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How do you obtain contact info during an open house?

By
Real Estate Agent

We have all done open houses, some successful and others not as successful. As always my personal gage of it being successful or not is measured by the number of contacts I come away with. Of course it goes without saying that if you sold the house and got several good contacts that would be like hitting the jackpot!

But in the real world what methods do you use to gain as much contact info as possible? Direct conversation is of course my first choice, second would be asking potential clients to sign in as they stroll through. I typically make up a sign in sheet and try to make it look as NON-THREATENING to clients as I can. I know some Agents use a blank stationary type book with a nice ribbon to mark the page.

So I have read and talked to a lot of you who say that "I make your livings off open houses" or "I built my business from open houses" what do you do?

The only real talkative people I seem get are already working with an Agent and feel secure in opening up to me. Is it my sign on the front door "Sign in or Don't come in" that turns them away? NOT really! But a thumb print and retinal scan would be OK with me!

I have asked potential clients, "the owner and my Broker ask that you sign in" or "the owner would like to have an idea of how many people have come through" or even "please leave your name and any comments about the house you have".

There must be some comman threads that work most of the time, nothing is going to be fool proof.

I do really enjoy the creativity of some people though when I read through them at the end of the open, Mr. Mike Mainstreet, Joe Kmart, Dr. Pepper, and all the phone number are 000-555-1212?

What are your ideas and thoughts?

How about, sign in for a $50 grand prize to be given away at the end of the open house, you need not be present to win!

 

Thanks in advance,

Rod

 

Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

Hi Rod - The easiest way to get accurate info from your open house guests is to have monthly drawings for a prize that costs about $25.  I have drawings for a gift certificate to a nice local restaurant.  Everyone wants to win, and they all give me accurate info so I can contact them if they win.  The cost of the prize is tax deductible, and I contact everyone after the drawing to let them know whether or not they won.  It gives me another chance to chat with them. 

Also, on my entry blanks, I ask whether they are planning to buy in the next 3 or 6 or 12 months, or if they are not interested in buying.  If they say they are not, I ask them if they know someone who is.  I have written several posts about how I do open houses.

May 18, 2011 12:28 PM
Jon Cagle
Senior Loan Officer at US Bank Home Mortgage - Eugene, OR
Lane County Oregon - Direct FHA, VA, USDA Lender

Rod, I think the monthly contest is a great idea! Of course you can always have your favorite Mortgage Lender, (me) there to help people sign in! Great blog kepp it up!

May 20, 2011 05:27 AM
Rod Carlile
Eugene, OR

Great info Susan thanks, I did an open today and will do another one tomorrow. Poor attendance today only 3 people and 2 were "non buying" neighbors just curious because I left a flyer on their door on Thursday. But back to your $25 dinner prize. How do you advertise it, in your open house ad or just at your sign in table / sheet? Have you had good luck with restaurants doing a co-op with you ($25 coupon for 50% off)?

So do you advertize the dinner give away prior to the open or just at the open? Also you only do one dinner prize per month not per open house correct?

May 21, 2011 07:17 PM