their clients. These events are typically held midweek. 

There is less need for open houses now that internet tools have evolved to include photo slideshows, 360-degree virtual home tours and movies that interested buyers can access from the comfort of their home. Online tours are able to cast a much wider net to prospective buyers than an open house, which appeals largely to those who already happen to live in the area and are available during the open house’s window of time. Unsurprisingly, online tours became de rigueur during the worst of Covid-19.

Only 4% of home sales come from open houses, according to the National Association of Realtors , so sellers and their agents need to weigh the pros and cons before planning an open house.

Buyers should pay attention to all the details when going to an open house—flush toilets, turn on sinks. It can’t hurt to take a close look since you’ve made the effort to see it in person.

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It’s pretty hard to have an open house at a time when it’s not safe for groups of people to congregate indoors.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has made virtual open houses and video showings more popular than ever. They’re a great tool for both buyers and sellers, especially in second home-heavy markets and locales with stringent restrictions about in-person gatherings.

But, they are a little different than seeing a property in real life, so it’s a good idea to be familiar with how they work if you’re looking to see a property virtually, or want to have your home listed that way.

What is a virtual open house?

In some ways, it’s similar to an in-person one. It happens at a scheduled time, and is meant to give prospective buyers an overview of the property.

Sue “Pinky” Benson, a Realtor and video marketing specialist with RE/MAX based in Naples, Florida, said these kinds of tours are usually less highly produced than a traditional marketing video.

“It’s not the prettiest video in the world. It’s not a well-edited video per se, but you’re showing them the property in real time,” she said.

Watching one of her virtual tours , she takes care to point out all the key features of a property, focusing on what makes it unique. She also notifies people throughout the stream about how to ask questions or get more information.

Benson hosts her virtual open houses live on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and also sometimes uploads copies of the videos to YouTube after the livestream ends. 

Posting the streams on multiple platforms means more eyes on a listing, and also allows prospective buyers to see the video even after the live portion ends, she said.

Another benefit to a live stream is that viewers can ask questions in real time by posting comments on the video. But, Benson said, just like in real life, interested buyers don’t always want to tip their hand by asking questions in a public forum. Many buyers prefer to send private messages instead.

“They’re worried, what if someone else sees that I’m interested in this property?”

Can I get a private virtual tour?

Yes. Many agents are going beyond just offering virtual open houses. Interested buyers should work with their agents to arrange private video viewings of properties if they can’t go out to see it themselves — or are uncomfortable doing so during a global health crisis.

These kinds of tours allow prospective buyers to see properties in detail, even if they can’t be there on-site. 

“When it comes to a buyer who is interested in that individual property, they want you to walk the property, they want to see what it looks like outside,” Benson said. These kinds of one-on-one virtual tours allow prospective buyers to examine a property as if they were there in real life.

Many of her recent sales started by video, “whether a virtual open house or a private video with my client to show them the property in real time,” Benson said. 

“We have had a huge uptick in the amount of clients, many have purchased straight from the video without seeing the property until they’re in the inspection period, or we’ve narrowed down the properties based on the video.”

What should buyers and sellers know?

Now more than ever, it’s important to make sure you find an agent who is equipped to show your property virtually if you’re selling, or show you properties over video if you’re buying.

“The pandemic has pushed the technology side of things,” Benson said. When finding an agent to work with, “you’ve got to ask them the technology questions. Are you doing videos?”

It could limit your prospective pool of buyers, or the number of properties you’ll be able to see, if you work with an agent who isn’t as comfortable with the tech.

Bottom line

Even before the pandemic, video tours and virtual open houses were on the rise. But they’ve become much more popular in the last few months. It’s important to be familiar with them yourself and find an agent who is comfortable with them as well if you’re about to enter the real estate market.

It’s very likely that real estate shopping will have a growing virtual component even after the pandemic subsides.

If you ever find yourself attending an open house, don’t be afraid to speak up. If the video is on a live streaming platform, use the comments section to ask the agent questions, or request things you want to see more of, or hear more about. Similarly, don’t be worried about asking for your own private video tour if your interest in a property is piqued. A one-on-one virtual showing can give you more control over what you’re seeing, and will allow you to ask questions and give feedback more freely, without the worry that other prospective buyers will be thinking of ways to outmaneuver you based on what you have to say.

Learn more:

• What’s it like to buy during a pandemic? These buyers know
• Inventory shortage intensifies, and California leads the way
• Bidding wars erupt as home inventory shrinks 

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What is an Open House? Everything Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

In this article:

Whether you’ve ever considered buying a home or not, you’ve definitely heard the term “open house” before. However, I often work with home buyers and sellers who wonder, “what is an open house exactly, and how should I prepare for them?”

In this post, I’ll explain what an open house is and some tips on how you can make the most of the experience, no matter which side of the closing table you’re sitting on. Keep reading to learn more about how the open house process works.

What is an open house?

The concept of using an “open house” dates back to the 1910s . Open houses are an opportunity to market a home for sale to many interested buyers at once. Rather than having each person go through one at a time during private showings, open houses help streamline the process for both the seller and any potential buyers.

In today’s real estate market, listing agents host open houses for a few hours on the weekend (usually on Sundays) or in the evening to allow any prospective buyers to come and tour the home. Many real estate agents advise that home sellers host an open house the first weekend after their listing hits the market.

How sellers can make the most out of their open house

When you decide to put your home for sale, one of your best tools is the open house. It’s essential to do everything you can for the event to appeal to a wide variety of potential buyers. With that in mind, here’s a list of things to do before your open house to ensure you’re showing the home at its best.

Clean and declutter beforehand

One piece of advice that your listing agent will likely give you is to take the time to clean and declutter your home before the big day. Remember, your goal for the open house is to get buyers to be able to envision themselves living in the home. That can be hard to do if your personal belongings and knick-knacks are all around the place, so this is one occasion where you want your home to look pristine.

With that in mind, here’s a quick home selling checklist . First, take some time to put your personal items away before the open house. That includes family photos, children’s toys, valuables, etc. Try to find a place to store these items and any prepacked boxes without crowding up your closets, basement, or garage. Buyers will be looking at every nook and cranny of your home, so there’s no chance of hiding your stuff.

Next, give everything a good scrub down. Make sure to clean all floors and surfaces, giving some extra attention to the bathrooms and kitchen. Lastly, check that your curb appeal is at its best – that means a well-maintained lawn and a clear driveway/walkway.

Play up your home’s best features

As the current homeowner, the odds are that you have a solid understanding of your home and its best features. This is the time to ensure that they’re at the forefront of buyers’ minds. For example, if your home gets tons of natural light, leave the curtains wide open. If you have an amazing pool in your backyard, keep the back door accessible so that the pool can take center stage.

Plan on going out

Last but not least, do your best to leave during the open house. Simply put, it can be hard for buyers to express interest in a home if the seller is there looking over their shoulders. Instead, trust your real estate agent to handle this event and plan to spend some time away from the house.

How buyers can get the most out of an open house

For buyers, open houses can be an essential tool in your home search. Keep in mind that there is an etiquette that you’ll need to follow. Below are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind when you attend one of these events.

Sign in first

As soon as you step in the front door, your first task should be to find the listing agent. He or she will likely have a listing flyer with essential details about the home, as well as a sign-in sheet for you to fill out.

If you leave your contact information, the listing agent may contact you later to gauge your interest in the home. If you’re working with an agent , it’s best to leave their contact information instead of yours.

Take a tour

Once you’ve signed in, feel free to take a tour of the home. It’s a good idea to take notes about what you like and dislike about the home on the listing flyer or your phone. You’ll probably be touring dozens of houses during the hunt, so these notes will help you keep track of your thoughts.

Your goal should be to try and treat the seller’s home the way that you would want your own home to be treated. Keep these best practices in mind for the next time you’re at an open house:

• Offer to take off your shoes or put on shoe covers
• Avoid touching the seller’s belongings
• Keep a close eye on your children if they tag along

Ask questions

After you finish up the tour, find the real estate agent one more time. They are there to answer questions that you may have about the home, so feel free to ask away. While you’ll want to reserve any specific questions related to making an offer for your own agent, here are a few examples of questions to ask when buying a house:

• Why has the homeowner decided to sell?
• Are there any offers on the table?
• Can I get the seller’s property disclosure?

Tip: The seller’s disclosure is a legally required statement that discloses important or relevant information to a property buyer.

What is a broker open house?

While you’re researching open houses, you might come across the phrase “broker open house,” which is different than a typical open house. With broker open houses, listing agents will host an open house to showcase the home to other real estate agents and industry professionals.

In addition to taking a tour of the home, the other agents also provide feedback on the listing. This feedback might include an assessment of the price, condition, or other factors that may have an impact on potential home buyers’ opinion of the home. If you’re a home seller, your agent might host a broker open house to gauge interest in your home.

Any questions?

Have a question about open houses or just the home buying and selling process in general? Our team of licensed Home Advisors is here to help! Get in touch at [email protected] .

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Hosting and Planning an Open House

Real estate open houses and buying or selling a home often come hand in hand. While every house might not be a good fit for an open house, there are several great reasons to conduct at least one. Understanding if your listing is a good candidate for an open house is where you should start. Here are some basic questions you should ask yourself:

• Is your property spotless and ready to show?  If it is being lived in and things are scattered all over the place, it might not be a good fit.
• Is the home in a high-traffic area where you can expect people to stop and do a walkthrough?  If your listing is isolated, it might not bring in the kind of results you or your client are looking for.
• Is the listing appropriately priced?  Many times, highly sought-after homes can do extremely well with open houses, and produce over asking price offers.

While hosting a virtual or physical open house can be an intimidating feat, several positive opportunities can arise from doing so. Open houses can generate future leads by giving you more information for your database, they can help generate sales, and make home shopping more approachable to a casual buyer.

When people come and tour a home, oftentimes it evolves into casual conversation about buying or selling. If it’s a neighbor contemplating the idea, you can quickly share insight or set up an appointment to talk about their property. Because it is not as strict as a private showing, people can casually walk through the home without having to make a decision right then.

Tips for Realtors & Agents to Run Successful Open Houses

If you’ve committed to hosting an open house, there are several pointers we can provide to make sure that your experience is as productive as possible. Here are three open house tips that can  help you make the most out of the experience :

Tip #1:  Your open house should be exciting.

Know your customer, your budget, and who you’d like to attend and make it entertaining and engaging to them. If someone comes to the open house and all eyes are on them… it makes it a painful experience rather than something fun. Think about the vibe!

Tip #2:  Turn your open house into an experience.

Fill it with different food and fun options to make it something fun to do — beyond just touring a home. You might hire a food truck or run some contests where contestants can win something fun like a smartwatch.

Tip #3:  Send out invitations to the people you want to attend your open house.

These can be digital and through social media, or physical invitations that get mailed to their house. Video invitations can be used and are also highly effective!

If you’re looking at these tips and aren’t sure where you should even start, you might consult an experienced real estate coach. We offer a  free consultation  that will pair you with someone who can tell you what works and doesn’t work.

Preparing a Home for an Open House

After you’ve decided that the home in question is a good candidate for an open house, the next step is preparation! With a real estate open house, there is a lot that goes into preparation and even more when it comes to follow-up. Here are some quick and easy steps to make sure that your home is ready for the big day:

• Make sure to set your open house for an ideal day and time. You won’t want to host it on holidays or typically late nights. You’ll want to host it when your target buyer would be available (which is typically on the weekend).
• Confirm that your house is marketed online and looks great with high-quality photos. If someone tours the house and wants more information, you’ll want to have plenty of ways they can find more information online!
• Send out your invitations and post flyers around the community. Be sure to be clear about the day and time your open house will be conducted, and mention if there will be contests or other fun activities.
• Get your signs together (20-30) and ready to go. Do a drive-through of the neighborhood and plan in advance where you will want your signs.
• Walk through the house in advance and tell the owner how to ‘depersonalize’ it. This allows potential buyers to envision themselves in the space. If your client is unwilling to declutter things, this should be discovered before committing to an open house!
• Deep-clean and set expectations for how the house should look the day of the event. You can do some light touch-ups when you get there a few minutes early, but for the most part, the property should be show-ready.
• Make sure the yard and outdoor space are prim and proper. This might mean checking that the lawn is mowed and that there isn’t any trash or debris laying around.
• Prepare your food and drink options. Make sure that your open house is a party!

Getting People Interested in Your Open House

Real estate open houses are nothing without having the right people there. To attract them, there are several  open house tips  that you can use to maximize your coverage:

Tip #1: Use Video Invites

Send a quick video to relevant people in your database that invites them to this open house specifically.

Tip #2: Connect With Neighbors

Walking around the block and knocking on doors can help you secure additional traffic, potential leads, and should be considered an essential element in planting seeds for additional listings/sales. Having a face-to-face connection with nearby homeowners is critical.

Tip #3: Prepare on Social Media

Using emotional storytelling to do a step by step of how you’re preparing to host an open house can be incredible in getting buy-in from your followers. Be sure to share your contact information and that of the home!

Tip #4: Put Signs Everywhere

On the day of the open house, put signs everywhere. Don’t consider this an open house tip — consider it an essential. Ultimately, the point of an open house is to increase visibility and reach as many curious eyes as possible.

What to Do the Day of an Open House

You’ve put in the time and dedicated work to advertise and prepare your clients for the open house, and now the day has finally arrived. What are some last-minute things that you should do to take an open house from ok to great?

Think of your open house as a casual party. To set the tone, follow these open house tips:

• Open some windows (weather permitting).
• Turn on the lights in the house.
• Remove any pets.
• Put away personal documents and other private items.
• Give each room a quick check, hiding clutter.
• Take out the trash, and spritz some light fragrance to make the house smell good.
• Put out your sign.
• Get your mingle on!

Mistakes to Avoid with Open Houses

Preparing for an open house is the first step in making sure there are no mistakes. Demeanor and attitude can be everything as people are walking through the property — and it is typical to hear a lot of “just looking” responses as people come and tour the home. That’s ok!

Make sure to collect information from everyone that visits the home, and find an exciting way to do so! Perhaps there’s a raffle at the end of the event, where a prize is given out? You’ll need their contact information to be able to let them know if they’ve won the fabulous prize, right?

Finding a reason to be upbeat and cheery as people enter is critical as you’re not just selling a building and land — you’re selling the idea that this could be their next home where their family is spending time. You’re selling the idea of bright rooms, great memories with their loved ones, and a possible future.

As people leave, it’s a mistake not to get their feedback about the property. Ask people what they think about the property, and if they would consider buying the home. It doesn’t have to be high pressure, and expect most people to not want to commit — but sometimes you will get someone who is ready to write an offer. Don’t be afraid to ask for the sale.

Do Your Research Before Hosting an Open House

While we’ve dialed into a number of open house tips, it’s impossible to elaborate on every scenario you may face when you are hosting an open house. Only through continued training and experience will you truly be prepared to host your first open house with shining confidence.

Having an  experienced real estate agent as a mentor and coach  can help prepare you for the oddities that arise in different scenarios. For example, what if the weather is horrible on the day of a planned open house, should you reschedule or continue forward to host it? These are questions that a strong understanding of the industry can help you with.

Hosting open houses is a great step in putting the work in to achieve your dreams of financial freedom. Take your goal of hosting a successful open house and transform it into throwing a  MEGA open house!

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What Is a Broker’s Open House? A Smart Way to Market Your Home

If you’re trying to sell your home, it’s likely your  real estate agent  has suggested hosting a broker’s open house. But, what is that, exactly? Long story short, it’s an open house not for home buyers, but for their real estate agents  so they can determine whether your property is right for any of their clients. Here’s how to decide how to make the most of this marketing opportunity—and maybe snag a great buyer for your home.

How a broker’s open house is different

The biggest difference between a broker’s open house and a standard open house is who ends up on the invite list. While standard open houses are quite flexible about who can stop by—and might include anyone from potential buyers to curious neighbors—the guest list for a broker’s open house is strictly limited to other real estate agents (here’s how to find a real estate agent in your area) and industry professionals.

Time is another differing factor for this real estate open house. Usually, standard real estate open houses are hosted on Sunday afternoons, because the vast majority of potential buyers have weekends free for house hunting. On the other hand, because a broker’s open house caters to real estate agents—whose weekend schedules are often packed with home showings for clients—it is often held midweek, when agents are more likely to be available.

What happens at a broker’s open house?

At its core, this open house home-selling tactic is another tool that real estate agents use to help market and sell a property. In addition to internet marketing systems like the multiple listing service , it’s a method of debuting your listing to real estate professionals in your community. Once your agent schedules a broker’s open house, he will advertise it to his network of real estate industry contacts. Usually a free lunch is also offered as an incentive to show up.

On the day of this real estate event, the other real estate agents will be given a chance to tour your home, enjoy the free lunch while catching up with colleagues, and offer your agent their opinions on the property.

Typically, broker’s open houses are held within the first few days of a home being put on the real estate market in order to capitalize on the initial burst of interest that often accompanies new listings. But if there is ever a dramatic adjustment to how your home is being marketed—such as a significant drop in price—your agent may suggest hosting another broker’s open house to spread the news to potential buyers and clients.

The benefits of a broker’s open house for sellers

If you’re the type of seller who doesn’t relish the idea of opening your home to crowds of looky-loos who’ll tramp through your outdoor property, the garage, and all of your rooms—plus open every closet and medicine cabinet—then a professionally targeted broker’s open house may be appealing.

If all goes according to plan, the real estate agents who tour the house will go through their mental Rolodex to see if your property would be a good fit for any of their current buyers. If so, they’ll likely bring those possible buyers back for a private showing in the near future, especially if the broker’s open house was well-attended.

“It creates a sense of urgency”, says  Stephen Marchese  of Re/Max Central in Blue Bell, PA, “and, a higher-perceived value of the house.”

However, even if an offer doesn’t come directly from the broker’s open house, it can offer a valuable critique of how your home looks in comparison with other properties currently on the market in your area. Since real estate agents regularly have the chance to view a variety of homes, they have the ability to give your agent feedback on how your home is being perceived by other agents and homeowners—and how to better attract buyers and help it sell.

Tara Mastroeni, who comes from a family of real estate agents, writes about home and lifestyle topics. View more of her work on her website: www.tmrealestatewriter.com

Twitter Follow @TaraMastroeni

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Should You Attend an Open House Without Your Agent?

Here's some advice to keep in mind when attending open houses without your real estate agent.

Open houses can be a great way to casually search for homes when you are running errands or driving through town. If you happen to pass an interesting home holding an open house and you don’t have your agent with you, there is nothing wrong with stopping in to take a peek. Here are some best practices and tips to keep in mind if you’re going to an open house solo.

1. Share your agent’s information with the agent hosting the open house.

The seller will have an agent hosting the open house and guiding attendees throughout the property. Introduce yourself and let them know you are already represented, and share your agent’s information with them. Doing so will allow the agent hosting the open house to follow up with your agent later to see whether or not you will be making an offer or would like a private showing with just you and your agent.

2. Avoid sharing information with the agent that could affect future negotiations.

It’s ok for the seller’s agent to know you’re interested in the property, but you don’t want to give them the impression that you will be making an offer . Also avoid sharing other details like how much you can afford, why you are moving, how quickly you wish to buy or any other information that may affect your leverage negotiating.

3. Ask questions about the property.

Your agent can always ask the seller questions later, but if you have a question at the time, there’s no reason you can’t ask it of the seller’s agent . For example, you might want to know how old the roof is, or the last time the floors were refinished.

4. Take notes on what you like about the home and why.

This will help you identify what features and aspects you want to see in future homes going forward, and it will also help you recall what you loved about the home later. Also take notes on questions you’ll want to ask your agent later.

5. Ask to take photos or a video while you’re in the home.

This will help you jog your memory even more in the future, and will be helpful to show your agent when explaining what you liked or didn’t like about the house.

6. Bottom line.

If you see a house that you want to know more about, don’t let the fact that your agent isn’t with you stop you. Make it clear from the start you’re working with an agent, ask questions about the property and figure out what you liked or didn’t like. Once you connect with your agent again, you’ll have lots of valuable feedback to share with them that will improve your searching process going forward.

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Open House Vs. Campus Tour: Which One Should You Choose?

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Our admissions counselors would agree that more than one visit to schools you're interested is the way to go — but if your calendar is jam-packed, which type of visit should you choose?

Open Houses typically allow you to experience the college so much more than just a campus tour—and if you have the time, the more immersive your visit, the better. At Siena's Open Houses , you get to chat with a variety of students (not just your tour guide), see a full display of clubs and organizations , follow a personalized agenda based on your interests, meet with faculty, sit down with financial aid staff and enjoy a free lunch. (Want to reserve your spot at our Open House on October 9? Register now .)

Of course, if you're unable to make a school's Open House dates, you should still schedule a campus visit, whether that means a tour, a chat with a counselor or other event designed for prospective students (like Siena's Design Your Own Days ). While Open Houses may be the best option for you, admissions counselors like to see that you've at least made some sort of visit. And trust us, you will enjoy yourself... it's an exciting process!

If you're looking for a quick intro to college:

A tour is a good way to get a glimpse of the colleges on your list, before you narrow down your selections. Later on, when you have just a few in mind, that's when you'll want to dig in a little deeper with an Open House or similar event. Tours are quick; they usually last about an hour and are most often student-led, so even though you'll be in and out, you'll still get to hear about the college from someone who was in your shoes, be able to ask questions and see the highlights of the campus. 

Want to experience an Open House at Siena? Well, what do you know: we have one coming up on October 9. Reserve your spot now ! And while you're at it, revisit this blog post, Will Attending an Open House Give You an Edge?  Or, go ahead and schedule a campus tour. Our guides love meeting new people.

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• What Is a Broker's Open House?
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Broker's Open House: Meaning, Overview, and Benefits

James Chen, CMT is an expert trader, investment adviser, and global market strategist.

Charlene Rhinehart is a CPA , CFE, chair of an Illinois CPA Society committee, and has a degree in accounting and finance from DePaul University.

What Is a Broker's Open House?

A broker’s open house is a showing of a property for sale targeted to other real estate agents . A broker’s open house is not for home buyers but is held for agents to enable them to determine whether a property may be of interest to any of their clients. 

Key Takeaways

• A broker’s open house is the showing of a property to real estate agents and not homebuyers. 
• The broker’s open house is meant to help brokers determine whether the house would be of interest to their clients. 
• These open houses are generally held during the week as opposed to a standard open house, which is held on Sunday.

Understanding Broker’s Open Houses

The guest list for a broker's open house is limited to other real estate agents and industry professionals. Standard open houses usually are held on Sunday afternoons because most potential buyers have weekends free for house hunting. A broker's open house usually is held midweek when agents are more available than on weekends when they are occupied with showing homes to their clients.

A broker’s open house is among the tools that real estate agents use to market a home. In addition to internet marketing systems like Multiple Listing Service (MLS), it's a way to introduce a listing to industry professionals in a community.

Broker’s open houses can be used to evaluate how a home compares to other similar properties for sale in the same market. 

Once an agent schedules a broker's open house, they will advise their network of industry contacts. Usually, food and beverages are offered as an incentive to attend. On the day of the event, visiting agents tour the property with the selling agent, mingle with colleagues amid the refreshments, and discuss their opinions on the property.

Broker's open houses generally are scheduled within the first few days of a property being put on the market to capitalize on the initial interest in the new listing. And, if there is an eventual price drop or other change in marketing methods, a broker may hold another open house to spread the news.

Benefits of a Broker’s Open House

A professionally targeted broker's open can reduce the amount of traffic through the listing needed to market and sell the property. Agents who tour a property will consider whether it would be a good fit for any of their clients and then bring those clients to the property for a private showing in the following few days, especially if the broker's open is well attended.

Real estate agents hold broker’s opens to generate interest, excitement, and demand for a property to be able to sell it for the best possible price. Even if an offer does not result directly from the broker's open, it can be valuable as an opportunity to evaluate how a home compares to other similar properties for sale in the same market. The host realtor can collect feedback from the visiting realtors on the property’s perceived advantages and disadvantages and its pricing.

What Is the Best Time for a Broker Open House?

The best time to hold a broker's open house is weekday afternoons because agents are likely to be available but not working directly with their clients. Conversely, the best time to hold a regular open house is typically the weekend.

What Is a Broker Caravan?

A broker caravan, another type of broker preview, is an event where a group of real estate agents tours multiple listings on the market on the same day.

How Much Should I Spend on a Broker Open House?

How much you spend on a broker open house will depend on your real estate marketing budget, as well as the property type and how frequently you host open houses. Naturally, you'll tend to spend more if your target market is luxury real estate.

A broker open house, or broker preview, is an event where a real estate agent invites other real estate professionals to tour their listings. Broker open houses are not available to the general public or potential buyers. However, the agents or brokers attending the event may have interested buyers that they can contact after the event. Thus, a broker open house is an excellent way to increase exposure, generate interest, and potentially sell a home quickly.

Fit Small Business. " What Is a Broker Open House & How to Host a Successful One ."

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2024 Bucks County Designer House features historic Hilltown farm. Tours start Sunday

The 48 th Bucks County Designer House & Gardens tour opens Sunday.

Presented by the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown, this year’s designer house features Sycamore Lane Farm, a historic 45-acre property in Hilltown where more than 30 local designers and landscapers were tasked with transforming the home.

The designer house is the largest fundraiser of the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown, which works to benefit Doylestown Health and "enhance the health and welfare of Central Bucks County and surrounding communities."

Owned by Scott and Gina Rubel, the home has been in the Rubel family for more than 60 years starting a generation earlier with Scott’s parents, Walter and Gayle.

Sycamore Lane Farm dates back to 1900 and carries a storied history, which includes being home to American illustrator John Falter, who is best known for designing and illustrating 129 Saturday Evening Post covers.  

Designers and landscapers transformed 35 design spaces and 14 landscape areas throughout the property. Public tours of the home and special events will take place from April 28 – May 26.

Advance tickets are available for $40 at buckscountydesignerhouse.org through April 27. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $45.

While touring the property, visitors are invited to shop for designer décor in a market set up inside the bank barn. In addition, an on-site café will offer light fare, including sandwiches and soup, as well as wine from Bishop Estate Winery and a signature ice cream from Owowcow Creamery specially crafted for the event.

For more information, visit: buckscountydesignerhouse.org .

Brunch in Bucks County: Craving brunch this weekend? Have your pick from one of these 27 Bucks County restaurants

Reporter Michele Haddon covers local news, small business, economic development, community revitalization, art and culture for The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times at PhillyBurbs.com. Please considering supporting local journalism with a subscription.

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Principals tour vla in open house.

TOUR — Edison Local High School Assistant Principal Josh Leasure, from left, Harrison Central Elementary Assistant Principal Donnie Madzia and Edison High School Principal Matt Morrison, listen to a presentation from Harry Vande Velde, owner of the Springboard series of modules during an open house tour of the Virtual Learning Academy. Brant Starkey, VLA staff member, observes from the back. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Visiting administrators from several school districts got a look at the latest tools available from the Jefferson County Educational Service Center’s Virtual Learning Academy during an open house and tour.

On March 7, the administrators were welcomed to the VLA office, located on the lower floor of the R. Larry George Training Annex building located near the JCESC headquarters on 2023 Sunset Blvd. This followed a principals’ collaborative meeting on the upper floor.

VLA Director Mark Masloski showed the visiting administrators several new courses and modules and let staff speak about the potential benefits to their students.

Brant Starkey, VLA staff member, spoke about a Current Events course, offered through the VLA’s partnership with PBS Learning Media and NewsDepth and aimed at encouraging teenage students to take a view of life beyond the immediate and present.

“This kind of forces them to see that there’s other things that are going on in the world,” he said, adding that the course is filed under social studies and includes quizzes and videos. “Every week there’s a new episode and we upload the questions and answers.”

Harry Vande Velde, owner of the Springboard series of modules, showed them the Play of the Day module. Vande Velde said the module is useful during homeroom or intervention periods and guides students through daily exercises about motivational quotes. The module includes biographies of the people who made the quotes, as well as ways the quotes can be applicable to goal setting.

“Administrators love to know that there’s options available for them to be proactive in their building to meet the needs of all students and faculty,” he said afterward.

Elizabeth Nelson, a graduate student from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and an intern with the VLA program, spoke about the use of gaming in education, pointing out the use of video games to spark critical thinking in students and encourage them to mediate on their emotions while playing. She said the exercises include designing their own character based on a personality test. Masloski said the program was funded through a socioemotional learning grant.

Noah Fuller, another graduate student from the university and a graduate placement with the VLA program, shared information about a conservation science course for grades nine through 12 to launch next school year. He said the elective course will focus on the North American model of wildlife management including hunting, fishing, trapping, boating and shooting sports.

“It covers how to do these activities and ways to responsibly do them in the context of the environment,” he said. “It also covers a lot of related skills.”

Masloski said a quarter credit can be earned on different activities like fishing and boating. He said options include virtual labs and offline activity labs.

“If it’s approved through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce for the third Science credit, I think that benefits everybody,” he said.

Masloski said VLA has an abundance of accessible resources.

“Teachers can use as part of the curriculum or the curriculum itself,” he said.

He related some of the applications.

“All you guys have students that’s in VLA that’s not in your building for one reason or another. They’re using our courses,” he said. “I would look at VLA courses as a textbook, workbook, video guide, student guide for your teachers.”

Masloski said his staff are available to visit schools to assist in using VLA tools.

Harrison Central Elementary Assistant Principal Donnie Madzia commented afterward.

“It was very interesting. We’ve just got to make sure we get it out to our staff back at Harrison to be able to utilize this material. I think it’s a good thing, we just need to know a little more about it,” he said.

He said the current events module has potential. He added his district frequently works with the VLA and receives weekly informational e-mails.

“Each one of these things has a nice option our teachers could use up at Harrison,” he said.

Edison Local High School Assistant Principal Josh Leasure was impressed by the Play of the Day module.

“I think that would be really good for the kids,” he said. Leasure said he would also share some information about gaming courses with district staff.

He said the VLA has been a valuable resource.

“We use VLA for what we call direct supervision. In-school suspension,” he said.

Toronto Junior/Senior High School Principal Betsy Jones also was interested.

“We currently use VLA right now in our school mostly for credit recovery, but we do like some of the new offerings that they give our kids. I appreciate the current events and I appreciate the Play of the Day, so we might be looking into these things.”

The Virtual Learning Academy is an online curriculum provider offering more than 300 core and elective courses to students in grades K-12. VLA serves all students including those who are credit deficient, home bound, home schooled, etc. JCESC VLA can serve as a stand-alone program or implemented within already existing curriculum. To learn more about the JCESC Virtual Learning Academy, visit the website at jcesc.k12.oh.us/vla.aspx, contact VLA staff at [email protected] or call (740) 283-3347, extension 100.

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Wisconsin's only sturgeon hatchery will host a spawning program and open house May 4 in Wild Rose

Attendees can also tour the original 1908 hatchery and explore the modern operation..

The Department of Natural Resources will host a spring open house May 4 at  Wild Rose Fish Hatchery Education Center  in Wild Rose, the only state hatchery that raises lake sturgeon.

The free event will give attendees a chance to celebrate the annual spring sturgeon spawn and learn more about Wisconsin’s oldest fish species, according to the agency.

The Wild Rose hatchery is a cool- and cold-water facility that raises brown and rainbow trout, coho and chinook salmon, Great Lakes spotted muskellunge, walleye and lake sturgeon. As such, it's one of three state hatcheries that produces both cool- and cold-water fish.

More: Outdoors calendar

To help attendees learn more about game fish and angling, the open house will include games and educational activities, including a learn-to-cast station, fish identification activities and the chance to “swim” upriver like sturgeon on their migratory journey to spawning areas.

Other hands-on activities include printing fish on tote bags, a fly-tying workshop, learning how to build a spinner and making a clay sturgeon.

Attendees can also tour the original 1908 hatchery and explore the modern operation. The Education Center will provide guided tours from DNR staff every 45 minutes, with the last tour departing at 2 p.m.

The event will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4.

Wild Rose hatchery is located at N5871 State Road 22, Wild Rose.

Explore Gothic revivalist architecture of the Green-Meldrim House and St John’s Church

May brings warmer weather and a special double tour to Savannah. Tucked into the tree-covered west side of Madison Square is St. John’s Church and the Green-Meldrim House. Both are independently open for tours, but on Wednesdays in May, visitors will be able to get a special tour of both.

The tour will guide people through both Gothic Revivalist buildings with special attention to the unique architectural details, the history, and the symbolism, followed by refreshments of cheese straws, Benne wafer cookies, lemon blueberry poundcake, and pimento cheese sandwiches.

This is a step in a new direction for the Green-Meldrim House. The historic home was purchased by St. John’s Church in 1943, and while it is used as a parish house and rectory, it was eventually opened as a house museum.

Jamie Credle, who is no stranger to Savannah’s historic house museums, having previously worked with the Davenport House, took over as executive director in July of last year. A few months later, the house museum reached nonprofit status, and Sherry Holtzclaw stepped up as president of the Keepers of Historic Green-Meldrim House.

“I'd say [the idea to start the nonprofit] came out of the vestry, which is the group that runs the church,” said Holtzclaw. “Seeing that our volunteer base was shrinking as people were getting older, more young people are working and don't have the time to volunteer, and it's a lot of upkeep to keep this house heated and cooled and in repair, as well as to lead tours, it was just getting to be a big job that we needed some help with.”

Holtzclaw said she has been a member of St. John’s for around 30 years and has volunteered at the house for approximately 20 years in various roles.

Both Holtzclaw and Credle are excited to expand resident and visitor appreciation of the Green-Meldrim House and St. John’s Church as well as what all the historic house museum can offer.

“It's an evolutionary process,” said Credle. “The Keepers have a wealth of understanding of collections and research, but I think that the whole point was to get in lockstep together with what we think the future can be.”

New docents will be leading the tours

After several months of recruiting and training new docents to build upon the core of docents, Credle said it was the perfect time to try a new tour.

“One of our goals for the year is to be open five days a week. We're open four now, but we also wanted to do something imaginative or different than your typical tour. A lot of people would love to see the church, and we've got our docents so this combo tour seemed like filling a need.”

Credle said she hopes the 75-minute tour will leave people with a new appreciation for Madison Square and gothic revival architecture.

“Though it seems sort of old to us, this was cutting-edge architecturally. We talk about mid-century modern in the 20th century. Well, this was mid-century modern in the 19th century. It was a stunning thing to see both this house and the church together, two different architects, two different functions for spaces, but a cutting-edge square here.”

“Plus, they were being built at the same time,” said Holtzclaw. “Charles Green [the original owner of the Green-Meldrim House] knew some of the people that were in on the planning of the church. So there probably was some interaction and collaboration when all this was happening.”

While the house is stunning from its bright pink exterior to the black, white, and wood-grained interior, Holtzclaw said the church is equally impressive.

“One of the first things you notice when you go in the church, besides the architecture and the steep ceiling, is the stained-glass windows and how beautiful they are. They’re very old. They're from 1886 and made in England. They feature prominently in the church. Also, up at the altar, there are some very interesting pieces up there. We'll talk about not only the architecture but some of the symbolism.”

It’s important to note that, for anyone with mobility issues, there is a ramp into the church, but there is no ramp or elevator in the Green-Meldrim House.

For those who fall in love with the tours and want to help in the future, Credle said they are looking for more docents, front-door greeters, and gift shop volunteers. The museum also has a youth guide program.

“We're training teenagers this summer to be tour guides. It’s a wonderful skill. It could be after their daytime job if they have that.”

Anyone interested need only reach out to the museum through its website.

Tours are each Wednesday in May starting on the first and ending on the 29th. There will be two tours each afternoon at 1 and 2:30 p.m. except on May 8th at 2 and 4 p.m. Entry is $25 per person and will need to be purchased prior to the event at GreenMeldrimHouse.org.

More new things are on the way for the Green-Meldrim House. Credle said the museum is also planning for new tours and a lecture series in the fall. It will be interesting to see the evolution of the museum with the Keepers of Historic Green-Meldrim House and the museum’s new executive director at the helm.

If You Go >>

What: Green-Meldrim House and St. John’s Church combo tours

When: May 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29

Where: 14 W. Macon St.

Tickets: $25

Info: GreenMeldrimHouse.org

Auction House Food and Drink Hall opens: What to know

ASHEVILLE - Fletcher's highly anticipated food oasis and watering hole is now open.

On April 25, Auction House Food & Drink Hall, by KO Restaurant Group, opened at 29 Fanning Bridge Road in Fletcher.

KO Restaurant Group’s Sarah and Paul Klaassen and Michael Olbrantz designed Auction House as a two-story eatery and drinkery with five original counter service concepts Auction House Wine Bar (or A.H. Wine Bar), KO Burger, Fish Camp 25, Mercado Cantina and Blue Collar Bourbon.

“You get bored doing the same thing every day but if you have multiple things going on, there’s always some fun you can have,” Sarah Klaassen told Citizen Times . “Today we’re going to have fun with these tacos, tomorrow we’re going to focus on the smash burgers.”

On the ground level, order casual bites like KO Burger’s retro-style griddle burgers, all-beef hotdogs and battered fries, and Fish Camp 25’s fish and chips, hushpuppies and po-boys.

Unwind at Blue Collar Bourbon, a full-service bar pouring cocktails, draft beer and a wide selection of bourbons including premium labels.

On the second floor, diners will find Yucatan-inspired fare from tacos to tortas and a full-service bar specializing in high-end tequila and mezcal.

Auction House Wine Bar’s menu features an extensive list of wines, frosé ― frozen rosé ― and mimosas.

Auction House, named after the specialty auction house that formerly inhabited the historic building, constructed in 1948, offers 6,600 square feet of interior space with ADA-compliant ramps to both level and on-site parking.

A beer garden extends the guest experience with games, ample seating and an outdoor stage for concerts, movie screenings and more.

The first live music performance is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. May 2. Music is planned to occur Thursday-Sunday, weekly.

Auction House Food Hall

Where: 29 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher.

Hours: 11-9 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday.

11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.

Info: For more, auctionhousefoodhall.com and follow on Facebook follow on social media @auctionhousefoodhall .

Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times .

Red Square & Moscow City Tour

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Description

Highlights:.

• Experience medieval Kitay Gorod (China town).
• Wander picturesque Red Square and Alexander Garden.
• Explore grand Christ the Savior Cathedral on our Red Square tour.
• Breathtaking panoramic views from Patriarch bridge.
• Enjoy a hearty lunch on the large open verandah and marvel at the stunning views of the Kremlin.
• Learn about Russian culture from the local through relaxed cultural discussions.

Tour Itinerary:

Red square:.

Russia and Moscow are synonymous with Red Square and the Kremlin and that's hardly surprising as you'll find these places absolutely stunning!

• - Walk-through the Resurrection Gate and don’t forget to flip a coin so you’ll be sure to come back one day!
• - Visit the world's famous Kazan Cathedral .
• - See the State Department Store (GUM), once the Upper Trading Stalls, which were built over a century ago and still operating!
• - Admire the lovely St. Basil's Cathedral! The French diplomat Marquis de Custine commented that it combined "the scales of a golden fish, the enamelled skin of a serpent, the changeful hues of the lizard, the glossy rose and azure of the pigeon's neck" and wondered at "the men who go to worship God in this box of confectionery work".
• - Walk by Lobnoye Mesto (literally meaning "Execution Place", or "Place of Skulls"), once Ivan the Terrible's stage for religious ceremonies, speeches, and important events.
• - Entering the Alexander Garden , you’ll take in spectacular views of Russian architecture from ancient to Soviet times, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with an eternal flame. Watch Changing of the Guard Ceremony every hour in summer and every half an hour in winter.

Kitai-gorod:

Stroll along medieval Kitai-gorod with its strong ancient Russia feel, known for its bohemian lifestyle, markets and arts.

• - Nikolskaya Street. Here you will find the Russia's first publishing house, the second oldest monastery, and Ferryn Pharmacy, known as the number one pharmacy back in Soviet times and famous for its Empire-style architecture.
• - Ilinka Street. The financial street of the Kitaigorod (China Town) district, where you’ll find the Gostiny Dvor (Merchant’s Yard), which is now a showroom for Ferraris and Maseratis. The street was designed in the 1790s by Catherine the Great.
• - Varvarka street. The oldest street in Moscow, which dates back to the 14th century, and still has remnants of early Muscovite architecture, such as the Old English Court and the Palace of the Romanov’s.
• - Kamergersky Lane. Only a small road of about 250 meters, it is home to some of the oldest artifacts of the city, as each building holds a fascinating story. Some of Russia's most famous writers, poets, and composers from as far back as the Golden Age of Russian culture, have lived or worked on this lane.

Historic City Center

Walk the historical old center of Moscow with its cool local vibe, including the main Tverskaya street , and indulge in desserts in the first grocery “Eliseev's store” , housed in an 18th century neoclassical building, famous for its baroque interior and decoration.

From our tour. Impressions of our American tourist:

At 3:30, as energy flagged, lunch was on the agenda at a Ukrainian restaurant.  Just in time!  We asked our guide to order for us.  We all had the same thing....borscht (the Ukrainian version has beans and more tomatoes than the Russian version, which has more beets and includes beef). 

The special high bread served is called galushki.  Our main course was golubtsy...a dish of minced meat rolled in braised cabbage leaves.  Both dishes called for optional sour cream as a topping....of course, yes, please....I recommend it. 

Full, satisfied, and completely refreshed, it was off to Red Square and St. Basil's and GUM department store.  Red Square is not so named because of the color of the brick walls of the Kremlin.  Rather the word for 'red' and the word for 'beautiful' are similar in pronunciation....and, there you have it. 

As we made the turn by the National Museum in front of which is the mounted sculpture of the "Marshall of Victory," Giorgy Zhukov from WWII and caught our first view of St. Basil's, my friend and I simultaneously emitted "Oooohhhhh!"  There it was....the iconic onion domes of St. Basil's!  Hooray....it was open until 7....we had about 30 minutes and were allowed in, AND we could take photos with no flash. 

Now, I can give you a taste of what we saw in the other cathedrals in Cathedral Square.  What we learned is that St. Vasily and St. Basil are one in the same....Russian/English.  He was a common man who wandered Moscow unclothed and barefoot.  But, all, even Ivan the Terrible, heeded his opinions derived from his visions.  Ivan had this cathedral built over his tomb. 

As we exited and took photos up close of the onion domes, Inna presented us with chocolate (how did she know we were ready for another energy boost, and we each got a big piece of chocolate.  The baby's name pictured on the wrapper of this famous Russian chocolate is Alyonka....the Russian Gerber baby, don't you think? 

One could wear out the credit card in GUM's (capitalized because it is actually a government abbreviation), but the 'kitty' and my credit card stayed in my pocket as we strolled through the glass-topped arcade. 

We then strolled through some of Moscow's lovely pedestrian streets; paused to listen as a wonderful quartet performed Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" in an underground passage to cross the busy street (hooray!....we DID have our 'classical concert' experience after all; a request Alina tried in vain to fill because none was scheduled those days), saw the Bolshoi, which means 'big' (my friend has yet to recover that their performance schedule did not coincide with our cruise), saw the Central Telegraph Building, dating from the 1930's, and made our way to the Ritz-Carlton to see the night view of Moscow from the rooftop bar, called O2. 

There were fleece blankets to wrap yourself in....yes, it got that cold when the sun set.  We each ordered something hot to drink...the ginger, mint, lemon tea served to me in a parfait glass (for 600 rubles...about $9....you pay for the view here!) was delightful and hit the spot perfectly.  It was time to call it a night....

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting city tour, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time.

*This Moscow city tour can be modified to meet your requirements.

Write your review

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Republicans erupt into open warfare over Ukraine aid package vote

As the speaker of the House finally allows a vote to go forward on aid, GOP infighting is tearing apart the party

Republican divisions over military support for Ukraine were long simmering. Now, before Saturday’s extraordinary vote in Congress on a foreign aid package, they have erupted into open warfare – a conflict that the vote itself is unlikely to contain.

Mike Johnson, the speaker of the House of Representatives , triggered an all-out split in his own party’s ranks last week by finally agreeing, after months of stalling, to a floor vote on the $95bn foreign aid programme. Passed by the Senate in February, it contained about $60bn for Ukraine, $14bn for Israel, and a smaller amount for Taiwan and other Pacific allies.

Johnson’s decision to finally bring the package to a vote made a highly symbolic break with the GOP’s far right, the people who engineered his elevation to the speaker’s chair last October after toppling his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy. These Republican rightwingers – reflecting the affinity of their political idol, the former president Donald Trump, for the Russian president, Vladimir Putin – have grown openly hostile to Ukraine’s cause.

Speaking from the Capitol on Thursday, Johnson made no apologies for antagonising them, telling C-SPAN that providing aid to Ukraine was “critically important” and “the right thing” despite the potential power of his opponents to bring him down in yet another internal party coup.

“I really believe the intel and the briefings that we’ve gotten,” Johnson said. “I believe that Xi and Vladimir Putin and Iran really are an axis of evil. I think they are in coordination on this. I think that Vladimir Putin would continue to march through Europe .

“I am going to allow an opportunity for every single member of the House to vote their conscience and their will,” he said, adding: “I’m willing to take a personal risk for that, because we have to do the right thing. And history will judge us.”

The backlash was fierce. Marjorie Taylor Greene , the outspoken Georgia representative, immediately filed a resolution demanding Johnson’s removal, called the bill a “sham”.

“I don’t care if the speaker’s office becomes a revolving door,” Taylor Greene told Steve Bannon, Trump’s former adviser, on his War Room channel. “The days are over of the old Republican party that wants to fund foreign wars and murder people in foreign lands while they stab the American people in their face and refuse to protect Americans and fix our problems.”

Branded “Moscow Marjorie” by former Republican representative Ken Buck, who said she gets her talking points from the Kremlin, Taylor Greene went further by accusing Ukraine of waging “a war against Christianity”.

“The Ukrainian government is attacking Christians, the Ukrainian government is executing priests,” she said. “Russia is not doing that. They’re not attacking Christianity.” (In fact, according to figures from the Institute for Religious Freedom , a Ukrainian group, at least 630 religious sites had been damaged or looted in Russia’s invasion by December last year.)

Taylor Greene’s move to oust Johnson was supported by the Kentucky representative Thomas Massie, who also backed an ultimately successful attempt to remove a previous Republican speaker, John Boehner, nearly a decade ago.

Other Republican rightwingers are unhappy, too, though they have so far stopped short of moving to topple the speaker. That might be because Trump, the party’s presumptive nominee for president who is currently on trial on fraud charges relating to paying hush money to keep American voters from learning about his alleged affair with an adult film star, has backed Johnson.

So have all four Republican chairs of the key House committees – foreign affairs, intelligence, armed services and appropriations - a position driven by the sheer urgency of Ukraine’s predicament.

More than two years into the war, Ukraine has a catalogue of absolutely critical military requirements , including artillery shells, air defence missiles and deep-strike rockets.

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Johnson has tried to dilute the internal opposition by unbundling the aid package into four separate bills, with each to be voted on individually – apparently in the hope that the chance to vote against the bits they dislike (such as Ukraine) while backing causes more palatable to them (such as Israel) will placate the implacable.

Although the Republicans’ house majority is now whittled down to two, Democrats – who mostly back funding Ukraine’s defense against the Russian invasion – have pledged to support Johnson’s bills. That could mean Ukraine would finally get the US assistance it has so fervently hoped for: roughly $60bn in assistance (much of which would be to replenish weapons stocks provided by the US), including $10bn to be given in the form of a loan, a concept Trump has apparently endorsed.

Predictably, Democrats are gloating. Jared Moskowitz, a Democratic representative from Florida, moved an amendment to the Ukraine bill calling for Taylor Greene’s office in the Cannon building to be renamed the Neville Chamberlain room – in homage to the pre-second world war British prime minister notorious for appeasing Hitler – and asking she be appointed “Vladimir Putin’s special envoy to the US”.

While Saturday’s vote may settle the Ukraine issue for now, Republican divisions will probably rumble on, according to Kyle Kondik of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.

“The GOP split on Ukraine would remain, but the need for action (or inaction) in the short term would be solved,” he said.

“Johnson may be well-positioned to survive as speaker because Democrats may provide him some votes. But the GOP conference is so divided (and so small in its majority) that I’m sure something else will come along to cause more turbulence.”

• Republicans
• House of Representatives
• Marjorie Taylor Greene
• Mike Johnson
• US Congress
• US politics

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What a TikTok Ban Would Mean for the U.S. Defense of an Open Internet

Global digital rights advocates are watching to see if Congress acts, worried that other countries could follow suit with app bans of their own.

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By David McCabe

Reporting from Washington

For decades, the United States has fashioned itself the champion of an open internet , arguing that the web should be largely unregulated and that digital data should flow around the globe unhindered by borders. The government has argued against internet censorship abroad and even funded software that lets people in autocratic states get around online content restrictions.

Now that reputation could take a hit.

The House indicated on Wednesday that it would again try to advance legislation to force a sale of TikTok by its Chinese owner, ByteDance, or institute a first-of-its-kind ban on the app in the United States, this time including it in a package of legislation that is expected to be considered with aid Israel and Ukraine . The language in the package is similar to a stand-alone measure that passed the House last month with bipartisan support, the most significant step yet by Congress to force the sale of a foreign-owned app of TikTok’s size. But it would extend the deadline for ByteDance to sell the app.

Digital rights groups and others around the world have taken notice — and raised the question of how the moves against TikTok contradict the United States’ arguments in favor of an open internet.

A Russian opposition blogger, Aleksandr Gorbunov , posted on social media last month that Russia could use the move to shut down services like YouTube. And digital rights advocates globally are expressing fears of a ripple effect, with the United States providing cover for authoritarians who want to censor the internet.

In March, the Chinese government, which controls its country’s internet, said America had “one way of saying and doing things about the United States, and another way of saying and doing things about other countries,” citing the TikTok legislation.

By targeting TikTok — a social media platform with 170 million U.S. users, many of them sharing dance moves, opining on politics and selling wares — the United States may undermine its decades-long efforts to promote an open and free internet governed by international organizations, not individual countries, digital rights advocates said. The web in recent years has fragmented as authoritarian governments in China and Russia increasingly encroach on their citizens’ internet access.

“It would diminish the U.S.’s standing in promoting internet freedom,” said Juan Carlos Lara, the executive director of Derechos Digitales, a Latin American digital rights group based in Chile. “It would definitely not bolster its own case for promoting a free and secure, stable and interoperable internet.”

The American vision for an open internet dates to the 1990s when President Bill Clinton said the internet should be a “global free-trade zone.” Administrations — including the Biden White House — have struck deals to keep data flowing between the United States and Europe. And the State Department has condemned censorship, including Nigeria’s and Pakistan’s restrictions on access to Twitter, now known as X.

Now, fueled by concerns that TikTok could send data to the Chinese government or act as a conduit for Beijing’s propaganda, the legislation that passed the House last month would require ByteDance to sell TikTok to a buyer that satisfied the U.S. government within six months. If the company doesn’t find a buyer, app stores must stop offering the app for downloads, and web hosting companies couldn’t host TikTok.

The passage of the House bill in March, currently under consideration in the Senate, prompted global angst.

Mr. Gorbunov, a Russian blogger who goes by the handle Stalin_Gulag, wrote on the social media service Telegram in March that a TikTok ban could result in further censorship in his country.

“I don’t think the obvious thing needs to be stated out loud, which is that when Russia blocks YouTube, they’ll justify it with precisely this decision of the United States,” Mr. Gorbunov said.

Mishi Choudhary, a lawyer who founded the New Delhi-based Software Freedom Law Center, said the Indian government would also use a U.S. ban to justify further crackdowns. It has already engaged in internet shutdowns, she said, and it banned TikTok in 2020 over border conflicts with China.

“This gives them good reason to find confidence in their past actions, but also emboldens them to take similar future actions,” she said in an interview.

Mr. Lara of Derechos Digitales noted that countries like Venezuela and Nicaragua had already passed laws that gave the government more control over online content. He said increased government control of the internet was a “tempting idea” that “really risks materializing if such a thing is seen in places like the U.S.”

A forced sale or ban of TikTok could also make it harder for the American government to ask other countries to embrace an internet governed by international organizations, digital rights experts said.

China in particular has built a system of internet censorship, arguing that individual countries should have more power to set the rules of the web. Beijing blocks access to products made by American tech giants, including Google’s search engine, Facebook and Instagram.

Other countries have followed Beijing’s lead. Russia blocks online content. India and Turkey have measures enabling them to demand that social media posts be removed.

Patrick Toomey, the deputy director of the National Security Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, said that if the TikTok measure became law, the “hypocrisy would be inescapable and the dividends to China enormous.” The A.C.L.U. has been one of the most prominent groups opposing the TikTok legislation.

Any U.S. TikTok ban or sale would require officials to explain why the measure was different from efforts in other countries to restrict the flow of digital data inside their borders, said Peter Harrell, previously the National Security Council’s senior director for international economics and competitiveness in the Biden administration. The United States has pushed for data to be able to flow between countries unhindered.

“I’m in favor of action on TikTok here, but we are going to have to scramble to play catch-up on the diplomatic front,” Mr. Harrell said.

Still, other supporters of the legislation rejected the notion that action against TikTok would undermine the United States on internet policy.

An aide to the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, who was not authorized to discuss the legislation publicly, argued that the measure would benefit internet freedom by reducing the risk of China’s influence over TikTok.

In a statement, a spokesman for the National Security Council said the United States “remains committed to an open internet.”

“There is no tension between that commitment and our responsibility to safeguard our national security by preventing the specific threats posed by certain adversaries being able to put at risk Americans’ personal information and manipulate Americans’ discourse,” the spokesman added.

Anton Troianovski contributed reporting from Berlin, and Meaghan Tobin from Taipei, Taiwan.

David McCabe covers tech policy. He joined The Times from Axios in 2019. More about David McCabe