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Open House

By Kim Wilbourn

Real Estate Agent with Kim Wilbourn Realty

October 07, 2007 01:42 PM

I worked so hard this week getting prepared for two Open Houses. I done all the prep work before hand, and advertised, put out 8 directional signs with 2 balloons on each sign. This was alot of work, and I didn't have nobody come by either one of them. This was alot of work that most sellers don't realize. I love doing them if I had some traffic come through. I will keep doing them because eventually one day it will pay off for me. I want let this get me down. I have to stay motivated, and I always think to myself even though there is no traffic coming through that other people in the neighborhood see me out there ever Saturday and Sunday working so hard that when they decide to sell they will call me first!

Does anyone else feel this way?

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Vicky Poe

Good Ole Rocky Top - Crossville, TN

Realtor/ Auctioneer

I commend you for being positive. Open Houses have not been very good to me. Consider if your time could be better spent with something with better results. What ever you do best of luck to you.

Oct 07, 2007 01:54 PM

Bill Gillhespy

16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL

Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Kim, Lots of different thoughts on doing " Opens " on this board. The neighbors will remember you better if you include them in your contacts. Knock on several doors on both sides of the " Open " and inviter them too. Remember, each " NO" puts you one closer to the next "YES" ! Good selling to you.

Oct 07, 2007 01:55 PM

Kim Wilbourn

Kim Wilbourn Realty - Scottsboro, AL

Your Local Alabama REALTOR

I try to be positive, and stay motivated in this business but sometimes it is real hard.

Oct 07, 2007 02:00 PM

Terry Osburn

BHHS|Drysdale Properties - Pleasant Hill, CA

Broker Associate

Depending on the market, open houses are not always the best use of your time. I would check with the other realtors in the area to see how their open homes have been.

You might want to stagger days. Sometimes just throwing up signs during the week can bring in potential buyers.

In our area, open houses have been pretty dead for weeks with some exceptions in certain neighborhoods with the area.

Just a sign of the fallen market for now. It will pick back up. When? I still suspect a year or so but you don't throw in the towel as there are still qualified buyers looking to purchase now.

Have you done an invitation to open house to the neighbors? That would be cool...You never know they might come up with a buyer for you...

Oct 07, 2007 02:09 PM

Anthon Pang

iPro Realty Ltd., Brokerage - Toronto, ON

Broker

Not a single soul? Not even a nosy neighbour? Oh dear. But you're right, you shouldn't let it discourage you.

I thought my worst Open House was scheduling one the day before a stat holiday (the July 1st long weekend) -- I got 1 visitor (albeit a couple who expressed strong interest but never panned out as buyers) . But I recently had an Open House on the Labour Day long weekend, and it was one of the strongest turnouts I'd ever had.

Oct 07, 2007 02:10 PM

I walked around the neighborhood and invited all the neighbors, and the ones that were not home I left a invitation on their door. This weekend was the Parade of Homes, and I think that could have affected it, but thought with that going on I would have traffic. I think everyone went to the Parade of Homes instead or they could have been watching the Race!

Oct 07, 2007 02:12 PM

Christy Harvey

Keller Williams First Coast Realty - Orange Park, FL

The BEST turnout that I ever had at an Open House was inviting the neighbors AND having a yard sale. The rule of thumb is if you can get 7 people at your Open House, you will get at least 1 customer ready to buy or sell a house. 1 lead out of 7...is great!

I've done 4 Open houses and the successful ones were the ones with special invites and a yard sale! The yard sale, however, is a lot of work to organize so what I did was invited church folks to come and have a yard sale at the property along with my own stuff. I made $75 at the yard sale, the church people made money, too AND I got a couple of leads.

Win-win for everyone!

Don't hold an Open House though with the expectation that you are going to sell that particular house. It happens, but it's rare!

Good luck!

Oct 07, 2007 02:21 PM

True! Never thought of having a Yard Sale.

Oct 07, 2007 02:23 PM

Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

It looks like things have truly changed in the real estate industry. So many people "look" on line! As a realtor(r) I have tried to stop by some open houses to preview them for potential clients -- In our area several firms have joined together to adverstise a Parade of homes -- I hear this has been a bit more sucessful and cuts down on costs.

Oct 07, 2007 02:24 PM

This was the Madison County Association of Builders 50th Anniversary this weekend so this is all new construction homes that was in the Parade of Homes. It is a big deal when they have this every year.

Oct 07, 2007 02:28 PM

Chrissy Harrison

Referral Only Realty - Longmont, CO

Keep trying Kim. Some days I don't have any visitors and others I have tons - same house, same time, same day of the week. Go figure - at least it keeps your seller happy. You could search "Open House" in the archives of AR - there have been many great posts on the topic.

Oct 07, 2007 03:22 PM

Andrew Trevino

ADT Real Estate - Wilkes Barre, PA

Wilkes-Barre Homes For Sale

Kim,

Open Houses are hit or miss. It sounds like you did the right things, but the chemistry just wasn't right. I have had Opens where I had 15 people come through and I've had the complete busts. It really depends on the people. Just keep hanging in there, don't forget to get the neighbors involved and try to have fun.

Oct 12, 2007 10:30 PM

Inna Ivchenko

Barcode Properties - Encino, CA

Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Open houses are neither pointless nor powerful, but they do have their place in a marketing plan and many clients expect them. Some of them are like that~ not attended( do use online marketing and the great pictures are the must).

Sep 02, 2015 05:19 PM

I had open houses like that. Usually, it is a house in the hills or a property that is for sale for a couple of month. I actually had recently one like that. Not even one person came. Such a waste of time. But because my marketing, we were requested 3 showings for the next day and received a good offer as a result.

Have faith, there is nothing going unnoticed.

Oct 26, 2015 02:30 PM

Open House

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