Then and Now

I remember my first open house quite well. I had passed the state exam but had yet to receive my license in the mail. An agent in my office sent out an infra-office email looking for an agent to do an open for that weekend. I responded back I would like to do it. She responded back “who are you, do you work for us? I responded back with more information and she agreed to let me hold it open. We laugh about that now.

I prepared well with signs, fliers, and information about the neighborhood. I arrived and set up almost an hour early and stood there for the next four hours waiting for anyone to arrive. No one did. I was GREATLY relieved that no one had shown up. I had no idea what to say or do, but my first open house was over and I had survived. My mother would be so proud of me. I did come back the next day, Sunday, for 3 more hours and had a few people show up, and I must have answered their question because I don't remember anyone being mad at me.

OK, now there is yesterday, Sunday May 21, 2013. We have a serious inventory shortage and many listings are sold within one office without ever really being available. Some home are open for one or two days then offers are presented to the seller. I did one of the latter yesterday.

In 3 hours I had 33 groups come through which must have totaled 100 or so people. It was fine. Lots of buyer contacts, and a lot of agents I knew to talk with while their clients looked. Those agents wished they were in my shoes, selling instead of buying.

The point is, in our chosen field, Real Estate, things are constantly changing and being willing and able to adapt and adapt quickly is vital. First open, 4 hours with no visitors compared to 3 hours with over 100 visitors yesterday. I probably would prefer something in the middle. Now my problem is down loading and sorting through the offers. A good problem yes, but have to have something to complain about.

My name is Dale E. Bledsoe with Crown Key Realty and as always I may be reached at 209-481-6031.