On any given Sunday, realtors are putting out their signs, competing for potential buyers.  However, open houses are no longer a laid back affair.  Realtor Rachel Barnette said it's critical for a seller's property to stand out.

"Marketing a home you can't take it lightly, what I try to do is have a huge open house and get the biggest bang in the first open and make the best first impression you can," Barnette said.

The Prudential Advantage Realty realtor said she's given away gift cards and massages and this Sunday Barnette brewed up traffic at her listing at the Kukilakila townhomes in Kailua.

Barnette teamed up with Brew Threw, a drive and walk through coffee shop, that parked outside the open house.

Barnette handed out free coffee coupons to anyone who stopped by.

"If you market properly and go full force by staging, by doing special events and sponsorships you will get it sold quicker than someone who just puts the house on the market on a multiple listing service," Barnette said.

With fewer homes available and historically low interest rates, Barnette says there are more buyers than homes.

However, with inventory down compared to last summer, buyers risk losing a new home if they don't act fast.

"You do feel a little bit of pressure to kind of like you want to jump on a place and we kind of want to do that but we want to be smart about it," said potential buyer Scott Whaley.

At another Kailua open house, the realtor is using high glossed as listed post cards to attract potential buyers and something as simple as balloon can also help get people through the door.

The owner renovated the two bedroom condo, to help with the sell but he still is searching for a place to move.