GAAR's Grande Open House Weekend starts this Saturday! And there is still a time to add your listings.

Here is your checklist the Open House weekend.

1. Enter the date and time of your open house for your listing in Flexmls. 

It's really that easy. You don't need to take any further action for your property to be listed online.

However, if you want your listing to be included in the the printed Albuquerque Journal's new HomeStyle section, then you need to have your Open House dates and times in Flexmls by 8:00 am on Wednesday (Yes...the ABQ Journal has extended their deadline just for the Open House Weekend).

You can pick up copies of the printed Open House Listings on Friday at the GAAR REALTOR® Building, the larger real estate broker offices and mortgage company offices. You can also contact the Jorge Lopez at the ABQ Journal if you would like a larger presence in the HomeStyle. His phone number is 505.823.3393 and his email is jalopez@abqpubco.com.

2. Pick up your signs, balloons and swag at the REALTOR® Building starting on Wednesday through Saturday at 2 pm.

The signs are here! And this year we ordered plenty so we have enough for every home listed. We also have GAAR and NewMexicoHomeSearch.com balloons for your open house and more swag from publishers (The Albuquerque Journal, Su Casa Magazine, Albuquerque the Magazine, The Albuquerque Visitors' Guide, etc.), mortgage brokers and more that you can place in the home. 

The balloons will be distributed deflated. Inflated balloons will be available at the REALTOR® Building between 9 am and 2pm on Saturday. 

Based on last year, we highly recommend the balloons be attached on or very close to the Open House Sign so that they do not pop. TIP: Binder clips work great for attaching balloons to signs on a windy day.

3. Check your listing on GAAR's new consumer website, NewMexicoHomeSearch.com

Because the data is only refreshed once daily, your listing may take up to 24 hours to appear. Any changes that you want to make in your listing should be made in Flexmls. Web ads are directing potential home buyers to an instructional page so they can learn the details about the Open House Weekend before going to the Open House Listing on NewMexicoHomeSearch.com.

4. Review Open House Safety Tips.

While Albuquerque and Rio Rancho Police Departments have been notified of the need to be extra vigilant by our Open House properties, it is still up to you, the listing agent, to ensure you and the property stay safe.

Top safety priorities include: 

• Have a buddy. Bring a friend, associate, or family member with you. Or, even better, bring your lender so they can qualify prospective buyers! This is especially important because you wan to make sure that only one group tours at a time while other visitors stay in the entry area.
• Make sure visitors sign in before they tour the house.  If you don't have a sign in sheet, download this special Open House Weekend Sign-in sheet for your open house. You can also take pictures of their ID.
• Always follow potential buyers when giving the tour. Rather than enter the room, stay at the doorway and led them tour the space on their own.
• Keep your cell phone and keys in your hands (and nothing else). You want to be able to call 911 and get to your car if there is an emergency.

Click here for more Open House safety tips.

5. Prep your property for a successful open house!

Click here for open house tips.

Here is a example of the free open house listings in the Journal's new "HomeStyle" section