Open House Checklist (Print Materials & Signage Guide)

Why Printed Materials Still Matter for Open Houses

Even in a digital-first real estate market, printed materials remain essential for successful open houses. Signs, flyers, and brochures create visibility, provide property information, and help capture leads while visitors are on-site.

Signs create visibility and curb appeal 
Open house signs are often the first marketing touchpoint buyers see. A well-placed yard sign with clear branding immediately signals that the property is available to tour and helps the listing stand out from nearby homes.

Professional signage also reinforces credibility. Clean, high-quality signs suggest organization and professionalism, which can reflect positively on both the property and the agent.

Directional signage helps buyers find the property easily 
Directional signs guide visitors from nearby streets and intersections directly to the open house. Without them, potential buyers may miss the property entirely or struggle to navigate unfamiliar neighborhoods.

Using multiple directional signs with clear arrows and bold text helps ensure that interested buyers arrive without confusion.

Printed flyers allow visitors to take property information home 
Buyers rarely make decisions during the open house itself. Flyers and feature sheets allow them to review property details later, compare homes, and share information with family members.

A well-designed flyer typically includes photos, property highlights, pricing, and agent contact information.

Sign-in sheets and business cards help capture and nurture leads 
Open houses are valuable opportunities to build a pipeline of future clients. A simple sign-in sheet allows agents to collect visitor names, email addresses, and phone numbers for follow-up.

Business cards make it easy for visitors to save contact information or reach out later with questions.

Professional materials reinforce agent branding and credibility 
Consistent branding across signs, flyers, and brochures creates a cohesive and polished presentation. Matching colors, fonts, and logos help reinforce brand recognition and make your marketing materials more memorable.

 

Open House Sign Checklist

Signs are the most important printed materials for attracting visitors. They increase visibility, guide traffic, and clearly mark the property’s location.

Yard Signs (Primary Listing Sign)
The yard sign is the main identifier for the property during the open house. It should be clearly visible from the street and positioned directly in front of the listing.

Common yard sign sizes include:

• 18″ × 24″ – the most common size for residential listings
• 24″ × 36″ – larger format for increased visibility

Typical materials include corrugated plastic or aluminum panels mounted on:

• H-stakes
• Metal frames
• A-frame sign stands

Choose bold colors, large text, and high contrast so the sign remains readable from passing vehicles.

Directional Signs
Directional signs help guide buyers through nearby streets and intersections toward the property.

Most open houses benefit from 5 to 15 directional signs, depending on neighborhood layout and traffic flow.

Place directional signs at:

• Neighborhood entrances
• Major intersections
• Turns leading toward the property

Each sign should include clear arrows and the words “Open House” in large, easy-to-read text. Position signs where drivers can safely see them without blocking sidewalks or traffic.

Rider Signs (Date and Time)
Rider signs attach above or below your main yard sign and display key open house details.

Common rider text includes:

• OPEN HOUSE
• Saturday 1–4 PM
• Sunday 12–3 PM

These small add-ons immediately inform passerbys and prospective buyers that the property is currently available for viewing.

 

Open House Flyer Checklist

Flyers are one of the most useful materials to hand out during an open house. They give visitors a quick summary of the property and allow them to review details after the visit.

Common flyer sizes include:

• 8.5″ × 11″ – standard listing flyer
• 11″ × 17″ – larger feature sheet for higher-end properties

A strong open house flyer should include:

• Property address
• Listing price
• High-quality photos
• Bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage
• Key features or recent upgrades
• Neighborhood highlights
• Agent contact information
• A QR code linking to the online listing

For paper stock, many agents choose 100 lb gloss or matte text to provide a professional finish while remaining affordable for larger print quantities.

Most open houses require 25 to 50 flyers, depending on expected visitor traffic.

 

Brochures and Listing Feature Sheets

For higher-value properties or listings with more details, brochures can provide a more comprehensive presentation than standard flyers.

Common formats include:

Trifold brochures
Trifold brochures are compact and easy to distribute. They allow agents to organize property information into clear sections such as photos, property features, and neighborhood highlights.

Bi-fold brochures
Bi-fold brochures offer larger panels for images and layout flexibility. They work well when showcasing large photography or detailed floor plans.

Multi-page listing packets
Luxury listings or unique homes may benefit from multi-page packets that include:

• Expanded photo galleries
• Floor plans
• Renovation history
• Neighborhood amenities
• Lifestyle highlights

Using thicker paper stock or coated finishes can further elevate presentation for premium properties.

 

Additional Print Materials to Bring

Beyond signs and flyers, several additional print materials can help maximize the effectiveness of your open house.

Business cards
Business cards allow visitors to easily save your contact information for follow-up questions or future listings.

Sign-in sheets
A sign-in sheet helps capture visitor contact details. This information is useful for sending follow-up emails, sharing additional property details, or identifying potential buyers.

Door hangers
Door hangers can be distributed to nearby homes a few days before the open house. This encourages neighbors to attend or share the listing with friends and family.

Postcards
Postcards can serve as post-event marketing pieces, reminding attendees about the listing or announcing future open house dates.

Property information packets
For highly interested buyers, a small packet containing flyers, brochures, and business cards provides a convenient takeaway with all key property details.

 

How Many Signs and Flyers Do You Need?

The number of printed materials needed will vary based on neighborhood traffic, property type, and expected attendance.

Recommended Printing Timeline

Planning your print materials ahead of time helps ensure everything arrives before the open house.

Two weeks before the open house:

Finalize marketing materials by confirming property photos, listing details, and design layouts.

7–10 days before:
Place print orders for yard signs, directional signs, flyers, and brochures. This timeline typically allows for production and delivery without rush fees.

2–3 days before:
Prepare your open house setup by:

• Assembling flyer stacks
• Organizing brochures
• Printing sign-in sheets
• Checking directional sign placement routes

Having materials ready in advance helps reduce stress on the day of the event.

 

Quick Open House Print Checklist

Before the open house begins, confirm that all essential print materials are ready.

Download the printable open house checklist to keep this list on hand for future listings.

 

Common Open House Printing Mistakes to Avoid

Ordering materials too late
Waiting until the last minute can limit printing options or lead to delayed delivery. Ordering at least a week in advance helps avoid unnecessary stress.

Using low-quality photos
Blurry or poorly lit images can make a property appear less appealing. High-resolution photos help present the home in the best possible light.

Not placing enough directional signs
Too few signs can make it difficult for visitors to locate the property. Using multiple directional signs ensures better visibility and traffic flow.

Missing contact information
Every flyer, brochure, and sign should include clear contact details so interested buyers know how to reach you after the open house.

 

Before the open house begins, confirm that all essential print materials are ready. A well-prepared set of signs, flyers, and supporting materials improves visibility, provides visitors with useful property information, and helps convert open house traffic into qualified leads.