OPEN HOUSES. . . DO THEY WORK OR DO YOU ACCEPT THE NAR STATISTICS??

Lenn, I have had great open houses and boring ones.  I actually got my first client at an open house.  I think for the most part they are a good idea.  This past weekend I had a very successful open house.  I think some of the keys to a successful open house is a high traffic area, a home that is priced right and a cooperative seller.  If my clients want an open house, then I will do them.  I won't do them alone for safety reasons so I have a lender/friend do them with me which works out great.  Buyers can get their lending questions answered and I can show them around the house.  Open houses are good for new and seasoned agents.  Some additional benefits I get is I meet great people and potential clients, and I can brush up on my social skills.  It does take a lot of work to have a successful open house.  Great post and comments!

No, I don't believe open houes work for selling the listing itself, however, if you are tyring to pick up other business, it could get you some leads.   Virtually, a wast of time, to let your seller think that he/she could sell their home through this.  2-4% chance that the person looking at that particular house will actually puchase that house.

I believe! I believe! Of course, I better, or I'm with the wrong company. For many of the positive reasons mentioned above (yes, even including selling the listing, which we've done on more than one occasion), the Weichert franchise actively promotes open houses, uses them as a competitive advantage, has the studies and statistics to back it up and has detailed training and procedures about how to conduct them... before, during and after.

I have an idea! For those who don't think Open Houses "don't work," you stay home! I'll sell the house and take the potential buyers who walk through the door unrepresented! So, is it a deal?!

Like so many things we do, it is up to us. Not everything is everyones cup of tea, but, one thing is certain. Simply said - You get out of it what you put in!

Lenn, I know I'm just repeating some of the experiences of the others, but I have had recent success with open houses......most recently about 2 weeks ago where I had 13 buyers attend one of mine (ran out of information packets because 3-5 has been the average) and I received a call that night from one of them.  Received a full price offer and it was accepted by the sellers.   I think the key is to have the home priced properly.......if buyers think it's a good deal, they will come!!  Of course, they don't all go that way, but I think it's definitely worth having them.

I have held many public open houses in the past, and try as I might to follow the successful formulas, none produced a buyer or a even a good prospective lead.  I get the same feedback from fellow agents, who just continue to do them to please sellers.  I think it's fair for me to say that open houses are not well-received or well-attended in my neck of the woods.

Hi Lenn,

It definitely depends on your region's traditions; in the San Francisco Bay Area buyers flock to open houses on Sundays. Undoubtedly agents started doing open houses to compete with new development sales offices way back when there were new developments. The tradition has stuck and since buyers are willing to sacrifice their Sunday so are agents. My ancillary goal at any series of open houses is to meet one new buyer and one new seller. That usually happens over a span of several open houses for each listing.

I spent last year in Austin, Texas. Open houses were a complete waste of time there. Hardly anyone shows up-there's just no buyer participation.

If your area does not traditionally support open houses your job is much more difficult to get buyers to attend.

Many agents get "upset" when the subject comes up, and I imagine that some are angry because their entire listing presentation is geared towards convincing sellers that open houses are worthless so they can have Sundays to do more productive work-or take the day off.

to share, I have been utilizing auction style open houses and am averaging 1.5-2 sighned buyers per open house.  It's phenomenal!

Congratulations on your sucess with Open Houses. 

I do not base my marketing around Open Houses; however, I know that what works for one will not work for someone else.  You prove that Open Houses are what you make them.  I always enjoy hearing from someone with a different approach. 

Good job.

To say open houses dont work is to say cold calling, door knocking and mailers dont work. Same thing, depends on your variables and quality of the sales agent or flyer.

Great post and great comments! I for one intend to do more open houses.