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Brokers Open Houses. Do you do them where you are at?

By
Real Estate Agent with Prudential Locations LLC

In Hawaii we have what's called Brokers Opens.  They are specific and unique times that are only advertised to fellow realtors and not to the general public.  Unlike normal public open houses which are primarily used for prospecting, Brokers opens are a great way to get to know your fellow realtors and gather information on what's currently available in a particular marketplace.

Broker's opens are normally held on Wednesday and Thursdays depending on your locations.  Some escrow companies here help organize special open houses for a particular area or building and will even help with refreshments.

Just curious how many people have this where they are from and if they take advantage of such a great opportunity.  If so, how many times a month do you normally participate by either visiting listings or having your listings open?

Thanks for your time and ALOHA!!!

Anonymous
Georgia Broker
Yes, we have "caravans" where agents from our own company and others are invited to view new listings.  Usually on Tuesdays.  They don't typically sell a listing, but they do satisfy a seller.
Nov 15, 2006 02:13 PM
#1
Lisa Dunn
Edina Realty - Minneapolis, MN
www.TwinCitySeller.com
We view our own and other brokers opens, although most brokers in MN only tour their own listings. We go on Tuesdays and eat our way from house to house.
Nov 15, 2006 02:20 PM
Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO
We do Brokers Opens in Northeast Ohio; I am proud of the fact that we 1) support our own offices (Lakewood and Cleveland) and see brokers opens 2) see homes held open by brokers from other companies 3) schedule and participate in broker tours which happen when there are over ten homes in a particular neighborhood - this means other brokerages and my company, and we do maps, the whole ball of wax.  And yes, food lol.  Yesterday the highlight of my tour was at an agent's condo listing (he is with another company) and he made home made butternut squash soup.  Oh yes and the condo was magnificent!  Thanks for sharing about the practices in the Aloha State
Nov 15, 2006 04:46 PM
David Spencer
Keller Williams Northland - Kansas City, MO
Show Me real estate in Kansas City

Yes we do Broker tours in the Chicago area. Different days for different towns.

As a pre-license instructor, I tell students that Broker open houses are the only way to become familiar with the inventory. Most new agents are lost when they have to show houses. The broker tours help them to read and understand the language of directions on the MLS listing.

Nov 16, 2006 03:25 AM
Kengo Ueno
Prudential Locations LLC - Honolulu, HI
(R)
Wow, everyone seems to be doing broker's opens or broker tours no matter where your from.  That's great.  That's just the best way to get to know the inventory in your town and to make new connections!!!  I've got to get more disciplined and go every week. 
Nov 16, 2006 02:09 PM
Judy Kumano
Prudential Locations LLc - Honolulu, HI
I do them only in town and on the East side.  Doesn't seem to work on the Leeward side all that much.
Nov 17, 2006 10:02 AM
Nana Thain (R)
Locations, LLC. - Honolulu, HI
I make it when I can. I think that it's just a great way to see what's really available on the market besides just seeing it on the MLS.
Nov 24, 2006 08:36 AM