Planning for an open house requires diligence; you don’t get a second chance for the first impression of a house. For real estate agents wanting to add a bit more fun to the touring, your options range from a snack table to a music playlist.
When it comes to picking the right song, it never hurts to go with a broadly popular choice. That makes it more likely visiting prospective buyers will recognize the song, which could boost their impression of the home and give them fond memories of the experience—fond enough to put down an offer.
Instrumental music—such as jazz—is a popular choice, and lyrics can run the risk of offending someone. (That means abrasive genres like heavy metal and punk rock should probably be kept out, unless you’re catering to a very specific clientele who might appreciate it.)
If you want something more lyrical to set the mood of your open house, though, here are some options to consider.
Dreams by the Cranberries
Thinking happy thoughts is so much easier when there’s a happy song to give them. To that end, it’s harder to find a better go-to than the Cranberries’ debut single, Dreams. It’s instantly recognizable and widely beloved, so a good pick for the “broad appeal” category. As a love song, it can especially resonate with newlywed first-time buyers, but the joyfulness of the song is universal.
The Cranberries were a rock band, but singer Dolores O’Riordan’s soft vocals on Dreams keep it sounding more like a soothing and upbeat melody. Homebuyers preparing for the major life transition of moving might resonate with a chorus that says with, wide-eyed optimism, “My life is changing everyday, in every possible way.”
Knocking on Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan
You want prospects to think this house could be their own little slice of heaven. What better song to give that impression than Knocking on Heaven’s Door? Besides the original Bob Dylan recording, the song has been covered plenty, from Eric Clapton to Warren Zevon to Guns N’ Roses.
Now, the song is melancholic (“knockin’ on Heaven’s door” refers to a peaceful death), but the acoustic folk music mood is comforting rather than unnerving.
She’s The One by Bruce Springsteen
It’s hard to go wrong with the Boss. While he definitely has more famous songs, She’s The One is from his defining Born to Run album.
(Alternatively, if you’re a luxury agent literally selling a mansion on a hill and willing to be really corny, Springsteen’s Mansion on the Hill could be the one.)
Part of the opening house experience is to convince your buyer that this home is indeed “the one” for them. She’s The One might subliminally reinforce that with Springsteen’s poetic lyrics and the E Street Band’s rocking instrumentals.
Good Fortune by PJ Harvey
New York real estate professionals, take heed. PJ Harvey’s 2000 album Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea is a love letter to the Big Apple. The standout track Good Fortune is all about living in NYC and finding the experience is lifting your spirits—as Harvey sings, “My bad fortune (is) slipping away.”
Basically, it’s a perfect mood-setter for anyone who’s looking to make a move to New York, like any of the prospects who might be stopping by your open house. The song’s vocals and the guitar rhythms also blend into a calming reassurance that things are going to work out, just the feeling you want your open house experience to provide to interested buyers.
Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
While winter open houses can present complications, from icy walkways to lack of natural light, spring is a different story. It’s warm but not too warm, bright and the sun’s boosting everyone’s mood. So, keep that in mind how some music hits better during a certain season.
There’s no band more widely loved than the Beatles, and the best song in their line-up for spring is, of course, Here Comes The Sun. Similar to other entries on this list, it’s a song about optimism and a fresh start, i.e. the right kind of mood you want to set as buyers walk through an open house that interests them.
