Alpacas, Open Houses, and the Power of Creative Marketing

Can two alpacas and a goat help sell a $1.499M home in Fairfax? According to the Washington Business Journal, the answer is yes.

At The Haven Group, we know that open houses aren’t just about selling a home on the spot. They’re about creating memorable experiences that spark conversations and spread the word. While most agents stick to food trucks or light refreshments, we wanted to try something different. Enter Mochi and Loki, two alpacas from My Pet Alpaca in Delaplane, VA, joined by Princess Peach the goat and even an albino snake.

The result? Our most well-attended open house of the year. Families came for the animals, kids had a blast, and neighbors stayed to tour the five-bedroom home built in 2022 by Pulte Homes. The buzz carried well beyond the event, putting this Fairfax property on more people’s radar than traditional marketing ever could.

While the National Association of Realtors reports that only 3% of buyers begin their search with open houses, nearly half use them as a key source of information. That makes open houses an important opportunity, not just to showcase a property, but to leave a lasting impression.

For us, the petting zoo was more than a gimmick. It was a strategic way to align the experience with the most likely buyer, a family with children, while ensuring the community remembered the home long after the animals went back to grazing.

As part of our partnership with SERHANT., we’re committed to pushing boundaries with innovative, high-impact marketing. Whether that means cinematic listing films, global reach, or yes, even alpacas, our goal is always the same: to get your home in front of the right buyers and deliver exceptional results.

As featured in the Washington Business Journal: https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2025/09/08/open-house- petting-zoo-fairfax-serhant.html