User15620_7_t Todd Clark (Realtor), GRI (Your Washington Co. Real Estate Expert)
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Are you holding an open house on a cold and rainy day, like the one we are having here today in Beaverton, Oregon, and seem to have everyday during the winter? If you have never been to the Pacific Northwest during the winter, let me give you an idea what almost everyday is here.

You get up to it being about 35° and raining, never quit cold enough to snow, but just enough that it makes it very miserable when it comes time to walk the dog at 6am. This weather continues from about October 1st - April 1 every year and boy is it fun.

Well, we still have to sell homes and sometimes it is the little things that make a difference in selling a home. Today the home I was holding open always seems to get the question, "is that a gas or wood burning fireplace?" So today, I decided to show everyone and bought a six hour Presto log, plenty time to show it is a real fireplace and make it through the entire open house.

What a difference it has made! This home is staged and looks wonderful, but when you walk in and see a fire going it really made the place look amazing and I hope to report by the end of the day that we have an offer, just because the people felt like they were home.

The first two reactions to the fire were "this place looks amazing", and, "love the fire, it makes me just want to stay". Yes, I got their name and numbers because this was a little out of their price range, but I think I have a couple other places that I can show them on Monday that will be exactly what they are looking for.

                                              
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So, come on over and sit by the fire with me and together we can write and offer by the fire instead of standing out in the cold and wet weather that we call winter.



Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

                                                    

 

10 Comments on $2.10 change my open house and the attitudes of those coming in

That is really making your marketing dollars work for you. I agree, what a difference a fire in a fireplace makes. 

 

Sal Poliandro - Bergen County Realtor   

12/29/2007 06:43 PM by Bergen County Realtor, Sal Poliandro, SRES, ePRO, Short Sale Specialist (RE/MAX Properties)


Todd, good for you. Smart people = smart money. And that was a smart move. Good luck. Hope to hear you have a an offer on the table.

12/29/2007 06:59 PM by Michael Tarabotto (Certified Appraiser) Santa Clarita, San Fernando, Westside (California Appraisal Solutions Corp.)


What a good idea!  I may try that one later this month at one of my open houses.  Well, when I do an open house.  I hate them, but they are a necesary evil at times, I suppose....  I guess a fire in the fireplae could only help my attitude about them, right?

12/30/2007 12:44 AM by Marlene Scheffer, Realtor to Kitsap County, WA (Realty Station)


Todd, That is a great idea!  We get some cold days here but it is usually sunny so the fire probably wouldn't do me much good but I love the idea anyway!

12/30/2007 12:49 AM by Roberta LaRocca REALTOR® Las Vegas Broker - Salesperson (Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace)


Therre is nothing like a fire in the fireplace when doing an open house. I love having them no matter if they are woo or gas. Not sure i like the weather in your neck of the woods. If it is cold I much prefer snow to rain. There is nothing more difficult to bear than cold rain. Brrrrrrr.

12/30/2007 12:40 PM by Judy Tuscano, NH Real Estate Professional (Prudential Verani Realty)


you are very wise Mr. Clark ;-) Good move on your part. I could definitely see how that would have a very nice impact on the homes. Especially with our lovely Oregon weather...

 

kudos to you!     

01/03/2008 10:40 AM by Rick Grand (nowhere)


I bet a fire would be a welcoming sight for those braving the weather to tour homes!  The nice thing about doing open houses in Maui is the weather is always warm, but you do have the occasional rain shower which is inconvenient when collecting all your signs!

01/03/2008 10:47 AM by Maui Real Estate - Lisa B. Miller R(S) (Keller Williams Realty Maui)


Hey I wish our homes had a fireplace.......oh well.....but your idea was perfect....it truly is the small things that can make some of the biggest impacts.

01/03/2008 10:49 AM by Kathy McGraw ~ Calif Broker (CELLing Realty)


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Real Estate Agent: Todd Clark (Realtor), GRI (Your Washington Co. Real Estate Expert) (Kastings & Associates)
Todd Clark (Realtor), GRI (Your Washington Co. Real Estate Expert)
Beaverton, OR
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Kastings & Associates

Office Phone: (503) 524-9494
Cell Phone: (503) 524-9494
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