open houseOpen houses are like scratch off lottery tickets.  You never know what you’re going to get.

 

It doesn’t seem to matter how much preparation I do for an open houses, the turnout is completely unpredictable. 

 

When the weather is absolutely beautiful, people seem to have outdoor activities planned and open house turn out is sketchy at best.  When the Broncos game is on, it is rare to have a man through the open house. 

 

Yesterday was cold and snowy in Denver, Colorado.  My business partner, Will and I had open houses scheduled at a new Lennar community in Adonea/Cross Creek in Aurora.  We were each sitting on two new homes a few blocks from each other.  We had 14 signs strategically placed around the community not to mention all of the builder signs luring people into our area.

 

The weather was bad, but we were hoping that people may stop by since they were limited on outdoor activities.  One Couple!!!!  All afternoon and we only had one couple – and yes they already had a Realtor.

 

My love affair with open houses is quickly fading.  Like any affair – it seems fun and exciting at first – but now it is just another obligation which I am not excited about at all.  Will I toss it aside and look for something more exciting?  Probably not.  I’ll just keep playing the game and hope to win the jackpot one of these days.

 

Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate
Metro Brokers Marina Square
(303) 884-2026
www.BelindaSellsColorado.com

Belinda1126@hotmail.com

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20 Comments on Open Houses Are Like Scratch Off Lottery Tickets

OCT
09
2011
127,001 Points 2 Featured Posts

Open Houses in our area have very sparse turnout.  It seemed that people used to love open houses but in this day of the internet looking, it seems it is rare to have a good turnout.   Then you have spent money and time to be disappointed.  

Yet many homeowners want them.  We only do then when the homeowner asks because of our lack of turnout. 

1:04pm • #1
109,437 Points Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Belinda, Great post on the unpredictability of Open Houses...sometimes you win and sometimes you lose...just like the Lottery.
1:08pm • #2
1,224,909 Points 79 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Belinda,

Open houses are like real estate..depends on the community. In our area they are great ways to show the house and attract both buyers and sellers. Sellers in our hood see we are pulling out all the stops for our listings and often come in to meet me and schedule a listing appointment. The one thing I know for sure is the audience is usually current buyers or sellers or soon to be buyers and sellers. Either way they are an audience that fits my target marketing!
1:10pm • #3
514,059 Points 20 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Wow Belinda, What this talking about at first it is like a affair?  You come up with some good ones.
1:21pm • #4
586,470 Points 106 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Like Fay's location in Texas, here in Priest River, Idaho open houses have never been a good use of time. People here simply don't attend open houses.

The only benefit is the quiet time - to work on your marketing, do some research (if your laptop connection works there) or maybe relax with a good book.
1:22pm • #5
1,116,238 Points 117 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I've had good luck with open houses over the years.  I make sure all the clients know it's happening and I always say - if you're out and about stop on over - it'd be so great to see you. Most of the time 1 or 2 folks show up. They may not by buyers but they may know somebody who might be a potential buyer PLUS is a fun way to stay in touch with my A list.  We don't do opens at homes with little chance of good traffic - that's a waste of time for all.  We also invite all the neighbors - and I love it when I get a chance to meet them too.  One other thing we've done - is hold 'business mixers' at a new listing (if the home is appropiate for such and event) - and that has alwasy proved to be successful. 20 to 35 or so people, see the home and that's a lot of possibilities right there - exponential!
3:44pm • #6
638,765 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Faye,  Good point about the web surfers.  It does seem that turnout was so much better years ago.
4:23pm • #7
638,765 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Carlotta.  You hit it on the head.  It is a 50/50 shot that you will have a good turnout
4:24pm • #8
638,765 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Dorie,  That is certainly the hope and the reason for doing them.  We have picked up business off of them - but it is rare.  Just have to keep scratching.
4:24pm • #9
638,765 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Will,  My mind goes funny places you might say.  Glad that I can keep you amused.
4:25pm • #10
638,765 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Marte,  I worked on some projects I am doing for Christmas so it was a welcome quiet time for me.  Will was bored to tears.
4:26pm • #11
638,765 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Anna,  You are right.  Getting the word out is so important.  Past years we used to walk door hangers in the neighborhood a few days ahead of time.  Maybe its time for back to basics.
4:26pm • #12
499,369 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Open houses are really unpredictable in my market too. And impossible to predict if good weather will bring people out or if they'll be too busy playing! But once in a while that "lottery ticket" has a winner...
4:56pm • #13
416,376 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Belinda, some people have great success with open houses.  I am like you...usually minimal turn out and I wear out the carpet pacing.  I could never be a new home sales rep. 
6:29pm • #14
585,988 Points 46 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Belinda -

I had to re-post as your blog nailed the very reason I do not do open houses.  I hope you have a good nights rest and a bright Monday ahead of you.

Best regards from The Q

 
10:08pm • #15
523,937 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Great Analogy, Belinda.  

    I was thinking, "Crapshoot",  but  Scratch-Off Lotto says it better.

 
10:41pm • #16
201,522 Points 7 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Open houses in our area are completely predictable, no one ever shows.  I've been in business for 25 years and find that open houses are only good for possibly having someone in the neighborhood who wants to sell thier house and wants to do it ineffectively to call me to list their house.
10:52pm • #17
OCT
10
2011
254,060 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Belinda-a lot of people play the lottery, or play craps...and some wind big, but you're right, you just never know. It seems to be one tool in your kit, to pull out when the time is right...it's a surprise when I hear the word 'never', though.
12:05am • #18
151,805 Points 4 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Belinda - Public Open Houses have never been very popular in my area.  I offer to do 1 Open House for my Seller's and that's it.  It is a gamble on the turnout, you are right, you never know what you're going to get.  I refuse to hold Open Houses on Sunday's during football season.  If they want an Open House, then it will have to be on the Panther's Bye Week or on a Saturday.    We also build New Construction, and sometimes I will put out signs and just leave the door of the house unlocked and leave a note that I can be reached by phone if there are any specific questions.  I just ask folks to sign-in and leave their information if they want to.
2:28pm • #19

I bought my condo at an open house. I went over there during halftime of a football game and missed the whole third quarter!
11:38pm • #20


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