I've heard from a lot of Realtors that love open houses, and a lot that hate them.  The one consistent thing I do hear however, is that they rarely generate a sale.  It seems that the personal touch is going to be required more and more moving into this upcoming year.  While an open house can  garner some attention, you can't rely on a buyer walking in the door.

Gary - I've stepped up to the debate table with a blog of my own.  Thanks for the opporunity.
I'll say it here, too.  I love Open Houses.

Gary - I've stepped up to the debate table with a blog of my own.  Thanks for the opporunity.
I'll say it here, too.  I love Open Houses.

Uh...I'm still doing them! Dan...you really can't say this is a nationwide thing because it isn't. Some places it works...some it doesn't...it depends on your market and neighborhood!

Tim - I have the same understanding.

Nancy - I think you mean a "post" of your own.  Sorry, that's just a pet peeve of mine.  I appreciate your input.  Why do you love open houses?

Sally - Where you live the "hurricanes" spin backwards so it isn't surprising to me that open houses work there.  It's the "backwards" thing I think.

Pet peeve accepted.  My response was long so I created a BLOG POST ;-) to say my piece.  Go check it out!
Bottom line is I'm selling houses.

Funny Dan...but hey...you just may have something there.....lightning goes across the sky ...rarely down.... lol!

Open Houses require a lot of preparation and planning to be done right, and most people who believe in open houses don't want to do it!

Anyway, open houses are a season item here in Michigan.. and this time of the year presents a good time to hold an open house if you like sit and watch a NFL game on the client's big screen ;-) 

Actually spring and summer are the best times here.  Good Point and Great Post!

Dan...Used them affectively when I worked in Northern Virginia...don't do them where I am now.  We (many other agents and myself) have tried them off and on over the years here at the lake and have never had good results.  Even when we have several homes open at the same time and have advertised heavily it doesn't bring even lookers (well, maybe one or two from the neighborhood).

Hope you have better luck if you hold them.

Kathleen

Nancy - I read your post. You are welcome for the inspiration.

Sally - Maybe we are the ones who are backwards.

Daniel - You make a good point.  Even most of those who believe in open houses don't want to do them.

Kathleen - Do you suppose it's a geographical thing.  Do they work in some areas and not in others.  That would be strange.

Dan- Well, you already know, I do NOT do them. They are NOT the highest and best use of an agent's time. New agents may like them to get some prospects but  I still that is not the best way to get buyers either. It is one of those things that is archaic in our business that agents want to hold on to doing because it is what they know. Now, there are markets and neighborhoods where they still work like in Sally's Hawaii, because of the nature of the people there being so friendly and connecting that way. But overall, it is old and we need to be in with the new. Katerina

I've worked in two markets and I haven't had much success selling a home at an Open Houses.  I must admit that when I first started practicing real estate 8 years ago, my first sale was at an open house.  I said to myself then, wow is this all I have to do to sell real estate?  Boy was I in for a reality check...lol. Then I later learned that I was just lucky and that there are more productive and cost effective ways to find a Qualified Buyer for my sellers. 

LOL!

Frankly, I'd rather spend my time calling and popping by my SOI clients, or stopping at an Expired listing.  Much better return on my time!

In the right context an open house can be a great tool.  I think that is the biggest mistake agents are making.  We think every tool is for every situation.  There is no one solution.  In the Boston area open houses are a great tool with the condo markets.  I own a condo with 128 units and there are always more then one of the same unit for sale.  Open houses in condos will feed on the traffic that is already there.  What an opportunity!  There have been three sales that I know of in our condo building that have been made simply because someone came in to look at another unit.  The home seekers found a condo that fit their needs i.e. maybe on a different floor, facing a different side etc.

 To dismiss open houses as a tool altogether is a mistake Dan.

Katerina - You are a successful, highly productive agent who undestands the highest and best use of time.  And, Open Houses aren't it, as you point out.

Wayne - You have found better ways to find buyers.  Thanks for your comment.

Sally - Thanks for the world's shortest comment.

Marlene - Now, there's an effective use of time.

Matthew - You miss the point.  I do think agents may find a buyer to sell some house to.  The point is that Open Houses do not 99% of the time sell the house being held open.

If you haven't done so, please see this one: The Origin of Open Houses and Why They DON'T Work Today: The Last Word

Hi Dan:  I have a comment regarding the answer you gave to Kathleen above.  Here is your comment to her:

Kathleen - Do you suppose it's a geographical thing.  Do they work in some areas and not in others.  That would be strange.

No Dan... the fact that they work in some areas and not in others... is not strange... it is normal.  Sheesh.

All markets are different.  Yes, some things don't vary much... area to area... but some things do.  IF you have not sold in Kathleen's market, how can you possibly dispute what she has found to be true... in her area ?  And since it appears you like to correct people... you forgot the question mark in your question to her. 

Karen - Thanks for sharing.  I appreciate your help with the question mark.  And, I'll stand by my comment. Real estate sales practices are quite universal with very little variance.  I'll allow each agent to evaluate what works in their market, who am I to say? I guess NAR is wasting their time with their survey....see http://activerain.com/blogsview/296581/The-Origin-of-Open

Dan:  How about this:  Many real estate sales practices are quite universal, but some can vary, in keeping with what works in certain local markets ?

And... you'll "allow" each agent to evaluate their market ?  How wonderful of you.  It appears your magnanimity is exceeded only by your personal charm, I am sure.  And yes, I like to share.

Karen - Gee, you not feel it necessary to point out my lack of a question mark, but now you want to write my own thoughts for me, and parse words. Why don't I just give you my login and password and you can write my blog?

Earlier you called my defense "rude."  I would say that you definitely crossed into the "rude" territory with your comment above. 

I do use sarcism, but I am not rude.  There's a big difference.

What amazes me, is that when someone can't defend their position with reason, they resort to personal attacks.  Oh, well...

Dan:  May I suggest that taking a vacation might do you some good ?  LOL.  And, no, my above comment is just sarcasm... and... you spelled sarcasm... sarcism... LOL.  And you seem to have forgotten a word in your first sentence. <grin>  I can play the sarcasm game with the best of them, my friend.  Be my guest !

Also... whether a comment is rudeness or sarcasm... appears to be in the eyes of the beholder.  It also appears I've got you a bit "riled."  Have fun... my dear.  Have a great day !

And... I was not attacking you... I was simply questioning your methods.  There is a difference.  It appears you can give criticism more easily than you can receive criticism.  You might want to work on that, too.  But, I digress.  Once again... have a great day !  Take care...

Sheesh, Karen - I guess I didn't use the spell check. How do you manage the job of correcting everybody else so perfectly? You even posted your comment three times. 

Hi again, Dan:  I rarely if ever correct anyone.  It's really not my style.  But in your case, I was just joining in the fun you seemed to be having... with your very own brand of sarcasm... with just a taste of my own.  It's a tough job, but someone had to stand up here.  I simply volunteered.

I think I am done here, Dan.  You take care now.  Have a Great Day !  Happy Blogging...

Dan - I will let you Karen have your debate.  Here is my point:

Saying " Less than 1% of Buyers find the house they purchase by means of an Open House and  Only 2% of buyers are found by conducting an Open House "  may be fact - but that is like listening to the Media tell us how "TERRIBLE THE MARKET IS".

And yes - all these things are true IN SOME MARKETS - SOME CITIES and some neighborhoods.

In some parts of DC - I have averaged 40 people into a Sunday Open House in a 2-hour window.  I picked up 2 buyers and sold 2 of my listings from buyers who came to open houses (and had no agent).

Are Open a waste in some areas of the country - maybe.  But then I am not an expert on other cities.

James - I don't expect DC to be normal in real estate, James. It isn't normal in anything else (LOL).