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The Value of an Open House in the DC Metro Area

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Capital Properties DC AB15253

Are you thinking of selling your home this summer? Open houses should be a big part of your agent's marketing plan in the DC metro area.  Each area of the country is different, but in the DC area, open houses do work and they can help you sell your home! 

Many sellers are turn up their noses at an open house, but I think you encourage your agent to do them on a regular basis. "Why should you have open houses?" you might ask. You want an open house in rder to expose your home to as many people as possible. 

Many buyers are out there on Sunday afternoons looking for a home without their Realtor.  They don't want to "bother"their agent or their agent is busy with an open house of their own.  It is a chance for buyers to see a number of homes in quick order without having to schedule appointments and coordinate showings.  It is an opportunity for a buyer to sample several different neighborhoods.

An open house is a place for your agent to show off your home. Your goal is to get potential buyers to imagine their life in your home and to walk out of the open house knowing they need that home. You want to have your property ready for prime time each Sunday that it is open.

There are a lot of great reasons to have an open house.  In addition, there are several reasons not to have an open house. For example,

Open houses are not great for the Realtor holding the house open in most instances. Everyone thinks that the agent is holding the house open to pick up buyers but that works only rarely.  In Maryland, agents are prohibited by law from talking to a buyer about other houses.  The agent holding the house open is there for one purpose - to sell the house on behalf of the seller.  If the buyer doesn't like the open house, the agent can't suggest three other houses that might be better and offer to show them.

Most buyers looking at open houses already are represented by a buyer agent so they don't need to interview other agents.  The agent holding th property open is not likely to meet buyers through an open house.  The real buyers - the ones you want coming to your open house - are the ones who already have a buyer agent because they are the ones who are truly committed to buying a home, but that doesn't mean future business for the agent holding the house open.  

When you are interviewing agents to list your home, be sure to ask their opinion on open houses and why they hold that opinion. It will tell you a lot about whether their interests are aligned with yours. 

Comments (8)

Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Hi Lise.  There are agents who love holding open houses and those that hate them.  And, many sellers also fall into these categories as well.

Jun 05, 2016 08:33 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Good morning Gabe Sanders - I agree with you - and I am even willing to agree that open houses don't work in all areas - but they do work here. Have a wonderful day! 

Jun 05, 2016 09:02 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Good morning, Lise -- while open houses are part of my marketing plan for most properties, I know they don't work for everyone even in the same market. Each of us can have a different strategy and still be successful.

Through ActiveRain, I have found that while there are many similarities in our practices, there are nuances(as you describe about Maryland law) that reinforces that real estate is truly a local business.   

 

 

Jun 05, 2016 10:45 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

In some markets, sometimes in some neighborhoods, types of properties...it makes wonderful sense...and other times.....not soooo much.

Jun 05, 2016 10:48 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I know that open houses can be very beneficial if done properly!  I have never been a big fan of open houses, mainly because I know I am not willing to do one properly and I don't like doing things unless I know I am willing to give my best effort.

Jun 05, 2016 11:50 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Lise- this is what I love about this community.  There is so much to learn.  I can see that Open Houses are not a given with any listing agent or seller.  Every area is different and even so with the agents.  If it works, then that's a good thing. 

Jun 06, 2016 02:01 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Lise I have always been an advocate of Open Houses, if you have a positive approach, attitude and proper marketing Open House can and will be successful... on the other hand if you sit there read a book and watch people come in and out... or do not look up from your phone or your laptop... no it will not be a success...Endre

Jun 06, 2016 04:08 PM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

I absolutely do not like an Open House - I believe that if someone is really interested in buying a house, they don't just wander in - they make sure that they are working with an Agent to direct them to homes that meet their criteria for a purchase.  Great post Lise as you know there are compelling arguments on both sides.

Jun 06, 2016 10:41 PM