I know!  I know!  A lot of you just don't do Open Houses.  Well, I do!  In my market they just work.  And I'm always looking for some way to make them work better.  So when I found Steve Dawson's post the other day, I thought it merited a reblog.

If you do Opens, his great adviice can help you do them better.

 

Via Steve Dawson:

For those of us who still hold open houses, here are some tips to get some of those potential buyers through the door.  Because we know that selling homes is a numbers games.

1) Time Your Open House Correctly

Open your house up earlier than others around you and stay longer.  Don't just hang around for an hour.  This makes a huge difference.  If your sign is the only one around, guess where everyone will be going.

2) Give Them Something

Give them some up to date market information.  In today's market, especially with the media taking down real estate, it may benefit the potential buyer to see what the actual stats are.  Maybe it will open their eyes to what is really going on.

3) Have Something That Others Won't At An Open House

 Like an "Open House Book." This is a book that includes a complete analysis of all homes that are for sale in higher and lower price ranges in similar locations to this property.  Most likely the people who come to your open house won't buy the one your are holding open.  Maybe they like the area or the price range your home is in.  Give them some other things that they may like.  You just might be the one who helps them buy it.

4) SIGNS

Make sure you have at least 6-7 signs up directing the people to the home.  There is nothing more frustrating than not have enough signs and people are driving around looking for your open house, but they can't find it and drive away.  That is a waste.

5) Advertise

This is a no brainer, but it is highly overlooked.  Advertise online, advertise offline, advertise to your database, advertise to lower and higher price point people in the neighborhood.  Don't overlook the power of advertising.

I hope some of these ideas can help you at your open house. 

If you are considering selling your home or purchasing real estate in Contra Costa, you owe it to yourself to contact Steve Dawson for all your real estate needs in the East Bay.

 "Whatever It Takes"

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9 Comments on Open House Tips--How To Get People In The Door!

AUG
26
2008
149,406 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Hit Router

Patricia:  Good ideas and pointers.  My team and I also use bright colored balloons tied to every directional sign and to the OH signs in the yard to attract attention!  You can even have extra balloons to hand out to the kids!
7:34am • #1
217,826 Points 28 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Most important thing - remember that the NEIGHBORS generally know someone who wants to live in that neighborhood (people only move about 7 miles away....) so INVITE THE NEIGHBORS!
9:54am • #2
1,057,267 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I love doing open houses, so much so that if I don't have an open house for whatever reason, I'll ask someone in my office if I can hold their listing open. So far no one's said, "No!" LOL
1:12pm • #3
AUG
27
2008
376,612 Points 7 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

I will defiantly hold an open house if my clients wants me to. The better organized the mores successful it will be. Most people who stop by are looking for information. So I have plenty of handouts and try to give them something, sometimes my title co. will drop stuff off. That helps a lot.
9:14am • #4
2 Featured Posts

Hi Patricia,

I did a blog a while back on how to cater an open house. I work as a chef on the side when I'm not writing. Checkout this blog for some fun tips: http://www.homescape.com/content/Blog/Blog:Realtors_Throw_Parties_to_Sell_Homes
2:10pm • #5
967,423 Points 25 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

City Open Houses are the best. I always put together a book of all the other listings in walking distance. I encourage them to take a seat to review the book. I have since helped many potential buyers find a home.
9:18pm • #6
AUG
28
2008
193,829 Points 2 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

thanks for the tips - I also use a program calleded listingproducer that allows me to create a single property domain flyer but it also lets me create a CD presentation of the flyer I can hand out at the open house.  People throw away flyers but they are less likely to throw a CD away and might play it which is the property flyer and all the photos associated with the property.  The CD is branded to the property, the main photo and the agent.
10:08am • #7
AUG
29
2008
231,708 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Great tips, was this a reblog?  Is this what the new concept of reblogging is about?  Just wondering.
8:10am • #8
601,567 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Pat - I only hold Open Houses in neighborhoods where I know EVERYTHING about what's on the market and what's sold - you have to be able to set yourself apart as the expert.  Also, I hold mine open from 2-5. The extra hour before opening gives me a more normal Sunday morning, and the hour from 4-5 after others close is generally worth while.
11:05pm • #9

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Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company Realtors) Ambassador_large

Patricia Kennedy

Washington, DC

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Evers & Company Realtors

Address: 4400 Jenifer Street NW, Washington, DC , 20015

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Pat Kennedy -- author of The Irreverent Guide to Real Estate -- gives you a look at life on the streets as a real estate broker in our nation's capital. And her blog is peppered with great advice combined with humor!


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