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Open House "Looky-Loos"

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with ERA Simmons Real Estate 18157

I recently held an open house (sellers idea) on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.   I had three couples come through, all "looky-loos"!  These couples are career open house visitors.  We see them every Sunday making the rounds.  They usually criticize the home.  They will nit-pick every little thing about the home, including the price, and then thank you for allowing them to visit.  It is getting to the point where I will not encourage an open house for my sellers and explain that there are better ways to market the home.  It is hard to convince some that there is a better way, especially if they visited several open houses before they bought their home.  I explain to them that the majority of open house visitors do not buy the homes they are visiting but are simply comparing floor plans, price and neighborhoods.  I also explain that there are a lot of "looky-loos" out there. 

            

Comments (3)

Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Lebron - I don't enjoy open houses anymore, although I have sold four homes in this manner over my 13-year career.

Aug 17, 2009 03:00 AM
Lorrie Semler, REALTOR® in the Dallas area. Call/text 972-416-3417
HomeSmart Stars - Addison, TX
Real Service. Real Results. Real Estate

I have one couple that comes through every open house in our city.  I thought they were just looky-loos, but they actually called me and asked that I write an offer on a house that they had seen the prevoius weekend.  It seems they had been looking for something specific.  And when they found it, they acted.  I have also had a buyer come through an open house who was represented, but his agent wasn't with him. He ended up purchasing the house I held open.

Aug 17, 2009 03:06 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

I don't think anybody really likes them but I will hold one within the first 2 weeks of getting a listing to market just to see the response. The Internet is still the best way to get a house sold, AFTER the sellers agree to the right price, which may not be the price they wanted.

Aug 17, 2009 04:37 AM