You're good at this!  I'm just getting started in the video department. It's not easy...  :)

Here in many areas of Dallas we are very very very very very restricted by the city with sign restrictions HOWEVER they allow the builders to post all their signs everywhere... so it is horrible to drive potential clients in via signs for open houses.  I LOVE YOUR meez.com

Elizabeth - I doubt the reason the agents don't hold open houses is because they are not good at them. The majority of agents don't do them because in most areas they are a very poor means of marketing a property. Most serious buyers are with Realtors, not out on their own. The statistics nationally prove this as less than 1% of all sales are generated through an open house. In 22 years I have sold thousands of homes and only 2 were from an open house!

Hey with 20% coming your way I can understand why you are doing them but I suspect the majority would say they are a waste of time and effort to sell that particular open home. Meet a few potential clients for something else is much more likely.

These are great tips. However, my experience is that very few people attend open houses, even with newspaper, Internet and sign advertising. Having a high traffic location can help bring people in the door.

Hi Debi: No, it's not easy to make a video well. But it helps if you have a patient videographer. When you post your video, let me know!

Hi Lynn: I get a lot of traffic from open house signs, but in Sacramento, lots of buyers look online for open houses.

Hi Bill: I suspect Massachusetts is a much different market than California -- because here, buyers are out in droves on Sundays. Many start their home search by going to open houses long before they contact a real estate agent. But some who come through are represented. Personally, I'm not looking to represent the buyers -- I don't care if they have an agent or not -- all I want is for them to buy my seller's home.

An agent told me last year when I called about showing her new listing, "Oh, just send the buyer over on Sunday. I won't talk to them. I just sit in the corner and read a book."

Open houses are great for obtaining prospects but I only know of  a few that sold at he open house.

Elizabeth, you do great videos. Very articulate and to the point. I've watched others of yours before and you are a natural in front of the camera (former actress??). I think you hit all the right points on this open house topic. I would also add to capture their contact information if possible. Even if they don't sell "that" house YOU get exposure and maybe pick up some buyers.

Capturing buyer data is important only to agents, though, Barbara. I'm not as interested in finding buyers to sell other property to as I am in finding a buyer for my listing.

Hi Gary: I made this video for sellers, mainly. But thanks on the compliment; I appreciate it. I'm just a born actress, I think. Either that, or I truly love my profession. Oh, no, which is it?

Hi Elizabeth, I'm sending this link to a Realtor I know. Great tips and information in a viewer ready format that was easy to understand. The music in the background worked really well with your overall presentation, very relaxing and encouraging. Nice job!