It's been 10 years since I've held one but when I did signs were a big deal.  I worked them myself and I was very strategic.  

Our signs are only allowed during open house times.  In most cases there are multiple agents in the development doing open houses so there is no need to duplicate on the main streets.  5 would probably be our max.

Hi Lise.  I don't do open houses but if I did, I would put them out well ahead of time and put out as many as I could.

signage is important.... and the number depends on the location of the property...if it's hidden, it needs more than being on a main street....

I scope out the location off Google Earth and consider traffic patterns, speeds of cars and place appropriately to allow for safe decelerations and turns towards the listing. The number of signs is not important as is the alert to potential visitors of the opportunity to see the home.

We only schedule Open Houses these days when the seller insists, but never put them out the day before...

When I did them many years ago, I put up no less than 12 signs, some neighborhoods required twice that. But really it was as many as it took to get prospects to the house easily and make the neighborhood very aware I was there! 

I never hired them done, it's too easy to get new & old school agents to do them for free; but I required them to follow my Open House Manual (how to & standards included seller wishes). And yes, I'd check up on them occasionally back then, but most of the time now,it's the same 1 of 2 agents that do mine if the listing is vacant. I do not allow them to do them on occupied listings.

Eight. If more than eight are required this may not be a proper open house candidate, but a good place to read a book. However, such a house buried deep into a community is a good candidate for a 'Get more listings' purposed open house.

I will post an OPEN SUNDAY @2 sign at the house a full 5 days before.

The directional signs are placed the morning of the event.

It is what you do during those five days that will have the greatest impact on the outcome.

Never do an open house alone

Always have a PURPOSE

Leverage the affiliates you work with

Make sure everyone knows their role

Have the right self-select material

Know what you will do when a visitor self-selects.

It would depend on the location of the house, but for the most part I would put out 8 -10 signs.  I would do them myself the day of the open house.

I should put more signs - I am putting about 5-6 signes only, Lise Howe 

Hi Lise -- it depends on the location but whenever possible(some areas in my market, I will have as many signs as possible(typically 15 and more) and yes it is very strategic.  

Signs are put up the day of the open house event and usually it's me placing them although I have outsourced it on occasion -- it can be good exercise and I've had people stop and ask me questions.  

We are only allowed 4 in most cases. Some communities don't allow any. They can go up Fri evenimng, and must be removed Sunday eves. I put them up myself.

How many signs go out in Charlotte depends on the neighborhood... many subdivision limit the nunber of signs you can have and when they can come up and have to go down. Also, not allowed on city streets except during very specific hours.

I put out at least 15 signed and I do it myself 30 minutes before, I think the day before might piss people off, however please tel me the results if you do it the day before ( granted if your area permits it to be done like that)

i am open to change 

It's a love / hate relationship with Code Enforcement which usually results with one and done on the subject property only! Any extraneous signage will be collected.