Do you make assumptions about OPEN HOUSES, because they have not worked in the past?? Well, DON'T DO IT! Don'put the cart before the house, I mean horse!! LOL....Remember, this is from a "Lenders Perspective!"
I did a blog a couple of months ago, that was recently featured, and after such an overwhelmingly GREAT response...I thought I would GIVE AWAY 12 more ideas!
I would be honored if you re-blogged me, and as always, whether you agree, or disagree, I would LOVE to hear your comments!
*DISCLAIMER* These suggestions MAY NOT work for REO'S!
LET THE DEBATE CONTINUE..........................
1. HAVE A BLOCK PARTY!!!! You know, you could do this on a Saturday later in the day..like 4-7 or so...Make this open fun, and invite the neighborhood! At least you will use up your punch and cookies! Fun Music, and maybe even a THEME!!
2. Have the OPEN HOUSE on the same day as OTHER open houses in the area! USE everybody else's traffic DRIVING to STEER people into YOUR open! If you, or your company has mutliple open houses, consider adding a MAP to them on your website! Consider also, having an OPEN HOUSE on the SAME DAY as a Community Garage Sale! Already alot of traffic & business in town..use it!
3. Broker Open House- This serves SEVERAL purposes. It shows off YOUR property vs the others, and allows the other brokers/agents to be PICKY, and tell YOU what is wrong with the home from their perspective! That buys you TIME to either spruce up the area, or even repair or FIX the area! Offer a prize ALSO at this Open house! Realtors like FREE things, cash, and FOOD!
4. DONT FORGET THE MEN & THE MAN CAVE!!
Folks, we always seem to focus on the family things and even going back to the VICTORIAN times there is/was a "parlor" and "sewing" room!
Well, NOW, we have Man Caves! If there is a BAR, turn on the lights, turn on the flat panel to ESPN, and if there is a pool table, put the balls out on it....this way, the GUY can imagine playing POOL or PINBALL in this room! If it has THEATRE or Media room, pop popcorn and have the movie TOP GUN playing, NOT When Harry Met Sally!
5. PERUUUSSEEE the FSBO websites like FSBO.com, and build an email list, and send them emails and/or INVITE CARDS! OBVIOUSLY, they are in the market to BUY a home, and if their house does not SELL FSBO (which statistics will agree with), guess what...you already have an in! LIST IT BABY!!
6. Create an OPEN HOUSE TUB, or "Broker Bucket" for your car! This way, you are never looking for things at the last minute, and everything you need is in the Rubbermaid! You might even want to have a small cooler available as well, so when you go to the store, you can put the cheese, sodas, ice & water, straight into the cooler!
7. DON'T FORGET THE KIDS!! This one is big! If people BRING their kids with them, the kids either are BORED TO DEATH, or get into trouble! BE PREPARED! Have coloring books,crayons,markers, and a place they could sit down, either inside or out! It will show you care, and again put it into a "family" perspective! These items go into your "BROKER BUCKET!"
** Note ** I used to DJ, and received COMPLIMENT AFTER COMPLIMENT for YEARS....because I always included the KIDS at a reception! It applies here too! 
8. Contact ALL the of the Employment Recruiters in YOUR AREA! Make sure you send THEM invites to the open house! It creates one more email/maling list, and because more often than not they are recruiting people to MOVE to your area...guess what, they get a new job, the want to buy a new house, and best of all, they need FINANCING! (ok, that one was for me!)
9. Dont fight the neighbors, INVITE the neighbors! Yes, yes..I know, you are thinking...the neighbors are just going to WASTE your time, not sign in, and are just out "kicking tires"...but you know...SO WHAT! You never know...they may know someone at work that is looking, or a friend, or even a FAMILY member...Best part, is that people like this want to LIVE BY PEOPLE they know! Especially in RURAL areas, or small towns! Things tend to get "clicky"...so take advantage of it!
10. Contact the TITLE company that is in your "sphere of influence". Not only will THEY be able to forward your invite on to the people in THEIR sphere, but often times they might even have someone WORKING THERE that would be interested in seeing it! I have closed 11 loans for people that work AT my title companies! Some Title Companies sponsor home buyer seminars in person, or on the web! Talk with them, as they may know OTHER places to send the information,hang a flier, or send an invite!
11. THE FRONT PORCH! I have read TONS of articles that all agree, curb appeal is huge right?? WHY NOT dress up the front porch?? Put in a swing! YES I said that..PUT IN a swing! Maybe add a little bistro table and 2 chairs with a candle and potted plant..etc.. USE YOUR IMAGINATION and focus on the style or trends within the neighborhood!
12. Consider Demographics! Because the fastest growing part of the population (40% growth) is the Hispanic demographic..consider the "culture" when running ads, and where you place them! Again, work with your lender partner to have fliers,brochures, and the MLS fliers in SPANISH! I know Calyx Software and others have a "language" options on them for printing open house fliers! USE them!!
All in all, there are MANY MANY other suggestions, but HERE is a big sentence RUN-0N of a bunch of others...that everyone should consider!
Professional Organizations that have newsletters like Churches,Fraternites,Sororities,AARP,Rotary,Kiwanis,Lions,Moose,Womens Organizations,Businessman's assocations. Hang up fliers at Trainstations,bus stations,Apartment Complex's, and whatever you do...DONT FORGET THE DRIP CAMPAIGN! USE ROBOTIC MARKETING for all of your leads...If they dont buy today, and you dont have time to stay in touch with them yourself, have your assistant do it, or PAY the money and DRIP THEM!! It works!
As always, I encourage everyone to comment, or if you prefer...you can contact me directly at 608-592-2227, or email at Darin@osmwi.com
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