What if they are serving something you dont like, why waste your time driving out there?

 LOL, just kidding!

BUT

Seriously isnt a Broker Open just about the food and networking?  Afterall, doesnt every broker already have a key to the lockbox if they want to see it?

Then it must be about the food and seeing and being seen!

I personally dont attend these functions, but if I was interested I might want to know what they were serving, I am kindof a picky eater!

 HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE!!!!  SMILE!!!!

Maybe they have Allergies?  J/K yes that is rude.

I would have told them it is a surprise.

I have been invited to speak at a couple of those. The food, no doubt about it and for sure, is the draw for many agents. They do get a free lunch.

I had one last yr,where a family of 4 walked in and ate all the cookies we had,took 5 bottles of water and said nothing!   

WOW.  That's bold.  The food is supposed to be a 'perk', not a reason to show.  I'd be inclined to answer, "Roasted black lab"....  ;)

SK

SCOTT- That was funny.

Here is my outlook on the situation and how it might play out from the other end.

Hey kids we are going out for lunch Saturday. Let me find out what the Open Houses are having.

Kids- What are we having?

Looks like Ms. Smith from Remax is having Outback Steak House Catered.

Kids- Can we go there first before its gone.

Perhaps it was poor social skills?  Or maybe they were trying to be funny but it didn't come across that way?  Yes, it's hard to believe someone would be serious asking that.

Very few agents here on Fort Myers Beach do the food thing.  Maybe crackers or something lite.  Attendance at open houses has really been down over the last several months !

Always take the high road.  Just conduct yourselves as professionals, love this business, and reward yourself...there will always be some of "those" agents that think this business is about quick hits, discounting, etc.  Only the strong survive.

I remember when I practiced on Long Island there was a brokerage in our town that had its office meetings on Tuesdays, they always called the agents dumb enough to hold Broker open houses on Tuesdays to verify the menu.  They would arive after their office caravan  descended like vultures, refuse to, tour the home eat all the food and leave. 

On the other hand, yes I did go for the free lunch and so did most of the other agents in the area who used these as a great chance to preview property and to network.  I have put together many deals because of these luncheons all paid for by other agents, but on the other hand there have been deals put together on my nickel as well.  In general the agents who came to these luncheons were the same ones at each open house and fro the most part were high producers that valued networking with other agents.

Don't let a few ill mannered agents distract you from the value of these useful networking tools.

In my market most of the agents that attend open houses are the inactive ones that are looking for a free lunch.  I will usually just put out cheesecake and coffee in a "serve youreself" venue.  Many of the agents here actually publish what they are serving, so while it's rude they might have been used to that disclosure.

Well let's put it this way- one of agents called while I will in the grocery store picking up the wraps and like I said asked what I was serving- when I said a light lunch such as sandwich wraps- her response was " Hmmm well OK maybe I'll come."

That to me was obvious it was only for the food! LOL! I will not let some "bad apples" per say change my view of the professionals in our business however it just amazes me that there are people like that out there! Makes me wonder how they act and such with their clients LOL!

Besides the costly amount it has cost me to cater a luncheon style Broker's Open- I have decided for the future ones to do a Continental style- coffee and danish. This way it's not going to break my bank and no one has to call to see what is being served! LOL!

Don't worry, agents with an attitude like that can't survive long in this business...we hope.

OK, I have to ask as I have never attended one or done one, what is a broker's open? Is it an Open House for Realtors Only?  Is it better than a regular Open House?  I am really curious.

I have never been ask this.  Amazing !!

Never had anyone call to inquire about the menu, but there are usually quite a few everyweek in our area, so if you can't see them all, you do want to have a good lunch.  However, that was rude.

Oh... so the market is also down in your area , and that agent has not had a good meal in a week... nice of you to provide one. LOL.

Mary- That was great.

A broker's open is an open house for agents and brokers to attend to introduce the home to the market. It is good for networking and apparently if you are hungry.....

It's gotten soooo bad here that the Realtors will actually shop to see who has what..like a menu..then go visit the ones with the best food and best give aways.  I don't do Open Houses..and this is one of the reasons why.  I've actually seen several agents come in eat, chat and leave without looking at the entire home.

Fear factor buffet, perhaps?  He He he

Thanks for a great chuckle...that is just the height of tacky!   Then again, maybe that agent was a transplant from my market where Broker's Open are big business...there is a service that publishes all the BROs in certain zips, including the pertinent info on location, etc. AND a description of what is being served.  THAT is the first line most agents look at...who has what for lunch!  It is a hoot...catered lunches are a priority, then THEY are prioritized by who the caterer is.  Then, of course, after you fill up on lunch, you head on to the BROs with dessert and coffee.  Or, now, it's dessert and lattes and expresso.  Yes, we have agents who have invested in expresso machines for their BROs. 

The lunches are much more elaborate during cooler weather, of course, because then you get the hot food.   :-)

It's kind of crazy, BUT if you have the time to go, it is a great way to network.  I find that even though I'm in a relatively good sized metropolitan area, I run up against alot of the same agents time and time again, so building those relationships can be helpful.  When I'm slammed, I don't have time to even consider going, but when I do have the time and am in the office, I do go and it is fun. 

Now that's what I call a bunch of starving licensees!!! Best of luck.

Well we are living in tough times.  Maybe they're barely getting by.

Maureen,

Very funny...and very true!

I had an Broker open house attendee tell me when I asked why an Agent (who sais they wer ecoming)  wasn't with them...the response?.....you guessed it.....NO FODD THEY LIKED...UGH!

I think that is funny they called LOL

Although I will admit, if I don't remember to bring lunch to the office with me, and go swing past a couple houses having a Broker's Open... and then all that agent is serving is stale cookies and weak coffee... I am usually a little low on patience. And blood sugar. Peckish I suppose!

When I host one of these things, I almost always have a Progressive or group open, so agents go from one house to the next and get a bit of the meal at each house. Water at house #1, sandwiches at house #3, cake at house #6, etc. (That does work in my area, try it if you haven't- just get agents from different offices.)

And I ask for written feedback from everyone that walks in the door. I give them a feedback form and a pen and give them the lowdown and talk the perks and generally try to start a good conversation. If that isn't a big enough clue to how I want the experience to go, I have been known to say "You need to sing for your supper- I want feedback please".

Sarah- I also have a feedback form and I do also use it. I find it to be very supportive to the sellers to see it in writing what the buyer's agents think of the home. It makes it easier when it's time to talk to the sellers about either making some changes on the home or the dreadful "we need to reduce" talk.

Dan-it's a sad sad world we live in when the food isd the most important part of the open house.

Greg- We all are hungry and I have to admit that if I hear that a Broker's open has food I am interested in, make sit much easier for me to decide attend- but I do try to be supportive and go when I can regardless.

I have to admit that's the first time I've ever heard that.  i could see asking someone I knew well as a joke, but that's about it. Too funny!

OMG.. that is too funny that you were asked about the food  :)

Recently I heard a true story from a friend of mine.  He was walking around in downtown, and he had to go to the bathroom.. So he went into a McDonalds, used the bathroom and as he was walking out, one of the cashiers yelled at him and said that "Thank you for visiting McDonalds, and we'd love to see you back sometime for food, too"  :)

Mehmet-That is awful!! How many people go in and out of Mc Donalds for just the restroom and to yell that out- still unprofessional.

Jesse- No joke here!! I was just amazed and couldn't believe what I was hearing- the nerves of some people. Guess if you're not making sales you gotta eat somehow~

Maureen, I totally know it is for the food and we do drawings as well. But we just accept that comraderie and know it is part of it. We always combine the Broker's Open so that there are two or three houses involved and that helps get the agents out....but it really is the food. In our office, the guys will say "are there any Broker's opens today...I'm hungry". I don't think I can say I have ever really helped any of my listings with a "Broker's Open". I like our MLS Board caravan better. 

Jeanean- If it is within your own broker's office I could understand it a little- but when you have agents calling from another broekr's office to ask what's on the menu- I think that is crazy. I would never call an agent from another office to ask what's on the menu!! LOL!

Next time tell them cat food and hang up.  They are greedy and inconsiderate.

Trey-

LOL! I will have to do just that!!!!! LOL LOL!!!

I just stumbled on to your blog, but here in Atlanta it is not only common for agents to provided lunch...but envelopes full of cash to each agent.  It is almost impossible to have agents show up if you are not offering a cash grab bag, or bottles of wine.

If you are being serious- then I have to say then I am ashamed of the fact of having to bribe associates to attend something they should do willingly to gather information about their market area.

If you are being playful- then throw me some cash and send it to me via fax....LOL