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The "What works?" Question

I love this question! Just when you reach a conclusion, you get surprised!

How many blogs are there on AR do open houses really work?
There was one recently. I found myself agreeing with the general comments, that they don't. I was composing another post (which will have to wait) when I received a call from a visitor who went through one of my open houses over the weekend. He's not interested in the house that was open, sigh, but would like information on others! Now, how come I can't capture buyers when I call, email and harass them? Strange things happen! What is even stranger is that the open was held on a Saturday and they drove up at 5pm. Why was I still there, you ask? Well, trying to get some family time in and my client was gone and said that my daughter could use the pool (I figured a Saturday open would be quiet), she was still having fun and I was reading (in business attire, not my swimsuit), so I left the open house signs out.

My general feelings on opens...
1) Provides a little more exposure on the listing - possibly additional advertising
2) Area & time dependent - a real hit or miss
3) An event to capture buyers
4) Sellers have very unrealistic expectations from an opens...
5) One could strike gold; find an unrepresented buyer to by subject house!

I highlighted #4 as this is the biggest drawbacks of opens, at least in my opinion!

This will be one agent that will be very happy, if I can get one sale generated from all the opens I've done on this house!

Persistance pays off, I hope!

Posted by Judi Glamb, Associate Broker, ABR on 07/10/2007 06:24 PM

Comments (3)

open houses

3 Comments on The "What works?" Question

Hi Judi

Good for you, I have the same feelings about opens typically buyers can some time waste your time, I agree with what you say in every aspect

07/10/2007 06:40 PM

by Ron Hackett, CRS,GRI,ABR,SRES,e-Pro (Coldwell Banker Heart of the Hills)

I think so many tv shows about fixing and/or selling houses and real estate, tend to focus on open houses. So it's easy as a homeowner to think about how important a open house must be. I mean every one of these tv shows - gets ready for the open house.

I think it would be important to share your experience with a seller about open houses... most buyers are using an agent and finding properties in the mls that match their interests and then scheduling appointments to see those properties at times that fit in with their schedule. If its a good fit for them, they go make appointments when it is most convenient for them etc.

07/13/2007 11:35 AM

by A Crye-Leike Blogger, Angie Vandenbergh (Crye-Leike, Realtors)

Angie - except we are not getting all that many appointments and we do get people through on the opens. I think the appoinments are few because of the price and its a river area that has been hit with 3 floods in the last 3 years. (This house wasn't hit).

07/13/2007 01:46 PM

by Judi Glamb, Associate Broker, ABR (Coldwell Banker Hearthside)

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