Found this at the realtor.com site
Creative marketing goes a long way in a slow real estate market. One strategy that's working for many practitioners is hosting parties, thereby exposing a property to hoards of potential buyers and real estate practitioners.
Holly Barr is one example. When the real estate practitioner of Better Homes Realty in San Jose, Calif., had trouble finding a buyer for a home, she joined forces with other real estate practitioners to hold a "progressive open house."
It worked like this: 11 homes held open houses on the same weekday evening from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Each of the practitioners provided refreshments and chipped in to buy prizes such as Nordstrom gift cards for visitors who viewed all 11 properties.
The parties worked. Barr sold her listing for $555,000 - $10,000 less than the asking price. Another real estate professional who participated in the progressive open house found the buyer.
Similar social events also have worked for other area practitioners.
Brad Le of Coldwell Banker threw a cocktail reception at a town home he listed in San Jose. The $250 he spent on catered hors d'oeuvres paid off. The home got two purchase offers the following week; one came from someone who attended the party.
And Cheryl DeGolia of Peninsula Homes Realty in the Silicon Valley area has held neighborhood wine-and-cheese parties lately to help publicize her listings, hand-delivering invitations in advance. The neighbors appreciate the party and the chance to look around another neighbor's home, she says, and the owners ``just like to know you've done everything'' to market their home.
Oh, By the Way...whenever you come across people who are looking to buy or sell,
please forward me their name and phone number. I am never too busy for any of your referrals.
EXIT FINE PROPERTIES
DC Office, Top Producer
Owner, Realtor® DC, VA, MD
Direct: (202) 550-8484
Fax: (202) 318-6520
Web site: BorisMiric.com
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