If no one comes to your open house or just a few people come, do you feel like you are wasting your time? Well, before you answer, let's me ask you a question?
Why do you do open houses? For many agents the answer is one of two reasons.
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The seller insists I do something to earn my fee
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My manager told me that open houses are an opportunity to meet prospective customers
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And last, (I know I said one of two, but . . .) but not least no one else would do another open house that has already been open seven times, it's over-priced and in terrible condition
etc., etc., etc.,etc. . .
"But, I feel like the person who planned a party,
_________________________ 
but no one came."
So what's wrong? Why aren't people coming to your open houses? Let's look at a few tips together.
TIPS FOR GREAT OPEN HOUSES
# 1 Select the right property
- High traffic area--not a busy thoroughfare, but popular location for your area
- Easy to find location
- Curb appeal--hosting an open on a property described as 'not a drive-by' won't get them inside the open house either. You will observe them driving by and driving on . . . Don't waste your time.
- Clean, uncluttered interior
- Is the property priced to sell?
- Newer listing that has not been open numerous times
#2 Advertise
- Signs in front of property and directional signs placed earlier in week (if allowed by local zoning)
- Print media although rapidly losing ground to the internet
- TV
- Internet: Many companies and individual agents use their website to promote upcoming opens.
- www.howardhanna.com
- Additional sites such as www.openhouse.com are available. Use them.
#3 Send Invitations
Would you plan a party and not invite people? Think of your next open house as an open house party. How might you get the word out and who would you send an invitation to?
Who do your invite? 
One of the easiest and least expensive way to send invitation is by e-mail. Create an open house database. Send an invitation to your upcoming open houses. Ask the recipient to forward the e-mail to someone who might be interested in the property you are holding open. People forward and reforward jokes all the time. Why not your invitation to an open house this weekend?
- Neighbors
- Move-up buyers send invitations to neighborhoods most likely to move up in price to this one
- Tarket market: First-time buyers, executives, empty nesters
- Your buyer clients and people from past open houses
- Friends and family
- Past clients
And you say, "My past clients have already bought or sold with me. My family and friends aren't interested in buying or selling right now. Why would I want to bug them about my open house?"
Well, just think who is your best "fan base"? Past clients along with your close friends and family are already sold on the benefits of working with you. By inviting them to each open house you are keeping your name on the tip of their tongue so to speak.
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Pennsylvania Real Estate classes are available through Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate www.alankells.com Mary Yonkers
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