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What I'm Doing Today for My Open House Tomorrow

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

One thing I love about this business is getting ready for Open Houses.  I haven't been doing this long enough to say that I have gotten a pattern of quantifiable results from what I do, and maybe it's busy work, but, when I'm getting the word out about my Open House, I feel like a kid again.

I'll start by going to the Car Wash.  Everybody gets their cars washed on the weekend.  I'll tape a few fliers in the public areas and maybe give a few to people if they're looking curious.  After that, I'll go to the local Starbucks and pop one or two up where I can.  Then, I'll go to all of the stores where I spend my money.  I'll chat with them about business.   I have good luck at the local liquor store with this.  People tend to mill about, especially if there's a wine tasting.  People love to talk about Real Estate, too. 

I have a few parts of town where I know there is a high concentration of renters.  I'll bring fliers with me and knock on doors.  I call this the 'fixed bayonets' portion of my day.  I always feel a bit dorky when I start, but how many lines of work are there where you can feel like it's Halloween?  I find that, as long as you act like a normal human being, you'd be surprised how courteous people are with you.  I'm good at making fun of myself, so I make a joke of things before I introduce myself, ask them if they live there, and give them a flier.  Then, I ask them a simple question.

'When you have a question about Real Estate, who do you call?'

If they say nobody, I tell them I'd like to be that person.  I ask them what specific information they'd like to receive from me.  If their eyes begin to glaze over, I ask them if they've ever looked into loans, been to open houses, if they've even thought about buying, that it's easier than they think.

Sometimes, I leave them alone and move on.

My last stop is the street where I'm going to hold my Open House.  Assuming it doesn't have a hundred homes on it, I knock on each door.  When someone comes to answer, I introduce msyelf, tell them about the Open House, acknowledge how you never know whether it's protocol to visit a neighbors' open house and stress that they're very, very welcome to come.  Then, I ask a few questions about the street.  What do they like about it?  What information will help me to help the family to sell it.  I've gotten some good information this way.

I'd be the first to say that what I do is just a little over the top, but I find that people are fairly receptive to me if I do the following.  First, I'm respectful.  If it's clear that they don't want to deal with me, I hand them a flier and leave them alone.  Second, I make it clear that, although I may be a little nervous, I'm having fun.  I do my best to create a positive experience between us.  I try to inform.  I make light of things.  I try to make people smile, but I also act professional.  At the end of the day, I usually come home and tell my wife about a few nice connections I've made.  I haven't had a single day where I felt it was a waste of time.

 I could go on about my day but it's time to actually get up and do all of these things.  Wish me luck!

  

 

   

Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate
Anthony - I gave up personally doing open houses many years ago as I have found them to be a complete waste of time for my seller client. Statistics bear this out as nationally less than 1% of homes sold through an open house. I know they can be a benefit to an agent for future business and I give you kudos for your efforts. It seems you are really going the extra mile for your open houses. Best of luck to you.
Aug 04, 2007 01:40 AM
Beth Riegger
Keys 2 Success - Brooklyn Park, MN
Anthony, it really seems like you very much go the extra mile for your clients!!  I wish you were in MN, I just put out a blog for help because I want to sell my house!!  Keep it up my friend, even though as Bill suggested that Open Houses may not be the best way to do, we sold our last house in 10 days and it was from 1 of only 5 visitors to our Open House (we lived in the country).  I think if our Realtor had done what you do, we might have gotten more traffic than 5 and maybe more offers!!
Aug 04, 2007 01:55 AM
Charlottesville Solutions
Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA
I really like that "'When you have a question about Real Estate, who do you call?'" idea. It is a better way that just asking if they are working with an agent. In my opinion! thanks!!
Aug 04, 2007 01:57 AM
Judy Cicalese
William Raveis Real Estate - New Canaan, CT
Market Knowledge-Social Media Savvy 203-638-7812

Anthony - I just made a change and am now with Raveis in Trumbull yesterday.  I think open houses are great and I have been very successful in getting buyers - I try to get one good buyer lead from every open house that I convert to a client.  Good luck to you - I'm sure you will be very successful.  Great line to use as well---I will try it myself.

 

Aug 04, 2007 02:10 AM
Lori Lincoln And Associates
Top Agent Serving Dighton Taunton, Rehoboth and more! - Taunton, MA
Top Agent Taunton,Dighton Rehoboth &more
Open Houses generally don't seem to work well in my area in the summer. I am lucky to get one group through. I have thought about pushing a little harder with more pro-active marketing..i.e. door knocking and flyers.
Aug 04, 2007 02:34 AM
Anthony Derbyshire
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Fairfield, CT

Hi guys.  Me again.  I see a few of you don't believe in Open Houses.  I know the statistics.  We sold our first house through an Open House.  A guy that I started with made his first and third sale through an Open House.  And when his buyers bought the house at the Open House that he held, he ended up getting the listing. 

Don't get me wrong.  There are times when I'm sitting in my Open Houses that I find myself asking myself why.  Is it what I count on?  No.  Is it another iron on the fire.  Absolutely.  Ask me again in a year, but I wonder whether, if we do or prepare for our open houses differently, we might not get a different type of results.

Any thoughts? 

Aug 04, 2007 02:53 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida
Anthony, the neighbor introduction to the Open House is imperative.  Like you, it can be done in person or with a post card to surrounding streets a few days in advance.  There's been so many blogs about the ineffectiveness of Open Houses I'm glad to see someone else who's into it.    
Aug 04, 2007 06:37 AM