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Open House Visitors "Be Like....."

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Real Estate Agent with Flat Fee Etc. Real Estate SA659305000

Open House Visitors "Be Like....."

 

Is it what I am wearing?  Do I smell bad?  Am I really that ugly? Maybe I didn't get the right flavor of cookies?  I don't know?  Did I do something wrong?  Another open house is in the books and I still don't understand open house visitors.  The other days open house left me thinking again.  Although it was successfull it wasn't without its strange moments.  Here were some of my experiences.  How many of you can relate?

The greeting:  When someone walks into my open house I greet with a smile, a handshake,  and maybe some animation.  Sometimes the return gesters I recieve are confusing and many just down right rude.  I guess I just have some serious pet peeves? One of my biggest pet peeves is a handshake.  To me this has always been really straight forward.  You look someone in the eyes, stretch out your hand, and shake firmly.  So what is the deal with "limp noodle grip"?  A hand shake involves two parties, not one.  Sometimes I can stretch out an open hand and it's like they were offended that I introduced myself.  Come on dude, I washed my hands like last week! :-) Maybe if I texted them?  Like hey, welcome, my name is....do you have any questions??? Has technology really affected our social skills that much already?  

Mute Visitors:  I've always been good at getting anyone to talk, but some people now days need there cell phone to respond.  Why do some people think that it's ok to answer open ended questions with a yes or no?  We're all adults here, can't we talk like one?  I'd go ahead and text them my question, but they probably gave me a bogus phone number anyway?   

Tracking:  This particular house I was sitting was a 4,600 square foot home on an acre , and so I do admit that it was a little harder to track the people in the house.  However, I swear some people intentionally try and avoid the realtor.  Since when did buying a house become like buying a car?  It's not like a high pressured sales presentation is really going to make a difference.  A home purchase is not quite an impulsive buy situation, or at least not to me anyway.  I'm just doing my clients a favor by keeping an eye on you, "a stranger" roaming my clients house.  You never know when someone is going to get sticky fingers, and when you try and play hide and go seek with me, it makes me worried.

Pretend buyers:  You got to love the pretend buyers.  They be like "yea, we live near by", and then I be like, do you mean 2 doors down?  You do know I saw you come out of your house and walk across the street right?  I don't generally mind the noisy neighbor, especially because they could have a friend or family member that wants a home near them. However, there are two things that can bug me. Sometimes they bring their kids with them and let them roam around while eating my cookies and getting crumbs all over.  I have 4 kids of my own, I love kids, but you should understand that someone went through a lot of trouble to get their home open house ready.  Why not make your kids eat the cookies outside?  I also don't mind chit chat, but when a real potential buyer comes in, maybe stop talking so I can do some actual work.  

Goodbye:  Maybe say goodbye when leaving.  At least let me know that you have gone so that I don't wonder if your hiding in the home.  I did give you cookies and drinks, so it's the least you could do.  Plus it's kind of creepy!  

Open houses are not my favorite, but they are a successful tool for real estate pros.  Maybe some of you have ideas that work well for your open houses? And maybe you wouldn't mind sharing?  Or maybe I am just a wierdo and I need some serious personality help?  LOL!!  

 

The Myers
www.gilbertcommunities.com

   

   

 

Comments (4)

Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I've been holding open houses lately although I find they are usually a waste of time Colby & Michele Myers the folks here usually are friendly.

Oct 26, 2015 11:19 AM
Gilbert Real Estate Experts: Colby & Michele Myers

Hi Bob "RealMan" Timm , we put up 50 signs when we do the open houses.  So we generally get 20-25 families strolling through in about 3 hours.  

Oct 26, 2015 01:28 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Hi Colby & Michele, it sounds like you have had some interesting open houses.  I have had my share of those as well.  But I have been lucky in most of mine, finding a buyer/tenant for the houses.

Oct 26, 2015 11:55 AM
Gilbert Real Estate Experts: Colby & Michele Myers

Hi Bob Crane we have been lucky enough to find many buyers through open houses and the occasional seller, but not without some strange stories.

Oct 26, 2015 01:26 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

I had an open house this past weekend and all it allowed me to do was watch the football game uninterrupted

Oct 26, 2015 12:19 PM
Gilbert Real Estate Experts: Colby & Michele Myers

Hi Ed Silva , thats what I call a Huge success!!!    

Oct 26, 2015 01:23 PM
Fred Cope
Reliant Realty in Nashville, TN - Nashville, TN
Looking For Homes With A Smile

Colby & Michelle, thank you for following me.  It is an honor to welcome you.  Enjoyed your post, and perhaps I can address one or your pet peeves, because in years past it puzzled me.  For 32 years, I was the guy in the church vestibule with a Bible tucked under his left arm, and shaking hands as everyone exited at the end of worship: I was a pulpit minister for several different congregations. I have memories of many wet dishrag handshakes.  You know that "ooh do I have to touch this thing" two finger grip?  There was one dear sweet sister in particular that I worried I might injure her dainty limp hand.  I wondered if it was me--was I offensive, etc.  At one point she was hospitalized and I went to visit her.  Her shyness was not present, and her usual three word comment was absent.  She chatted for more than twenty minutes, and I was flabbergasted.  When she return to worship, she invited my wife and child home for dinner.  She had been timid and unsure, but my family g time to visit told her I was interested in her as a person.  It gave her value, and she felt equal.  I had no idea, and no thought of superiority.  Being one on one was the signal to her.

 

I have known others who did not see themselves as aggressive, so there is more than one reason; but her act got me past the awkwardness and I have never been knocked off my stride for such since.  I seem to make warm eye contact a D smile, as you described.  I may let the handshake slide if they appear uncomfortable.  I have been around women who as part of their religious beliefs try to avoid eye contact and touching of other men.  I try to take that ii  stride and respectful.  Despite best efforts, there will be uncomfortable monents.  On one occasion, a man tended to stand less than two feet in frobt of ny face, abd everytime I attempted ti create soace, he ended up in my space.  I took him into the conference room and had a table between us.  It turned out that his eyesight was limited and be was attempting to focus on what I was saying.  I never felt comfortable, but was no longer threatened by him.  You never know what  your day will hold.

 

Have a great day.  Following you 

 

Fred

Oct 29, 2015 05:16 AM