There's only so much advertising and so many signs (with balloons) that we can put out for an open house. The people that are going to show up are the ones who will show up. The big question for me was "How do i make them comfortable enought to look around with an open mind?"
Of course I don't want to hover around them like a pushy salesman, nor do I want to completely ignore them. I need to be close enough to answer their questions without being so close that they feel that their private conversations are being monitored. Nervous open house guests aren't usually the best kind to have around.
I have read many suggestions for an open house. Some of them I use as is, some I modify, and some I have created as I hold opens.
I try to put out at least 8 signs with balloons. To eliminate the need for helium, I purchased some of the Stand-a-Balloon holders from HAR. I could have went to the manufacturer's online store to get them, but I thought my money better spent buying them from a REALTOR Association store.
The next thing I do is to remove any outside brochures from the brochure box. This makes it so passers by have to come in to get any written information.
As per Rick Barnes, I have a 1/2" thick black binder with a sign in sheet and a bowl of Hershey's Kisses a handspan away from the sign-in sheet. Another suggestion from a Rick Barnes seminar is to sign in a 'fake' name - preferably a Doctor, so that everyone else will sign in. The only time I had a minor problem with this is when a seller had seen the sheet and asked about the Doctor that had seen the house.
I also spread home and self-promotion brochures, along with business cards, throughout the home. The visitor might be more inclined to take my information if they are not made to feel oblogated to me because I saw them take one.
It's a good thing to follow up with the open visitors within 24 hours (before they for get who you are). This way you keep the lines of communication flowing.
Almost forgot - I did mention a secret weapon. Smell is a very important trigger when someone enters a house. Some agents will advocate for potpourri or scented candles. I don't. I quit smoking 6 years ago and artificial scents tend to bother or annoy me. My secret weapon is my bread machine. I bring it in an hour or two before the open so that the aroma of the baking bread saturates the air inside the house. I have yet to meet anyone who doesn't like that particular smell. I also tends to relax people as they tour the home.
What are some of the touches that make your open houses a success?
Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific - Benicia, CA
Thanks for the tip about your secret weapon. I do something similar. I bake the ready to bake cookies you find at the supermarket and the house smells great.
Jul 15, 2007 06:55 AM
Springfield, MA
Great post and great secret weapon!
I like that idea and I bet in the winter months the smell of cookies in the home is very appealing too!
Jul 15, 2007 07:03 AM
Keller Williams Boise - Boise, ID
Boise Idaho Real Estate
Pat, I like your tips. I hold opens a lot and have had limited success. I usually keep the sign in sheet on my laptop in excel. Maybe printing them is a better idea. I always have names in there. I just keep the list from the previous open house. No one ever wants to go first so having a name or two actually helps. I've also had people who just want to give me their number see how much information there is from others ie: name, address, email and then they get the sense they might be missing out if everyone else is giving me that info. It's the old herd theory.
Jul 15, 2007 07:13 AM
Keller Williams Fort Myers & The Islands - Fort Myers, FL
I like to turn the radio's on low, preferably a smooth jazz station. That way they don't think I am eavesdropping as they make small talk
I also make small talk about anything other than the home I am sitting in, or the real estate market.
I focus primarily on a few developments here so I give them information about different price points with in the development. On the bathroom counters I place a few of my business cards for them to take.
They may want to take one but don't want to give up their life story to get a card.
I have "loan advisers" for each property that shows loan options and the corresponding payments, many people do not realize how purchase price equates to payment so I offer that to them.
I also let them know what open house I will be at next. So if they want to drop by later with any questions they will know where I will be.
Jul 15, 2007 07:19 AM
| Nashua Video Tours - Nashua, NH
Real Estate Video Tours for MA and NH
Secret weapon? Stay home! :)
I will be [attempting] to produce one of the first 'virtual open houses'.. ever - in a couple of weeks.
You can log on, walk through the house, room by room, up and down hallways, through the neighborhood... then ask any questions of the listing agent and possibly a mortgage broker, who will be there.. live... on video.
No $3 a gallon gas. No worrying about hauling around kids. No worrying about being the 'only one' at the mercy of a hungry broker who follows you around like a puppy.
Should be interesting....
Jul 15, 2007 07:27 AM
MCVL Realty - McClellanville, SC
McClellanville and Awendaw, SC
Crab Dip gets them every time around here - Shrimp don't stay fresh long enough - Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies work well too and they say to cook them in the house to make it smell "like home" but I can't cook in other peoples house....it feels dirty, like I'm cheating on my oven.
Jul 15, 2007 07:40 AM
Ayres Realty - Douglasville, GA
Bread machine-what a great idea! I have one in my pantry just collecting dust. I'll give that one a try.
Jul 15, 2007 11:43 PM
Coldwell Banker Elite - Orange, VA
Sybil - Just go to Walmart and pick up a bread machine mix. I usually leave the loaf for the seller (if they still occupy) or give it to a neighbor if it's vacant.
Daniel - I'm sure your oven won't mind :)
Fred - Let us know how the virtual open goes.
Kimberly - Isn't it amazing that they'll take your card from the bathroom, but not directly from you?
I'm going to try increasing the number of signs leading to and on the property to see if that helps any.
Daniel - I'm sure your oven won't mind :)
Fred - Let us know how the virtual open goes.
Kimberly - Isn't it amazing that they'll take your card from the bathroom, but not directly from you?
I'm going to try increasing the number of signs leading to and on the property to see if that helps any.
Jul 16, 2007 11:22 AM
Keller Williams Realty Centre - Columbia, MD
REALTY EXECUTIVES Platinum Group - Grand Rapids, MI
I try to place a business card in their hand as they walk in or hand it to them with the informational flyer about the home - even if they stuff it in their pocket or it hits the car floor as they leave, they'll run across it again. I always try to do munchies of some sort too - chips and salsa or guacamole and some fresh fruit are my personal faves. It's not "walking food" so it a great way to make them stand and chat a little and spend more time in the home. Great ideas everybody... thanks for sharing!
Jun 01, 2008 03:55 PM
Classic Properties - Clarks Summit, PA
Just a quick tip on a sign in sheet. Make sheets for each guest to sign. Once they have completed their info I put it in my notepad so that no one else sees who was there or what kind of turn out I have had. I still have record of everyone attending, but their information is confidential and I gather basic data (their name, address, e mail address, phone, etc.) and they have no idea if they were the only one that showed up or one of many.
Jun 03, 2008 01:32 PM
Keller Williams Realty - Minneapolis, MN
Experience you can trust.
We are beginning to do our opens during the week, and having great success at it. I think in a tougher market, rolling up our sleeves and being willing to work hard shows our clients and perspective buyers that we really do love what we do.
Jun 04, 2008 03:28 AM
Realty Executives Nevada's Choice - Gardnerville, NV
I go to sleep and take a nap on the couch with sports on tv and my hand in a bowl of chips... People who enter are sure to be relaxed right off the bat.
Jun 04, 2008 08:03 AM
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