How to Run an Open Inspection
A practical guide for private sellers running their own open homes.
Before the Inspection
A well-prepared open home creates a strong first impression and generates more serious enquiries. Here's how to get ready:
Schedule your inspection
From your Seller Dashboard, go to your listing and click Open Inspections. Add the date and time window (typically 30-45 minutes on a Saturday). The inspection time will appear on your listing immediately.
Prepare the property
- Clean thoroughly - kitchens, bathrooms, and floors make the biggest impression
- Declutter - remove personal items, excess furniture, and anything that makes rooms feel smaller
- Fresh air - open windows an hour before to air out the property
- Lighting - turn on all lights, open curtains and blinds
- Kerb appeal - mow the lawn, sweep the path, tidy the entrance
- Temperature - in summer, turn on air conditioning early; in winter, make it warm
- Pets - remove pets and pet items (bowls, beds, litter trays) during the inspection
Prepare your documents
In Victoria, you must have the Section 32 vendor statement available for all potential buyers. A-Part makes this easy - once uploaded to your listing, every buyer who registers or checks in can access it directly via their link.
Pre-register attendees. Buyers who have registered for your inspection through A-Part already have access to the property details and Section 32. You can send them an SMS reminder from your dashboard before the open home.
On the Day
You're the host - be friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable about your property. Here's a simple routine:
- Arrive 15 minutes early - do a final walk-through, turn on lights, check the temperature
- Have your phone ready - open the OFI Check-in page (see below) to register walk-in attendees
- Greet everyone at the door - a warm welcome makes buyers feel comfortable
- Register each attendee - ask for their mobile number and check them in via your phone
- Let buyers explore - don't follow them room to room; be available for questions
- Highlight key features - mention recent renovations, energy efficiency, neighbourhood highlights
- Don't discuss price - if asked, direct them to the listing price or say "we're accepting offers through the platform"
Using OFI Check-in
The OFI Check-in is a mobile-friendly page designed to be used on your phone during an open inspection. It replaces the traditional paper sign-in sheet.
How to access it
On inspection day, go to /ofi on your phone (you must be logged in). The page automatically shows today's inspections. If you have multiple inspections on the same day, select the right one from the dropdown.
Registering walk-in attendees
When a buyer arrives who hasn't pre-registered:
- Ask for their mobile number (required)
- Enter it in the OFI Check-in form
- If they're an existing A-Part user, their name and email will auto-fill
- Tap Register
That's it - the buyer is now registered for your inspection and appears in your attendee list.
Why register attendees? Capturing buyer details lets you follow up after the inspection. It also means you can instantly send them a link to your property listing and Section 32 documents via SMS - no paperwork, no printing, no chasing people for email addresses later.
Sending SMS to Buyers
Once an attendee is registered (either pre-registered or checked in on the day), you can send them an SMS with one tap.
What the SMS contains
The SMS includes:
- Your property address
- A personalised link to your listing on A-Part
- Access to your Section 32 vendor statement and other uploaded documents
The link takes the buyer to a sign-in page (if they don't have an account) and then directly to your property listing with full details.
How to send
From the OFI Check-in attendee list, tap the SMS button next to any attendee. You can also send SMS from the Inspections page on your seller dashboard, where you have the option to preview the message before sending.
Send SMS on the spot. The best time to send the SMS is right after checking someone in - while they're still at your property. They can open the link on their phone immediately and browse your listing details, photos, and Section 32 while they're standing in the home. This keeps them engaged and gives them everything they need to make a decision.
Email option
If the attendee has an email address on file, you can also send them the property details via email. The email contains the same personalised link to your listing and documents.
After the Inspection
The open home is just the beginning. Here's how to follow up effectively:
- Review your attendee list - check who came and whether they received the SMS/email
- Send follow-up messages - if anyone missed the SMS during the inspection, send it now from your dashboard
- Monitor enquiries - check your dashboard inbox for questions from attendees
- Review offers - serious buyers may submit a Letter of Intent through A-Part
- Schedule your next inspection - if the property is still on the market, add another inspection time
Safety Tips
Running your own open inspections is safe and straightforward, but it's sensible to take basic precautions:
- Tell someone - let a friend or family member know when your inspection is
- Secure valuables - lock away jewellery, cash, medications, and small electronics
- Have a buddy - if possible, have a friend or partner at the property with you
- Keep doors open - don't let yourself be cornered in a room
- Register everyone - using OFI Check-in means you have a record of every attendee
- Trust your instincts - if something feels off, you're not obligated to let someone in
FAQ
Do I have to register every attendee?
It's strongly recommended. Registering attendees captures their contact details so you can follow up, and it lets you send them property details and Section 32 documents instantly via SMS. It also creates a record of who attended the inspection.
What if someone doesn't want to give their mobile number?
You can ask for their email address instead, or simply let them view the property without registering. However, without contact details you won't be able to follow up or send them documents.
Can buyers access the Section 32 before the inspection?
Yes. Buyers who register for the inspection through the listing page will receive a link to view the property details and Section 32. You can also send the link manually from your dashboard at any time before the inspection.
Does the SMS cost me anything?
SMS messages sent through A-Part are included in your listing package at no extra charge.
Can I use OFI Check-in for private inspections too?
The OFI Check-in page shows inspections scheduled for today. For private inspections, you can register attendees from the Inspections page on your seller dashboard and send them the SMS or email from there.
What if I have multiple properties open on the same day?
The OFI Check-in page shows all your inspections for today. Use the dropdown at the top to switch between properties. Each property has its own attendee list.