Springs arrival kicks off the largest annual exchange of residential real estate in the United States. Open houses are as much a part of this ritual as cherry blossoms, your Saturday or Sunday best and freshly mowed grass. While great food won't sell a tired mid-century ranch, having food and beverages can make some buyers linger longer and provide a quick pick-me-up for weary homebuyers who do a alot of walking, climbing up stairs and are in and out of transportation viewing potential properties. I've field-tested these with real estate agents at brokers open houses as well.

Mark Nash author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home (2005 Thomson Publishing) offers your readers and viewers some tried and true menu items for residential real estate public open houses. Open houses can be tricky for those who don't entertain much as the open house event is one of the few times you invite guests into your home when your not there, but your real estate agent is. And if you do entertain often, this is one event when you should exercise caution in going overboard. Lavish spreads say desperate to savvy homebuyers.

The basics.

-Forget silverware. If a guest at your open house needs to use silverware to graze at your open house buffet, the food is too fussy.

-Stage an inviting food and beverage station. Cut some flowers from your yard or buy some seasonal fresh flowers as the focal point. You can use a tablecloth but make sure it's not too formal. Quality disposable cups and plates are okay, buy some colorful ones that match the theme of the room. Place a waste container in a very visible place adjacent to the station.

-Utilize cocktail size napkins and plates. Smaller size plates and napkins send the signal that it's not a meal. It also helps control portion sizes so guests don't feel that it's a meal.

-Place some scented votive candles around the table to make it feel extra special.

-Bottled water is a must-have. Guests on-the-go will appreciate the the portable pick-me-up.

-Coffee is natural with house hunters. If you don't want consumed away from the station don't provide covers and sleeves.

-Before your open house ask your agent or visit some other open houses in your community to see how many people attend. It's hard to predict how many will show and what they'll eat or drink. The weather and time of day will surly impact how little or much you need to prepare.

-No alcohol. Open houses are business events. If people drink they stay forever and forget why they came.

Menu ideas.

-Marks Lofty Cranberry-Lemonade. A great make-ahead that's always a hit. The authors field-tested recipe.

12 ounces lemonade. 4 ounces cranberry cocktail 1 Cup sliced lemons Cold mineral water to taste Ice Cubes

In a blender combine lemonade and cranberry cocktail. Add chilled mineral water to taste. Repeat recipe until amount is reached. Garnish total amount with lemon slices. I usually make 4 batches of recipe or 64 ounces, eight-eight ounce servings.

-Marks High-Rise Hot Chocolate. A twist on the old stand-by. Rave reviews by young and old.

4 Cups whole or reduced-fat milk 2 ounces unswe

etened chocolate 1 cup mineral water 1/4 cup sugar 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract. 1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon. 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg.

In a medium saucepan combine water, chocolate and sugar. Stir while cooking on a medium-low heat until chocolate melts. Add vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Remove from heat, do not boil. Beat until frothy. Makes 6 six ounce servings.

-Marks Turn-key Turkey Roll-ups. Portable and easy to eat with one hand. Healthy too.

1-8 ounce package light cream cheese, softened. cup light sour cream 1-Teaspoon prepared mustard Teaspoons died basil leaves 8-10 inch flour tortillas, warmed 8-1 ounce slices turkey breast 1-10 ounce package broccoli slaw mix 8-1 ounce sliced provolone cheese 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion 1/2 sliced black olives

Combine cream cheese, mustard in small bowl, mix at medium speed, scrape bowl, until smooth. Stir in basil. Place slice s of Provolone cheese on tortilla. Spread 1/4 cup mixture onto each tortilla almost to edge on top of Provolone cheese. Combine broccoli slaw, onions and olives in bowl. Place turkey on top of cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle broccoli slaw mixture on top of turkey. Roll up tightly; secure with toothpick. To serve, cut each roll-up into thirds. Place toothpick in each third to hold together. You make these up to four hours ahead. Makes 24 roll-ups.

-Marks Condo Chocolate chip raisin cookies. The bread and butter of open house food.

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup butter, melted 3/4 cup white granulated sugar 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 4 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 tablespoon milk 2 large eggs 2 cups (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate morsels 1 cup raisins

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small mixing bowl. Neat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large mixing bowl. Add eggs, beat well after adding; gradually beat in flour mixture. Add milk and beat for one minute. Stir in morsels and raisins. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto un-greased baking sheets. Bake in 375-degree oven for nine to eleven minutes, cookies should be golden brown. Makes 24 cookies.

Extras

-Snack-size single serve bags of corn, potato or tortilla chips. No dips please, spares you the drips.

-The new eight ounce soda cans chilled ready to go.

-Washed whole fresh fruit. Pick varieties that don't need to be peeled or cut.

-Miniature wrapped candy bars. A home run at open houses.

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