Just curious other professionals outlook on Open Houses and On-Site Sales in New Construction Communities?  Do you do regular weekly Open Houses?  Do you get a lot of traffic?  Do you find that more of your buyers are staying on-line to look rather than getting out to drive around?

Just curious on everyone else's opinions and thoughts.

 

 

 

5 Comments on Open Houses / On-Site Sales in Today's Market

MAR
26
2009
377,922 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I have worked on site at several subdivisions. We used to have the subdivisions open 7 days a week. Now I see that most subdivisions in our area are open 4 days a week, sometimes just weekends and open to agents with lockboxes 7 days.
12:39pm • #1

We have a S/D we were doing 5 days a week but we were seeing very little to no traffic during the week.  We started doing Fri-Sun and it's just as bad traffic wise.  Ultimately, we've basically gone to "By Appointment" and have L/B for agents to show anything that is available.
12:42pm • #2

I work out of a small town in Northwest Montana and traditionally open houses don't to great but I have noticed especially in the last couple of years that the number of people who show up to the open houses has decreased further still. For instance one of my co-workers advertised her open house a couple weeks in advance through local media - both radio and newspaper she did not receive one visitor. So in my opinionand from what I have seen in my local market people are staying in more and visiting open houses less.
1:11pm • #3
MAR
30
2009
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Hi Robert,

Just coming off of a 2 open house weekend.  I think it is really market specific as to whether or not open houses work.  On Saturday, I had no visitors and on Sunday we had four couples. 

There are a few things I consider:

1.  What is the price point of the house I am considering holding open? Is this a likely price point for an open house? I find the higher the sales price, the lower the traffic.  Also, a 55+ community rarely attracts open house prospects.

2.  Is the home easy to find?

3.  What is the weather forecast? I have absolutely cancelled OH's because of thunderstorms.

4.  Can you utilize directional signs?

5.  I have been having more luck on Saturday than Sunday because of Churchgoers.

6.  I also found that later OH's yield more traffic.  I am finding 1-3 pretty active.

7.  I also invite the neighbors via flyers.  The weather is getting nice again so hand delivering the day before gets you out and about and talking with neighbors who may also want to move.

8.  A neat idea also, is to send flyers to renters (through your mls service) whose rent payment matches the mortgage payment for the house you are holding open.  I print out the mls with a flyer from my lender showing the small payment change.  You may need to show the tax advantage as well.

Open houses for me have been a hit or miss.  The sellers typically feel good about holding them, and I often ask my buyer's agents to lend a hand. 

I had 13 years of new construction experience.  If there is no traffic, the pricing isn't right or the marketing isn't right.  One of these, or both, need to be analyzed.  Then, enjoy the traffic and convert, convert, convert.

Live well,

Diane Donnelly, Keller Williams Crossroads, Annapolis, MD
6:33pm • #4
MAR
31
2009

Those are some great ideas, thanks!
10:30am • #5


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Robert Kenmore

Leeds, AL

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RE/MAX Southern Homes

Address: 903 Montgomery Highway, Birmingham, AL, 35216

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