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Are Broker's Open Houses Effective?

By Kathy Sperl-Bell

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Active Adults Realty

May 13, 2009 06:49 AM

What a perfect day for a Broker's Open House! All those April showers did produce some wonderful May flowers AND it's a beautiful sunny day. Between 12 and 3 pm, 15 agents came through my listing and 3 other homes in the town of Milton, Delaware.

ARE BROKER'S OPEN HOUSES EFFECTIVE IN YOUR MARKET?

Ask me in a few weeks if this one was effective. If any of today's agents end up working with the right kind of buyer, they were very impressed with what they saw. Will their buyer be qualified? Will they be able to get financing? Will they be looking for this kind of house in town? If they are, these agents will know where to take them.

This house is a renovated home in the Historic District. It was gutted and updated to today's standards for energy efficiency and comfort.

422 Chestnut Street, Milton, Delaware

Using the principles of Universal Design, the home features 36" wide doorways on the first level, one entrance with no steps, lever door handles, a first floor master bedroom and spa bath with a curbless shower and more. This is the right home in which to "Age in Place"! See more!

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Brenda Carus

Century 21 Zwygart Real Estate - Monroe, WI

They are not very effective around here. I hope yours brings a good buyer, though.

May 13, 2009 07:11 AM

Lynn Michaels

RE/MAX Central- Marlboro & Manalapan, NJ - Marlboro, NJ

Marlboro-Manalapan Real Estate

In my area of Marlboro, Manalapan, and Freehold in Monmouth County, New Jersey, Brokers' Open Houses are not only successful, they are much anticipated!

We have a very busy market here, and the way to get busy realtors to attend a Brokers' Open is to provide a yummy lunch! They come for the food and the social gathering, and at the same time they (hopefully) view the listing. Often, an agent will say (while stuffing food in mouth) "I have a client I'd like to bring to this house." I myself have done that, and sold the house to that client. Yes, it works. And if you feed them, they will come!

May 13, 2009 07:22 AM

Kathy Sperl-Bell

Active Adults Realty - Lewes, DE

Brenda,

It sounds like we would have a lot in common. My husband is the Remodeling Contractor and Green Building is a HUGE part of Universal Design, at least the way Bill does things.

May 13, 2009 07:23 AM

Dan and Amy Schuman

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Solon, OH

Luxury Home Specialists

Kathy, we are big fans of holding and attending broker's open houses. Maybe some people think it's old school, but nothing compares to seeing a home in person. In our opinion, if you want to be an expert in your market, you need to be constantly viewing the inventory. Serving food is always a good idea too.

May 13, 2009 08:04 AM

Pat Champion

John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL

Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

I think broker's open houses are effective it gives your sellers a chance to have a better pool of buyers from other Realtors.

May 13, 2009 08:32 AM

Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

I clicked through and read about your listing, and I suspect this was a good one for an agent open house. 'Sounds like it's one you have to see, although the photos are terrific. I like agent open houses, and they sometimes produce a buyer.

May 13, 2009 09:09 AM

Lissa Uder

RE/MAX Next Generation, LLC - Lebanon, MO

Your Lebanon MO Real Estate Agent

They aren't really effective in this area. You might have 5 agents show up, and maybe none at all. And that is with lunch served.

Best way we've found to get agent's up and out the door is poker runs.

Lissa Uder, Your Lebanon MO Real Estate Agent

May 13, 2009 10:41 AM

James J. Weber

Keller Williams Pocono - Milford, PA

Kathy - Being a new home salesperson, I don't have any experience with open houses, but it seems in areas where they are well attended they would be productive. Good luck.

May 13, 2009 03:12 PM

Dianne Deming

RE/MAX Realty Group - Rehoboth Beach, DE

Kathy, I enjoyed seeing your lovely Milton listing again at yesterday's open house! And it was great getting caught up with you as well. I would love to be the lucky REALTOR to find the right buyer for your home!

I do like Agent Opens held in clusters, where an agent gets the opportunity to see several homes in one tour--like you and your colleagues held yesterday. 4-6 is a good number for one tour, I think.

Take Care,
Dianne

May 14, 2009 03:26 PM

Dan and Amy, I have actually sold at least one home that I saw at a Broker's Open!

Margaret, you're so right that certain homes have to be seen to be appreciated. As Dianne says below, I believe that a cluster of a few homes in a convenient location is the best way to hold a Broker's Open. Now let's hope Dianne or one of the others brings me a buyer!

James, with new homes don't you have an Open House every day??

May 14, 2009 10:24 PM

Mike Hogan

The Hogan Group at Keller Williams Realty - Mechanicsville, VA

MBA

Kathy- just curious how your broker open house turned out on this home. Im considering doing one on a listing I have in a historic district in Richmond, Va. So Im just curious?

Aug 19, 2009 01:29 PM

Christine Hooks

Pino Agency - Pennsville, NJ

Celebrating 25 Years in Real Estate!

Kathy,

I like Broker's Opens much more than public Opens. I provide lunch, pass out lottery tickets, have cash drawings and sometimes have guest speakers. It's great to build rapport with your fellow agents, especially if you're a manager or broker. It's great for recuiting!

Nov 02, 2009 12:34 PM

Are Broker's Open Houses Effective?

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