When it rains, it pours

So, I managed to convince my newest sellers to move a few pieces of furniture into the investment property they want to sell and I schedule a Saturday and Sunday open house.  

From ActiveRain comes a contact who wants to list a home for rent.  This contact only has time available on Saturday - one of the open house days.  Okay, it's time to adjust on the fly.  Appointment made for 9:00 am, allow about an hour to make sure all the paperwork is right - I'll still have time to set up the open and put signs out.

I arrive around noon to get myself set up for the open and the owners are still moving furniture into the townhouse. I get the house set up and put my signs out, but don't get back until 5 or 10 minutes after the open is supposed to start. Fortunately, this is a day when no one shows up early.

I meet a couple of neighbors who are out and about, who tell me that another client (I listed the end unit next door to the one I'm holding open - it was under contract in less than 30 days) has recommended me for their future move.

Another neighbor, whose home is also for sale (just not listed with me), stops by the open to check out the differences in their respective homes.  Of course the owners are still there and chat up a storm with the neighbors - that's okay because I gain information that I could not have asked for directly.

Then, for 2 1/2 hours, nobody shows up.  I usually bring things to do at an open, but I'd rather be meeting and greeting people.  

It's now 15 minutes past the end time for the open, so it's time to go sign gathering.  I'm in no big hurry to go grab the signs and close everything up for the day because I have to wait for the bread machine (my open house secret weapon) to finish.

I gather up a couple of signs and put them in the garage.  As I'm locking the front door, so I can hop in my car and go get the other signs, a group shows up.  They love the house. Enough so that they are taking pictures with their
 cell phones.  

This group leaves and it's time to go gather those signs.  I lock up the door and chat a little with the next-door neighbor.  Lo and behold!  Two more neighbors show up to take a look.  Still waiting for the bread machine to finish, I let them in and they tour the house.

Finally, I'm able to go gather up my signs (before the local vigilantes can snatch them up).

On the way back to the office, I finally get in touch with a potential seller.  Another appointment.  Once again, 9:00 am - before the open.

I don't mind being this kind of busy - it tends to be productive.