Yes, you heard this right. A stuffed bear at an open house I had this past weekend brought me in an offer. We all have opinions on open houses as to whether we (as Realtors) should still have them or not. There have been numerous blogs here on ActiveRain discussing this very issue. For the most part we all feel that we hold these open houses primarily for the seller, for this is what they feel remember as being part of the process in selling a home. With the technology we have today buyers can see homes online faster than we can initiate an open house, so is it worth our time?
I am was part of this belief too, that open houses weren't productive, until this past weekend. I went into it thinking that for the most part, nosy neighbors would be coming by, along with potential buyers that already had representation... but I was holding out thinking maybe, just maybe I would find a person/potential buyer that would be looking for my assistance.
However, my first mission was to sell this home for my client, and I needed to think outside to get this done. This home has a nice backyard but most people coming to an open house, do just that, look at the house and not walk the property. So I had to come up with an idea to get them OUTSIDE. Earlier in the week, I noticed that there were two tree swings, which gave me an idea... I brought a LARGE stuffed bear and put tied him onto the swing. Being a breezy day, he was actually moving back and forth every so often...
When the open house began, as I thought, no one ventured outside... until this one woman caught movement out of the corner of her eye. She called her husband, and he laughed.. they saw the bear on the swing. Other people were in the house too, and they ALL went outside to take a look.. HOORAY, my idea worked. They went outside.
This stuffed bear did the treat, I got people to go out into the yard and look around. I felt like I accomplished my job. When the open house was over, I was going through the home, and turning off lights, and making sure everything was back the way it was....when my phone rang.
A Realtor on the other end said she had an offer on the property that I had the open house at. I've never had that happen before. Come to find out, it WAS the woman and husband that saw the bear in the swing. They liked the house, but the yard is what made them decide to put in a offer.
I presented the offer to my clients and IT WAS ACCEPTED. So thanks to this stuffed bear, it brought me an offer on a property...AT AN OPEN HOUSE.
I'M HAVING ANOTHER OPEN HOUSE THIS WEEKEND... GUESS WHO IS COMING WITH ME? :)
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Info about the author:
Valerie Osterhoudt is a Cromwell Connecticut Residential Realtor who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Middlesex County of CT, which includes Cromwell, Rocky Hill, Berlin, Middletown, Wethersfield, Newington, as well as all other surrounding areas. Please visit me at www.CTrealtorMLS.com for all your relocation and/or local needs.
For real estate.. all you need to know, is VALERIEO
If you're thinking about buying a home in Cromwell CT area, there are plenty of great buys in today's market. There is no better time than now to take advantage of these homes while interest rates remain at an all time low. For more information on Cromwell CT real estate's homes and/or condos please visit Johnson Real Estate to access the newest listings.
Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR - Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - 860.883.8889 cell - ValerieOhomes4u@gmail.com
Copyright © 2011 - By Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR - All rights reserved...... ***A STUFFED BEAR AT AN OPEN HOUSE, BROUGHT ME IN AN OFFER.....***
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