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How much do you think college football and the NFL season will affect doing open houses.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Hamm Homes

 

How much do you think college football and the NFL season will affect  doing open houses. 

 

Now that we are into the football season, do you think we will see less people out and about at open houses?  My business partner set us up to do an open house this Saturday from 11-2.  We have been passing on open houses but this one client asked us to do an open house.  Not sure if traffic will be less and if it is because of football, or people driving in the mountains to look for the leaves that are about ready to change.

 

I know not everyone are football fans but I have to say that on Sunday night, everyone will be seeing our Denver Broncos and Number 18, Peyton Manning, leading the team to a victory.

 

What is your take about open houses during football season.

 

Comments (68)

David Evans
RE/MAX TOWN AND COUNTRY - Cumming, GA
HUD NLB Cumming GA

It does effect our open houses in north GA! Attendance is cut to zero as soon as the season starts and runs through super bowl. Open house season ends when fall begins. Great post... ;)

Sep 08, 2012 03:02 AM
Andrew Ostrander
Ostrander Real Estate Group - Phoenix, AZ
Ostrander Real Estate Group

Yes, it definitely affects the turnout, but it is also smart to turn the games on, though I realize not everyone agrees.  Besides, its more interesting between visitors and typically creates a conversation point.

Sep 08, 2012 03:35 AM
Roger Newton
Roger Newton Real Estate - North Plains, OR

Go Oregon Ducks!  They usually play on Saturday evening.  NFL is not huge in here, so not too much effect.  I would probably watch an NFL game if I was holding an open house.

Sep 08, 2012 03:36 AM
Larry and Marilyn Mennetti
FIVE STAR REAL ESTATE - East Grand Rapids, MI

IF SOMEONE NEEDS A HOME THEY WILL BE OUT, IF THEY REALLY DON'T NEED A HOME..THEY WILL WATCH THE GAME...I DON'T NEED TO TALK TO THOSE PEOPLE....I WOULD RATHER SPEND MY TIME WITH SOMEONE WITH A NEED AND GENUINE INTEREST RATHER THAN A LOOKY-LOU OR LOOKY-LEWIS WHO TAKES TIME AWAY FROM THE SERIOUS PROSPECT. GIVE ME ONE SERIOUS PERSON IN A THREE HOUR OPEN HOUSE VERSUS 30 "JUST LOOKING " TYPES.

Sep 08, 2012 03:44 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

I think Larry and a few other have the right idea. Do you measure the success of an open house by the volume of traffic you get or by the number of serious buyers (or potential sellers looking for an agent that tends to business in spite of what game is being played).

Sep 08, 2012 04:16 AM
#53
Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

I haven't ever had a drop in attendance except for the Super Bowl or one of the major college bowls. If you are concerned about it, you can hold a theme open the day before a big game and bring in the sports fans.  How about including in the advertising of your open that you will be giving out pennants or decals or something for your local team, or hold a monthly drawing of all the names you've collected at your opens and the winner gets a pair of tickets to a game.

Monthly drawings work for me, and the guests will be sure to give you their complete and accurate contact info (no Mickey Mouse entries).  My sign up is on entry blanks rather than in a guest book.

Sep 08, 2012 04:23 AM
Anonymous
Janice Styles-Hall

I had the best open house I have ever had on a Super Bowl Sunday. I held it early afternoon and lucked out with a beautiful sunny day, a well priced entry level home. Over 150 people came (6 pages of sign in sheets) and we sold the house a few days later with 3 offers.  The one that actually bought it didn't come in to the open house because as she drove by there were so many cars. When she got to the office the next day one of the people she worked with told her the house was great so she came to see it the next day. The other 2 offers were from people who cme to the open house.

Sep 08, 2012 04:24 AM
#55
Kim Mulligan
Engel & Völkers Seattle/Eastside - Seattle, WA
Selling Homes for the 21st Century

I know it might shock some people, but it's not even on my radar. Held an open house during the men's swimming during the Olympics and just left the TV on with no sound. Worked out well, the interested serious buyers could take their time looking while the uninterested party kept up with games. Our market is moving pretty fast right now, the serious buyers will be at the open houses.

Sep 08, 2012 06:12 AM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

So are you happy we scheduled an open house now?  Wrote one contract and picked up a new buyer and didn't put one sign out....  Not a bad day considering football was on somewhere with some team.

Sep 08, 2012 08:49 AM
Arizona Home Group RE/MAX Excalibur
The Arizona Home Group - Scottsdale, AZ

I think football season definitley impacts open houses. I know personally we will not be doing any open houses on Sundays not just because we think traffic will be slow but because WE will be watching football ourselves....And WE here at Arizona Home Group will be rooting for our hometown team the STEELERS (we're from Pittsburgh) this Sunday against your Broncos ;-) Here's to a great football season! 

Sep 08, 2012 10:21 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Will. It's a Hit or a Miss when a Football game is on in the area. Knowing how popular the Broncos are this year, I would see it as a waste of time to host one during the Games.

Sep 08, 2012 10:46 PM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Will, we don't think it will have any effect - we don't do open houses and we don't watch football. lol

Sep 08, 2012 11:37 PM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

I have an open house today during the KC CHiefs home opener...but it's in an area where the homes aren't selling at all so I don't expect any traffic.  However, I will have the game on the TV to keep an eye on the score--plus, it sparks conversation with the visitors.

Sep 09, 2012 12:01 AM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Will:

Because our inventory is so low, people are out looking not matter what is going on.  However, I do see more women when the 49er's or the Raiders are playing.  

Sep 09, 2012 03:45 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I have to agree that was my findings. I no longer do them though because I personally feel they are a waste of time. Better to stay home with your family & watch!

Sep 09, 2012 04:53 AM
Pam Ruckriegel
Louisville Real Estate Pros - 502-435-5524 - Louisville, KY
Negotiating the Best Deal for You!

Last week, Labor Day Weekend, I was going to do an open, but it was the huge rivalry game between University of Louisville Cardinals vs. the Kentucky Wildcats College Foodball as well as the season opener for both teams.  You can bet that one got canceled!  The week before, I was going to do one at the same house, but the road to that home was going to be full of Ironman contestants on their 112 mile bike ride and we canceled that one too.  We are for sure sports fans here in Louisville, KY!

Sep 09, 2012 11:13 AM
Brad Baylor
ERA Coup Agency - Milton, PA

Will - I conducted an open house on Sunday, September 9 from 1 to 3 PM.  Not one person showed up, despite the signs for the open house being displayed since last Tuesday.  I would say that the NFL season had something to do with it, but who knows?  Open houses are a big waste of time in my market anyway.

Sep 09, 2012 11:53 PM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I think it can have some impact.  Might be a good idea not to schedule them when the local team is playing.  

Sep 10, 2012 06:49 AM
Nan Jester
Exit Real Estate Gallery Jacksonville Beach, FL - Jacksonville Beach, FL
Realtor, Exit Real Estate Gallery

Having a pro team that has games on Sunday in a town, really does affect traffic. I used to sit on site with builders and there was almost no point in going to work on these days.

Sep 11, 2012 01:00 AM
Liane Thomas, Top Listing Agent
Professional Realty Services® - Corona, CA
Bringing you Home!

I find doing open houses during football fun. Have the game on, and it entertains me and the husbands while the wives drag them open house.

Sep 25, 2012 08:10 AM