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How Do You Increase Open House Traffic?

By Nadine Blakely

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX 1st Olympic

March 29, 2008 12:50 PM

Hello fellow AR realtors. I have a question. What are you doing to increase traffic flow at your Open Houses lately? I have some great listings that are priced well, some resale, many new construction, several all brick colonials, beautiful homes. Traditionally our Open Houses are Sundays 2-4, and yes I have one tomorrow! I have advertised, held drawings and given away Olive Garden and Lowes Gift Certificates, etc. I don't know whether its the price of gas these days or what, but the traffic at my Open Houses lately just stinks! I would love to know what some of you are doing to draw in more buyers. I wouldn't mind the outrageous cost of advertising the Open Houses so much if I knew I could pick up more buyers. We all know that's really what the O/H scenario is about most of the time. (Unless you watch too much HGTV and then you'll see "multiple offers" from every "Design to Sell" O/H). I am an optimistic person, but that doesn't happen much around here! I need to rev up these Sunday afternoons. HELP!

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Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I don't know the answer. I had an open house today and had more traffic than I have had at any in a year. Why? They saw the signs. I had a newspaper ad with photo but no visitors because of the ad. I posted it on the internet and no visitors. But they "saw the signs."

Mar 29, 2008 12:57 PM

LaNita Cates

REMAX of Joliet - Joliet, IL

I always got really good traffic to my open houses. There is no doubt in my mind that print doesn't work...I always asked people "how did you hear about the open house" and 10 out of 10 times it was signage. I overkilled on signage. You should have 10 or more signs leading people to the house.

Mar 29, 2008 12:59 PM

Mohamed Mekhimar - Accredited Buyers Rep , E-Pro - Richmond Virginia Real Estate

RE/MAX Commonwealth - Richmond, VA

Lots of signs and put them out at least 3 days ahead of time.....some people may not normally come that way because of their commutes daily but want to relocate and will perhaps come back to that open house.

I had good traffic, it was 5 families at an open house 2 weeks ago but 1 family were nosy neighbors so I did not count them ...these days 3 families are a succuess to me.

I am still seeking the answers to your question on this one.

Mar 29, 2008 01:06 PM

Kathy Torline

ERA Herman Group Real Estate - Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog 719-287-1049

I also had a an open house today with great traffic. I think the secret to a good open house is lots of signage, twice as much as you think you need.

Sometimes I add balloons to my signs to make them even more visable. I only put them out about an hour before the open house; so I don't think it is necessary to put them out days early. But I do put a sign rider on the existing sign that says "Open House Saturday 1:00-4:00pm", and I'll put the sign out on Wednesday's for a Saturday open house.

My open house today had great exposure, 10 set of people came through, and have the possibility of two listing and one buyer from it; and one couple is extremely interested in the house.

Mar 29, 2008 01:12 PM

Betty Knowles

Southwest Missouri Realty - Springfield, MO

Ready to sell? Call Betty!

I had an open house a few weeks ago in a very prestigious neighborhood and had about fifty people. It's the best one I've ever had. I had a very hard time getting information. However I blogged about it and got some very good advice.

I totally agree on signage! The more the better and I have never had success on advertising in the newspaper.

Good Luck,

Betty

Mar 29, 2008 01:28 PM

Bob Cumiskey

A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

Nadine, Good question, and I see some really good answers. I plan to use some myself. LOL. Good luck on your future Open Houses.

Mar 29, 2008 01:30 PM

Kim Dean

www.GoSimplyTexas.com - McKinney, TX

Simply Texas Real Estate - Broker/Owner

Lots of signage - lots of places online (Craigslist is free) - and, oh yeah = LOTS of signage! Our office also has an 8-ft inflatable re/max balloon that we can use for open houses.

Mar 29, 2008 02:50 PM

Nadine Blakely

RE/MAX 1st Olympic - Lynchburg, VA

Thanks to so many of you who responded to my dilemma of Open Houses. I have put out several signs already (we are allowed to put them out on Friday afternoons after 4:00 for our Open Houses, rules of our local Board of Realtors), but I can bet I will be putting out MORE signs tomorrow! THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE COMMENTS!!!

Mar 29, 2008 02:51 PM

Debbie Malone

Londeree's Real Estate & Property Management - Lynchburg, VA

From Lynchburg To The Lake (434) 546-0369

Nadine, you are one of the hardest working agents I know - I'm so proud of you my friend! Good luck on the open tomorrow.

Mar 29, 2008 04:02 PM

Thanks, Debbie! (And for teaching me everything I know about AR) Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Nadine

Mar 29, 2008 04:21 PM

Anonymous

Fred

I just had two open houses today sunday. One was good and the other a bust! I did adverise in local paper as well as craigslist. The one open house which was good everyone came as a result of the signs. However, the other not so. What we did on the good one was add to the directional a smaller rider with the address on. It sort of helped people find the street. I am still looking for a magic open house pill if anyone has it!!! LOL

Mar 30, 2008 10:13 AM

#11

Guy Hepler

Food for thought. Have your open house on Saturday. You can put many signs out Thursday and Friday catching the attention of the working class people on their way to and from work . I found that these are the people more interested for themselves and other friends. This kind of advertisement is free and mouth to mouth is the best kind of advertizing. Just food for thought.

Oct 12, 2010 02:04 PM

#12

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Nadine Blakely

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