Following the huge success of the past few years’ events, Strutt & Parker will be holding another National Open House Day on Saturday 17th March.

Our regional offices will be opening the doors of hundreds of residential properties for sale across the UK. Buyers will be able to view a real showcase of homes for sale in any region they pick, at any time that suits them, creating a more relaxed and fun experience. The initiative started in 2009 with just one Strutt & Parker office in Kent; this year we will be presenting properties from all the regional offices. Last year's event was a huge success with over 2000 viewings taking place and offers of over £50m total being received. There were 825 properties available for people to view on the day.

The open house initiative creates a more informal atmosphere for viewing houses as well as generating more activity and - hopefully - faster and more concrete offers for sellers in this somewhat nervous and indecisive market.

Participating properties are open to view between 10.30am and 3pm and buyers who are registered can just turn up as and when they wish to look around with no pressure from agents. Michael Fiddes, Head of Agency at Strutt & Parker explains that "in the current market this event really creates a buzz that actually makes a difference and should guarantee results. In August, one particular house, for example, had a record-breaking 50 viewings. This kind of thing would never occur normally so the Open House Day effectively fast forwarded the sales process, producing quicker sales."

Currently the market is seeing a lot of activity but the number of actual deals being done is still low. There seems to be a real stumbling block with producing genuine offers and then closing the deal. Open House Day should be particularly effective at helping to bring all the right ingredients together to culminate in positive results.

Sellers find the day of benefit as well as buyers. Increased advertising and promotion in national and local publications in the lead up draw considerably more attention to all houses partaking in the scheme, as well as actual viewings on the day. What is even more of an incentive is the fact that in previous events it has been proven that buyers tend to look at properties that they previously had not considered and a number have then gone on to offer on those. It pushes people's boundaries. For buyers who are living increasingly busy lives the time savings made through seeing X number of houses in one day makes a real difference and can often clarify what exactly it is they are looking for and want to offer on.

Fiddes continues "It is a really good incentive to put your house on the market and to get ahead of the Summer market especially in the difficult market conditions. This will put your property in the best possible position with the most chance of serious buyers coming through the door and making serious offers."

To receive a registration card to view all the properties or to register your home for sale, please contact your local Strutt & Parker office or visit www.struttandparker.com/openday for further information.