"I Don't Do Open Houses!"
Debe Maxwell, CRS "if you do host them, YES, your primary goal is to procure a buyer for your seller. However, what harm is it in procuring a few buyers for yourself if those same buyers truly are not candidates for your seller's home?"
It's rare for us to see things differently than our friend Debe here in the 'Rain - but we DO NOT do open houses as in this area they primarily and overwhelmingly benefit the AGENT and not the SELLER. Many Sellers do not want them at all. We don't personally host them for our listings as we won't represent both the Seller and the Buyer (Single Agent Dual Agency) - but will arrange for another agent at our brokerage to host them if the Seller wants them - their choice. That said - Debe's post is:
Right on target - and - re-blog!
"I Don't Do Open Houses!"
"...but, if I were to be doing them, I would not be trying to get buyers - I would be working to get MY seller's home sold!"
So, which is it? Do you work for your sellers to get their homes sold or not?
Repeatedly, I have heard other agents, literally boasting, that they don't do open houses. Later, when the topic of conversations turns to focus on those who DO host open houses and how they register buyers, some of those same 'I-don't-do-open-houses-agents' say that agents who DO, should't keep a registration log. NOR should they try to land new buyers - they're only looking for that one buyer for the seller. SAY WHAT?
To me, if you ARE representing your sellers, you DO host open houses - especially in areas where they are KNOWN to be effective. And, if you do host them, YES, your primary goal is to procure a buyer for your seller. However, what harm is it in procuring a few buyers for yourself if those same buyers truly are not candidates for your seller's home?
Also, what harm is being done by having buyers register? It's the perfect opportunity for you, as the listing agent, to follow up with potential buyers or their agents, with regards to the listing you're trying to SELL.
I can assure you, there is NO harm in having buyers who tour your open houses to register - none whatsoever. In fact, that is how a lot of new agents procure their first buyers - by hosting open houses. Some sellers really do want an open house - they set the stage for the perfect open and hope and pray that their buyer comes through. If not, and the agent hosting the open, happens to wind up working with a few of the buyers, the sellers could care less - really.
No harm, no fowl! And, don't let anyone tell you any differently!
So, if you're new to the business, don't be discouraged by agents who talk out of both sides of their mouths. You procure those buyers (and you may even have one for your seller too) and you register them the best way you know how!
And, if you're an experienced agent who claims to represent your sellers but, don't believe open houses are effective or perhaps you're too good or too lazy to host open houses, don't try to discourage others from doing them.
If an agent hosting an open house garners nothing but, buyers from their open house, well, at least they've shown they're doing everything they can to sell their listings and they've made their sellers happy by HOSTING ONE!
And, yes, I do host open houses - my team hosts most of them but, I've hosted more than I can remember and if my sellers request that we host open houses, by all means, WE DO!
And, YES, I have one under Contract right now that we procured the buyer DURING an Open House!
#Don'tRainOnOthers'Parades #RantOver
© Debe Maxwell | The Maxwell House Group | CharlotteBroker@icloud.com |"I Don't Do Open Houses!"
(THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)
Charlotte NC Real Estate Agents
Debe Maxwell, Realtor®/Broker/CRS
CharlotteBroker@icloud.com
Direct: (704) 491-3310
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