How to Hold an Open House, Newbie Agent Tip
Continuing with my theme on open houses here is a great post for newbies and olbies alike LOL. Most look at Open Houses as a lost cause but as this post covers and I might add Opens can be a great addition to ones marketing with very little cost but you have to plan correctly and this post may shed some light on that. Be sure to subcribe to my post as I will be sharing somemore tidbits including the Open House from Hell as well as a Brokers Open that brought the house down LITTERALLY.
Charles Stallions, CRS, CSP, CBR, CDPS, SREE, EREI - 800-309-3414
Charles is a Real Estate Investor of 25 years, a Real Estate Broker for 15 years while holding several degrees in management, an expert in the buying and selling of real estate. Whether you’re buying your first home, second home, vacation home, investing in rentals, a kiddie condo for college or your dream home, buying any home is an investment in the future and you owe it to yourself to have Charles’s expertise to buy right and make the right decisions for YOU. For over the phone evaluation and NO Obligation CALL NOW!, you have OPTIONS, we have FACTS, let’s TALK
How to Hold an Open House, Newbie Agent Tip
As a new real estate agent, one of the great ways to put yourself in front of potential buyers that are actively out there looking is to hold an open house. There are lots of coaches that will give you a long list of things to do, but there are really only Four things you really need.
1. Knowledge of the market statistics and comparables for that neighborhood as well as how it compares to other areas. This can be done by pulling these from your local MLS that morning.
2. Print out of the home with pictures and statistics with your contact info on it to hand out to visitors, and know them. If possible, meet the listing agent at the home to go over the points of the home that you can highlight.
3. If you're not the listing agent, then request that they advertise it. The main areas I advertise are the public remarks section on the MLS, my website, Craig's List, Trulia, Zillow, Blogging, Facebook and Twitter. I no longer use print advertising but if this works in your local area, then this is another avenue.
4. Open house signs placed in all the entry points directing people to the open house
Those are the basics so whatever you do, don't cancel holding an open that you agreed to do because you didn't have time to do call arounds or send out invitations to the neighbors. You also don't need to bake cookies..nice touch, but not necessary.These things are great, but really not necessary for a successful open house.
Now, once you've got the basics down there are some things you'll want to do.
1. Remove the flyers from the flyer box. You do this because you want them to come IN to the house.
2. Turn on all the lights, open blinds, and situate yourself where you can see the entry.
3. Park your car in the street, preferably across the street. On a safety perspective, if you park your car in the driveway, you can be blocked in.
4. On another safety note, keep your cell phone on you. I have 911 programed into mine. I also make sure that my husband has a copy of the listing sheet and address of where my open is. Always go with your gut and have a code word that you can say that will let someone know you need them there like " Cindy, can you look in the RED file for the info on the house at 123 Elm St."
5. Ask open ended questions to get into conversation. "How did you find this open house today?"
6. Know the sign placement rules in the City that your open house is. Some don't allow balloons to be added for example.
7. Just added..Take a walk through and see if there is any jewelry, medications and or personal documents in plain view and tuck them away in a drawer for the open (remember to put them back and let the listing agent know that you did this)
Have an open house kit:
There is nothing worse than showing up to an open house and the furniture that showed
on the listing pictures are gone. I always have in my trunk:
1. Chair
2. Toilet paper (yeah, don't leave home without it)
3. Paper towels and spray cleaner
4. Calculator, pens, and writing material to take notes. I like to write down the names after introduction and make sure to use their names again.
5. Sales Agreement Contract, you just never know!
Oh..and don't forget to shut off all the lights, lock up, and put the flyers back in the box!
Remember, when you are hosting an open house, you are not only representing the sellers, but the listing agent as well. Be positive about the house. Never say anything you wouldn't say in front of the seller....after all, you just never know if the person you are talking to IS the seller or close friend of the seller.
The bottom line is that holding an open house is not rocket science. Know your statistics, be prepared, wear your name tag and greet folks with a smile. Learning the art of getting contact information takes time. Using a sign in sheet works for many, so try that. Just get out and do them!
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Cindy Westfall ABR,GRI
Prudential NW Properties
5 Centerpointe Dr, Ste. 150, Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Cell: 503-819-5241
E-Mail: cwestfallportlandrealestate@gmail.com
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Disclaimer: All views on my blog are my own and may not reflect that of Prudential NW Properties. All pictures and content are my own unless otherwise noted. Please No Copying without my permission.
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