Special offer

Have you tried hosting a Virtual Broker Open?

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Properties, Inc., ABR, GRI, SRES

Broker Open Houses can be valuable when you have a good turnout.  It gives agents a chance to preview your listing and provide feedback for your sellers.  This feedback can be especially helpful when you are not receiving showings, therefore no feedback.  There are times when Broker Open Houses can be a flop though.  Due to lack of advertising, location, or inclement weather. 

I recently held a Broker Open House that didn't have a great turnout.  Even though the home located in a desirable area, I think agents felt it was too much of a drive from the main area of town.

Although it's not the same as physically previewing a property, I decided to hold a Virtual Broker Open House.  I sent out an email to all 250 agents in my office with a link to the property listing in the MLS which also has links to a video slide show, virtual tour, and photos.  Then, I requested agents click on another link that takes them to a list of questions about the property including price, condition, presentation, etc...

I give the agents a few days to attend my Virtual Broker Open and those who provide feedback are entered into a drawing for a prize.  This provides another avenue to get your listing more exposure and obtain a professional opinion of the home from your colleagues.

I was able to create a questionnaire using SurveyMonkey which is super easy to use.  SurveyMonkey provides a link to send out via email and collects all of the responses to my questionnaire as well.

Benefits to a Virtual Broker Open House:

1.) No need for the seller to leave their home

2.) You don't hassle with catering

3.) Agents have the convenience to attend when they are able

4.) Another set of eyes to point out any errors in your listing information on the MLS or feedback on photos, property description, etc...

5.) More feedback from more agents = Happy Sellers

Patricia Beck – Selling Colorado Springs Homes

Comments (32)

Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

Patricia-Sounds like a great idea to gain some feedback; however, I read Carla's comments and agree a little.  I also read your response.  That being said, I think this is an out of the box idea for an open house and kudos to you for doing it :)!

Aug 17, 2013 12:14 PM
Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528
Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY
Real Estate Salesperson

Sounds like a great idea and alternative for those times when an actual brokers open won't work.  Do you do a special kind of walk thru video or just the standard photos and video posted on the MLS?

Aug 17, 2013 12:35 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

This sounds like one more tool to put in the tool box.  I think it would depend on the property and how closely the photos represent the house.  Often the photos tend to leave out some things the buyer may perceive as a negative.

Aug 17, 2013 01:00 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

In my case I host Feng Shui seminars in the same vein. :)

Aug 17, 2013 01:49 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Very interesting!  We did something like this for the RE/MAX Northeast Valley Tour when the housing market was still in decline. Agents loved it and it saved everyone from getting out in the heat, using gas, and was less time consuming.  

Aug 17, 2013 03:47 PM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

Thanks for a good strategy to try, however some things can only be experienced in person-such as the cat litter odor, utility tower across the street, etc.

Aug 17, 2013 03:55 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M
Patricia - that's a good idea,and a way to help your clients.
Aug 17, 2013 04:38 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

It's a great idea. What was the response from the agents you contacted?

Aug 17, 2013 09:43 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Patricia, I think this is an excellent way to give a home additional visibility when you can't or it isn't feasible to do a Broker's Open. good job!

Aug 17, 2013 11:17 PM
Jeff Stevens
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Mexico Properties - Las Cruces, NM
Jeff Stevens, Associate Broker/REALTOR

Patricia, this is such a great and inspired idea! I have a home that I was going to do a Brokers Open for this week but now I'm re-thinking that because of its location. This Virtual Brokers Open is PERFECT for this property. Man, I love AR! Thank you so much, Patricia! 

Aug 18, 2013 12:12 AM
Matt Kombrink
One Source Realty - Geneva, IL
Your #1 Source For Real Estate

Patricia, I haven't tried this.  Great idea, and way to use technology to your advantage.  I'm surprised you had such a good response from agents.  Something to consider in the future, thanks!

Aug 18, 2013 01:42 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Well, maybe I will try this & see what happens.  As far as feedback, I can give what comments I can from what I see. An example would be:  purple carpet say.  What's to know about changing purple carpet?  Another agent did something like this & I thought  the livingroom bookcases looked cluttered, etc.

Good idea about the gift card ....

 

Aug 18, 2013 02:01 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Do buyers even ask that question?  I thought you had your virtual open for brokers in your office to get their two cents, for whatever that's worth.  The answer to why a home hasn't sold, be it asked by a buyer or a broker, can be so vast and varied and I wonder what that has to do with your post about doing virtual opens.  Two separate topics, IMHO.  There is no way that feedback can be given without having toured it. 

Aug 18, 2013 03:03 AM
David Shamansky
US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO
Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

WOW now that's a KILLER idea and way to sue technology. I am not a huge fan of open houses for many reasons but in this format LOVE IT

Aug 18, 2013 03:05 AM
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

LOVE this idea - what prize did you offer? We usually cater broker opens and that runs somewhere between $50 and $100 so I'd be content to offer a gift certificate for dinner, maybe?

Aug 18, 2013 04:33 AM
Patricia Beck
RE/MAX Properties, Inc., ABR, GRI, SRES - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realty

As mentioned in an earlier response, to answer your questions regarding response/turnout....I am going to try it again but had around 30 responses with the first one.  I think when more become familiar with it, my response rate will increase. Those who provide feedback are entered into a drawing for a $75 gift card.

Aug 18, 2013 04:48 AM
Patricia Beck
RE/MAX Properties, Inc., ABR, GRI, SRES - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realty

Carla - I've had many many buyers ask that question when they see days on market being longer than other homes in the area (and it's not even that long!), homes are moving fast here so buyers often ask why a home they have interest in hasn't been snagged up already.  You're right, that is tough without touring the home especially if the reason is due to something that can only be experienced by touring the home in person (one commenter mentioned odors) but it could be something more obvious such as price or area of town.  Of course it is better to actually tour the home but many agents are not attending broker open houses anymore so turnout is poor. 

Aug 18, 2013 04:55 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Patricia,  With all due respect, I would never render an opinion on a home based upon a virtual tour ... NEVER. The only way I would rendered an opinion is if I were to physically walk through the home, see it, and smell it. I'd also want to see all reports, inspections and disclosures prior to rendering an opinion.  

Aug 18, 2013 05:35 AM
Jeanne Dufort
Coldwell Banker Lake Country - Madison, GA
Madison and Lake Oconee GA

Your idea may work well for reminding agents to give your listing a closer look - and that COULD lead to a preview or showing.  But feedback, especially value opinions - without an onsite visit, I would not want to add my two cents.

Aug 18, 2013 08:14 AM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

#31 is laughable, I would never say never. we give opinions all the time to friends, neighbors etc. I wished you had a link to it I think it is a wonderful idea and since most buyers these days look at tours before they visit a home I would think it would be perfect.

Aug 25, 2013 01:00 PM