This has been a topic of conversation between myself and several other agents lately. When I go to a listing presentation, If the seller doesn't let me get to my Marketing Plan first, they ask, Do you do open houses? I say, YES! I try to do one once a month. Then they proceed to tell me that the agent before me told them that open houses are a thing of the past. No one does open houses any more and they don't sell your house.
Now, my personal opinion about these agents are, they are crazy! There are four great reasons to hold open houses.
The first and most obvious is to sell the house. Yes, most likely you are not going to sell the house at open house. But, it only takes one buyer. It has happened, I have first hand experience. It might be one out of 50 open houses you hold, but man do you look good to your sellers when it happens. It is all about the numbers. Take the lottery for example. Your odds are something ridiculous like 1 in 10,000,000. Tell me you are not going to go and purchase a ticket at least once in your life. I know I do, because it just takes one, one winning ticket.
Second, open house is one of the best tools you have as an agent in getting new buyers. This gives you time once a week to get in front of actual live buyers. These are actual real people ready to buy. Sundays are when they are out, so you should be too. Now I know you are saying all that comes to open houses are nosy neighbors and people that are trying to get decorating ideas. However, I know several agents that have picked up buyers from open houses.
The third reason is if you are not getting any showings on the property you could generate more traffic for the seller. If there is a house that has been sitting and not getting any showings, this is a great way to get people in there. Usually, I will get between 2 and 3 couples at an open house, even if the house hasn't been shown in several weeks. They also can provide feedback that you probably need if the house is getting no showings.
The final reason to hold open house is marketing. This gives you great publicity with the neighbors in the area. If you are holding open houses, the neighbors are going to think you are great. It will give you the opportunity to meet them, even if they are the nosy neighborhood, put them on your database to keep in contact with. They will be a seller one day and this gives you an advantage when they are ready to sell.
As you can see, I am all for open houses. It is a win-win situation for you and your seller. So, if another agent says that open houses are a thing in the past, give them these reasons and see what they say.
Carley Mann
336-337-5672
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