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OPEN HOUSES - Coffee, Tea, Water, Cider?

OPEN HOUSES: what do you serve? coffee, tea, bottled water, cider? cookies, candy, pastries?

I wanted to throw this idea out to my activerain bloggers - to gather ideas on what others are serving, if anything, at their open houses.

Since I am in Ohio, on cold wintry days, I have a pot of coffee made - but I have heard cider is very inviting and makes for a great aroma.

On hot, summer days, most coming to my open house were very thankful for a cold bottled water.

I have another real estate friend who gives out a package of microwave popcorn with her card attached, along with a catchy phrase.

Another real estate friend brings a tray of pastries - but she claims lately, the tray of pastries ends up going back home since traffic is off - and ended up gaining 10 pounds over it.

I believe in Open Houses, because I first hand, have sold many of my listings this way, including writing one up at the sellers table during an open house.

Any comments?

Posted by Carla Harbert - RE/MAX Pros on 12/08/2008 01:07 PM

Comments (8)

open houses, real estate, homes for sale, carla harbert, activerain

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8 Comments on OPEN HOUSES - Coffee, Tea, Water, Cider?

DEC

Dear Carla,

I used to bring cookies, but recently stopped because they were all coming home with me and landing on my hips! So now I am only doing cold water in the summer and hot chocolate in the winter if its really cold. I almost always have a little bowl of peppermints, butterscotch or jolly ranchers at the open house. It can be a good thing if somebody has walked in after dining on a garlic or onion filled lunch!

Hi Carla, refreshments are nice, but your buyers are wanting information more than anything else. Do you have a list of properties to give to them that are comparable to your listing, in that neighborhood with demographics, maps, school info, neighborhood watch contacts, etc? Being prepared with this kind of handout can set you apart from the average Realtor. It can be a valuable personal promotion piece as well as something you can use in a listing presentation or a presentation to buyers of your services.

I do a lot of teaching with Realtors and am always looking for tips and ideas to share with them. I wish you a wonderful holiday season!

Hey Carla,

Skip the cookies and treats! Spilt beverages, cookies ground into carpeting and chocolate rubbed into upholstery is the last thing you need to worry about. Do what I do, save the food budget for the Realtor Caravan Open House Tour AKA: Broker Tour and serve cocktails!

DEC

I once had an open house here I served cookies and that evening the seller complained that there were crumbs all over. Bottled water is appreciated in the summer. I do not serve food or drinks except water.

DEC

I have a paper plate that I decorate with ribbons and information on the front and the back of the plate about the house. The sign say's "welcome to my empty plated openhouse" then it goes on the say the money saved by not serving refreshments will be donated to the local Breast Cancer Chapter to further research. It goes over HUGE! People ask if they can donate as well. People take the decorated plate (instead of a feature sheet) and remember me!

I won't provide anything that I will not take home with me and can use or use at another Open. I do know an agent that bakes cookies during open houses for the smell and feeling. Viewers are welcome to them but the bulk are used for her christmas cookies. Kind of double duty.

She benifits in that she can do two jobs at once, the client benifits in that they get a cookie basket as well, and the potential buyer has fresh cookies.

Carla, I like the idea of cold bottled water in the summer. I think something warm in the winter would be nice, but sounds like a lot of work if you get a no show, or only 1 or 2 people. I am with you I have sold homes from open houses before if not I pick up new leads, and the lead from one house may be the buyer for the next. It can go full circle.

MAR

I had hot apple cider in the fall, but last Sunday I had bottled water. Easier, and the folks can take it with them. I was thinking of getting those cool business card labels to put on the bottles. And I have a bowlful of wrapped chocolates. For the guests -- and me, of course! : )

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