I don't due open houses. 

Thanks for this... however, I personally don't do them. Fewer than 5% of homes sell as a result of open houses and they are not my preferred venue to attract new leads.

Have not done an open house in years

I'm in Barbara Todaro's corner on this one!! Always, always, ALWAYS have a plan...and a follow-up!

For me, it is all about generating traffic with proper sign placement. I do not stick to a set format as we are dealing with people who never fit into the right pigeon hole.

YES.  

I don't do them. I share Nina Hollander comment. 

the key to a successful open house event is to market it properly....if no one knows about it, it will be a train wreck...  marketing plus excessive signage.... sign in sheets with several key questions on it.... two people at the open, especially if it's a two story home.... quality brochures at the property.... marketing materials are a reflection of your ability to market the property....."the eye buys"...... if it's vacant, virtual staging with a frame blown up and dispayed on an easel stand.....

Yes, I avoid them and take on more productive tasks for my sellers.

Yes, and it takes at least a blog post to go over them.

I do have a system and have written blogs about it and have my list in pdf form in the ActiveRain University.

Although I don't do opens anymose...I never had an issue

As much promotion as possible 

 When I held open houses, I definitely had a checklist, a plan, and a routine.

Kathleen Daniels , Wayne Martin , Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTACONDOS.COM , Nina Hollander , Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor,CRS,e-Pro all nailed this one!

Yes, I do and follow many of the pointers you recommend, but do not use scripts.

Keller Williams Ignite Toolkit

I don't do too many, as feel they are mostly worthless and a time suck.

Thanks for sharing great tips PropertyMinder Inc..

Have them staffed appropritately for if they are occupied or empty.  Usually have a second person there that can write a contract or show other homes to help sell this one.  I've come close to getting paper written MANY times.

Yes, I have routines for everything.

Yes, I have an open house routine.  It's a strategy designed for that particular property that includes signing(number and placement), exposure(offline/online), information at the property(brochures, area data, -pre-market inspections, seller disclosures) and the proper timing.   

Yes. I don't schedule them. Horrendous waste of time in my market.

Thank you.

My consistent ritual is to have someone else do them if a seller really wants one. 

I make sure I put a open sign up on Monday for a Saturday open house.

I do not hold open houses.