We started House Concerts in 1977... Back when no one had heard of them.
The best advice is to enjoy. Forget the PA (I've been playing for 25 years and house concerts are best if not to large...15 to 35 people... Acoustic and share some food...
Enjoy and don't try and be the "Big Show" in town... They have arts councils for that...
When we started them we want to do a few things.... One, introduce people to "folk" Two, broaden the venue base for the music, "help" performers to meet road expenses by providing a meal, bed and a pass of the hat to help with expenses...
Check it out at www.SkipJones.net
We have enough high hype and big time stuff. Bring the music back to the homes and people.