Open Houses Part 2 (The Nosy Neighbor)
I have found that another big reason against having open houses is that it is going to attract “nosey neighbors” and what good is that? Well I would argue that you never know what good can come from that. Let me give you 3 posssible scenarios.
1) The Pure Nosy Neighbor:
This is that one that we all fear getting and probably is the most likely one to come in. They just want to see what the seller has done to the place or they want to see what kind of people are coming to look at the house.
If handled correctly they can become a great marketing asset. Think about this, they more than likely have been living there themselves for many years and like it. When I get one of these neighbors at an open house, I like to point out what a rare opportunity that they now have. I would often say something like “How often do you get the opportunity to pick out your next neighbor?” Who would you rather have move in down the street, someone that you already know and like or a complete stranger? Win these neighbors over and let them go to work or church and spread the word to their friends who are looking for a home that one has come on the market in their neighborhood, and it’s got to be one of the best neighborhoods out there or else they wouldn't have been living there themselves for so long.
Friends do tell friends about great opportunities.
2) The Nosey Neighbor who is planning to sell themselves:
Sometimes you will get the nosey neighbor who is coming in because they are planning to put their own home on the market in a few months and they want to “check out the competition”. This can be a plus also. I will try to show them that until they put theirs on the market, there is no competition and it would be to their advantage to help get this one sold first. I will point out the faster we can get this one sold and the closer to asking price that we can get for it, the better things will look for them when they do put their house on the market. If the most recent sold went faster than normal and close to the asking price, then people will think twice before “Low Balling” the next one. Also these neighbors don’t have to keep their word spreading to just friends that they like, they can tell anyone who might be interested. After all, why should they care who buys down the street, their moving out themselves.
3) The Nosey Neighbor Buyer:
The biggest thing that sellers AND agents seem to forget is that neighbors can also be buyers. I once had the next door neighbor come into an open house and ended up buying the house for her daughter. The first investment property that my wife and I had bought was in our home neighborhood of 10 years. This is very common of first time investors. It fits their comfort zone. They already know the area and the type of people that it attracts, they have the ability to check up on it more frequently, and they may even know the history behind the specific house.
Where I am living now, I would say that possibly half of the owners own more than just one property here. Neighbors can also be buyers.
So don’t be afraid of the “Nosey Neighbor”, welcome them in and make them you ally.
Living & Working in 4-Wheel Drive
Posted by 
;)
;)
All great reasons to welcome nosy neighbors. THey are also a great source of referrals. If they like the way you operate they'll be quick to recommend you to their friends.