Open House Yard Signs: What to Put on Them and Where to Place Them for Weekend Traffic

An open house yard sign is one of the most effective tools for real estate agents and homeowners looking to attract weekend visitors to a property. Thoughtful design and strategic placement maximize drive-by traffic, improve visibility, and make it easy for potential buyers to find your open house. At Legit Fast Printing, we specialize in helping you create custom yard signs that genuinely work for open houses, using proven materials, clear design, and turnkey ordering processes.

What Should You Put on an Open House Yard Sign?

Your open house sign must quickly communicate the essential details. Here are the elements proven to get attention and guide traffic efficiently:

• Headline: The words "OPEN HOUSE" should be the largest text, usually 4–6 inch high bold letters. Use a simple, easy-to-read font such as Arial Black.
• Date and Time: Include clear information like “Sat 1-4 PM”.
• Contact/Agent Info: List a phone number or agent name so interested buyers can reach out easily.
• Directional Arrow: For signs used as wayfinding, dedicate at least half the sign space to a bold arrow pointing buyers the correct way.
• Color Contrast: Use high-contrast color combos such as black on white or red on yellow for maximum legibility.
• Keep It Brief: Limit the total words to around five to seven to allow drivers to read the sign quickly as they drive by.

Example: Main sign might read "OPEN HOUSE SAT 2-5 PM → Jane Smith 555-4321". Directional signs should feature "OPEN HOUSE →" and nothing more.

Best Open House Yard Sign Sizes and Materials

Choosing the right yard sign size and material is crucial for visibility, cost-effectiveness, and durability. At Legit Fast Printing, these options help clients achieve their goals:

• Main Lawn Sign (Front Property): 18x24 inches is recommended because it’s visible up to 150 feet and stands out in yards and at intersections.
• Directional Signs: 12x18 inches (also called "bandit signs") are a smart, budget-friendly choice for guiding traffic through neighborhoods to the open house. They’re smaller but still highly readable for drivers at typical city speeds.
• Material: 4mm corrugated plastic is the gold standard. It’s lightweight, waterproof, weather-resistant, and reusable across multiple events, making it ideal for weekend open houses.
• Double-Sided Printing: Double-sided signs are standard at Legit Fast Printing and ensure your message is visible from two directions on two-way streets.
• Wire H-Stakes: Included with all yard sign orders for easy, no-fuss installation.

How Many Open House Signs Should You Use?

The right quantity depends on neighborhood layout and traffic patterns. For most open houses, this setup works best:

• 1–2 large 18x24 inch main signs for the front lawn and high-traffic intersection nearby (usually a block or two away).
• 4–8 smaller 12x18 inch directional signs to guide potential buyers at each key turn from the nearest main road to the property.
• Extras: Consider 1–2 more if your route is long, or if visibility is obstructed by landscaping or curves in the road.

Ordering a minimum of 5–10 custom yard signs is a best practice for most listings, and buying in bulk can lower the price per sign at Legit Fast Printing.

Step-by-Step Placement Strategy for Maximum Weekend Traffic

Correct placement is just as important as design. Here’s an actionable plan for setting up open house yard signs:

1. Start at the main road or busiest intersection within 0.5–1 mile of the property. Install your largest sign facing incoming traffic at a 45-degree angle for increased visibility.
2. At every major turn or decision point along the route, place a directional sign. Use arrows that clearly show left, right, or straight ahead. Signs should be positioned about 24–36 inches off the ground, making them visible over most grass and above parked cars.
3. For longer routes, add an extra sign with “2 Blocks Ahead” or similar context to reassure drivers they're on the right track.
4. On the final approach, ensure there’s another sign at each intersection within 2–3 blocks of the listing, especially if the street curves or visibility drops.
5. Front yard sign is critical. Place it as close to the road as possible without violating local city or HOA rules. If sidewalks are present, consider an A-frame sign in addition for walk-up foot traffic (A-frame placement depends on local ordinances).
6. Remove after the event. Always retrieve signs on Sunday evening to comply with most city and HOA regulations.

Why Corrugated Plastic is the Preferred Choice

Corrugated plastic is used for almost all professional open house yard signs due to its strength, weather-resistance, and affordability. At Legit Fast Printing, all custom yard signs use 4mm corrugated plastic for these benefits:

• Durable in all weather: Stays colorful and legible through rain, sun, and wind.
• Lightweight: Easy to carry during set-up and tear-down, even for solo agents.
• No warping: Holds its shape and stays flat, so text remains easy to read for the entire weekend.
• Reusable: Perfect for agents or owners who run open houses regularly.

Discover more about why corrugated plastic signs are so effective in our detailed guide on weatherproof signage.

Design Tips for an Effective Open House Yard Sign

• Choose bold, readable fonts: Plain sans serif fonts maximize clarity at a distance.
• Use minimal text: Focus on “OPEN HOUSE,” date, time, simple contact info, and arrows.
• Go for high-contrast colors: The most readable signs use two to three strong, contrasting colors.
• Keep graphics simple: Too many images or logos can make the sign cluttered.
• Avoid tiny QR codes or property details: Save those for flyers or a supplemental info sheet.
• Test visibility: Print a design proof and view it from 20–50 feet away to check for readability before ordering in bulk.

Need assistance? Email us after ordering for free design help, or check out our full guide to effective custom yard sign design.

Ordering Custom Open House Yard Signs: How It Works at Legit Fast Printing

1. Choose your size: Select from 18x24 for main signs and 12x18 for directional signs on our product page. All are made from 4mm weather-resistant corrugated plastic.
2. Upload your own design, or use a template. Our free designer support can help translate your vision into a high-impact, printable design (300 DPI recommended for sharpness).
3. Decide on quantity: Take advantage of bulk pricing. Ordering 10 or more unlocks significant savings per sign.
4. Add to cart; H-stakes are included, so no extra display supplies needed.
5. Approve your proof: Review your final sign before printing. Most orders are produced and shipped within two to five business days.

You can see our full selection and start your order for custom open house yard signs here.

Customer Experience: What Sets Legit Fast Printing Apart

• Fast turnaround: Many signs ship same or next business day for quick open house prep.
• Bulk discounts: Price per sign drops with every larger order.
• Exceptional support: Lean on our team for design, ordering, and shipping help any time you need it.
• Positive reviews: Our yard signs are consistently rated 5 stars for quality, speed, and ease of use, with over 281 positive reviews.

For more on customer experiences and fast, high-quality yard sign printing, see our post on the best printing options for urgent sign orders.

Best Practices Checklist

• Always check local rules (city and HOA) before placing signs on public property or at major intersections.
• Install signs early Friday morning for maximum weekend visibility.
• Remove all signage after your open house to avoid fines or future restrictions.
• Store your signs in a dry place and clean gently with a damp cloth to reuse for the next event.
• Order extra arrows to replace any lost or damaged signs on event day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Open house yard signs are a reliable way to boost weekend property traffic when designed and placed with intention. Focusing on clear messaging, the right size, and durable materials—plus a thoughtful placement strategy—helps your open house stand out and brings more potential buyers through the door.

To make your next open house a success, explore Legit Fast Printing’s custom yard sign options for straightforward ordering, fast shipping, and expert guidance at every step. If you’re ready to attract more traffic this weekend, start your custom yard sign order here.