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The Truth about Open Houses….Productive or Waste of Time

Real Estate Agent with Sun Lakes Realty DRE #01492138

May 19, 2013 04:59 PM

The Truth about Open Houses….Productive or Waste of Time

As Realtors, we all have our personal preferences regarding ‘Open Houses’ and sometimes they work for one property and not for another. One open house can get 25 visitors and another maybe 3. So go figure……is it the weather, the date, or just luck? Or maybe it has to do with advertising the event?

Location- It depends on what type of location the house is in whether you have a good turnout or not.

Myth- Some say the only reason an agent has one is to get a new buyer or seller and not to really sell this home.

Realtor’s Personal choice-Usually if the agent like them, they can talk the seller into allowing them.

Client’s preference- Some want them and others say no way.

Combo Box or Lack of Combo Box- if there is no combo, an open house is great to get buyers inside.

What kind of open house do you do?

Authors Comments: I had one yesterday and had over 10 groups. 3 came at closing time so I think if I would have stayed open longer, I would have had another offer.

Kristin Hamilton DRE #014092138 Keller Williams Realty – I am a full time agent and deal in all types of real estate transactions. Trusts, Probate, Short Sales, Standard Listing, Single Family Homes, Apartments 1-4 units, Duplexes and Condos. I am also an experienced REO agent. I sell real estate in the Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties. I am a trained and experienced Short Sale agent. If you are looking for a professional and experienced agent, I am just a click away. Google me at Kristin Hamilton-Real Estate Agent. Homeowners and Buyers both will find my services top notch and successful. Call me to sell your home; both traditional and short sales.

California is a dream-come-true state no matter what your needs or wants are. We have year round warm weather, beautiful beaches, rustic mountains and desert communities. If you are looking for a home in Southern California, please contact me. I am a local California Realtor, live in the Inland Empire community and am aware of the local market. I am here to help you find a home or to sell the home you currently own. California has great opportunities to view Nature and Bird Watching. Whatever your needs are, you will find it here in California! From the Inland Empire you are 45 minutes to the beaches, mountains or desert. Housing is affordable in the Inland Empire area!

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Disclaimer: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice. All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Kristin Hamilton and may not be used without the expressed written permission

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Kristin Hamilton CA Realtor

Sun Lakes Realty - Banning, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Debb,

I think it just depends on many factors like weather, location, price and the market. I like to go to new construction homes as it is good for ideas plus sometimes I have a buyer who might not have thought of a new home. Thanks for stopping by.

May 20, 2013 03:03 AM

Lyn Sims

RE/MAX Suburban - Schaumburg, IL

Schaumburg Real Estate

No way! Stay home with your family - waste of time all the way around. Gee, which group am I in?

May 20, 2013 03:33 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I've found that some 90% of my sellers do not want an open house for security and privacy reasons. Over the years, I've found that if a property is well marketed on line, people treat it as a virtual open house and then call for a private showing. I tend to prefer this as well, from a security standpoint.

May 20, 2013 03:41 AM

Michael Blue

Home Smart Realty West - Encinitas, CA

REALTOR - 760-889-8877, Encinitas/Carlsbad

I like em if all the requirements line up. The amount of new business can be a money maker.

May 20, 2013 04:33 AM

Larry Lawfer

YourStories Realty Group powered by Castles Unlimited® - Newton, MA

"I listen for a living." It's all about you.

I love open houses, but I won't do a lot of them for any home. It is selective and always in the first week of the home coming on the market, I do not do it later, unless I can get the home featured in one of the papers or magazines, then I do an open house the day the article comes out. I don't take homes in dangerous neighborhoods, but the truth is any neighborhood can be dangerous. I never work alone, I always have another agent or a lender with me. Most serious buyers come with Agents, but you can also pick up new buyers who are just starting out as well.

May 20, 2013 04:48 AM

Patty Da Silva, Davie, Southwest Ranches Cooper City, Plantation, Weston, REALTOR

BROKER of Green Realty Properties® - 954-667-7253 - Davie, FL

Top Listing Broker

Kristin,

Some sellers like open houses so I will hold one up for them but this market is so good that with a property priced correctly, with good pictures and ad material, an open house is hardly needed.

May 20, 2013 06:13 AM

Adrian Willanger

206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA

Profit from my two decades of experience

I like open houses if they have a good location, if they don't I typically won't waste my time.

May 20, 2013 06:13 AM

Kristin Hamilton CA Realtor

Sun Lakes Realty - Banning, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Anthony,

I am glad you had a good experience and picked up a buyer last Saturday. I appreciate your comments and glad you stopped by. Have a successful week.

May 20, 2013 06:25 AM

Kristin Hamilton CA Realtor

Sun Lakes Realty - Banning, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Dee,

I think you got some good leads and will a few emails, you might have a couple in escrow. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week.

May 20, 2013 06:27 AM

Kristin Hamilton CA Realtor

Sun Lakes Realty - Banning, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Betty,

I think it has been debated successfully and we all have a multitude of opinions but so far it seems like half and half with a few exceptions. I have had homes that i never had open houses as they either sold to fast or sometimes due to security issues but mostly I do at least one in the first week.

May 20, 2013 06:31 AM

Kristin Hamilton CA Realtor

Sun Lakes Realty - Banning, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Lynn,

I appreciate your opinion and many feel exactly the same. I like to do them and usually bring a little work so if it is slow, i can work on my computer but Saturday it was swamped the entire time.

May 20, 2013 06:36 AM

Kristin Hamilton CA Realtor

Sun Lakes Realty - Banning, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

H Nina,

I understand and have had sellers who did not want open houses and after a few weeks they sometimes call and say they have changed their minds and think it might help. In this market, everything seems to sell fast but I can do want I can to promote it in person as well. I set appointments especially if the other agent is too far a way so I do not mind showing his/her buyers. I never turn down a chance to sell for my client's best interest. Thanks for stopping.

May 20, 2013 06:41 AM

Tim Stone

Evergreen Realty - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Tim4Homes

I've found that highlighted listings with Open House on them would entice people to drive a long distance. Some want to be unencumbered with an agent. In other cases agents sent their clients to look at an open house.

I think one or two open houses for a property are nice to get it introduced. Its also a good way to meet the neighbors.

May 20, 2013 06:46 AM

Robert Bob Gilbert

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX

Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Kristin, Congrats on the featured post. I stopped doing open housees as a few years ago no one was coming and it was a total waste of time and money. I might try to hold again based on reading blogs such as yours . I also found no one who did attend would even consider giving their correct name on a signin sheet.

May 20, 2013 08:32 AM

Kristin Hamilton CA Realtor

Sun Lakes Realty - Banning, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Michael,

I agree that they can serve a dual purpose but usually it makes the client happy and that is what is so important. Thanks for stopping by.

May 20, 2013 01:43 PM

Kristin Hamilton CA Realtor

Sun Lakes Realty - Banning, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Larry,

I like your ideas about doing one the first week and then if the property gets featured. It is good advertising for the home and also for you. Have a great week and glad you are concerned about agent safety as it is important.

May 20, 2013 01:45 PM

Kristin Hamilton CA Realtor

Sun Lakes Realty - Banning, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Patty,

You are so right about pricing it right and having good pictures. In this market so many go very fast. If they are listed on Monday, they are Pending by Saturday so it never happens. Have a great week.

May 20, 2013 01:55 PM

Kristin Hamilton CA Realtor

Sun Lakes Realty - Banning, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Erica,

That is a good idea. When we did the NAR Open House Event, we did (2) 2hour shifts with other agents so it would be a big success and lots and lots of signs. I think my end was the busiest time yesterday. I didn't get out until 4:20 pm.

May 20, 2013 02:18 PM

Kristin Hamilton CA Realtor

Sun Lakes Realty - Banning, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Tim,

That is a good idea and it is very nice to get your name around the area for new sellers. I think 1-2 is usually enough to advertise the home. Thanks for stopping.

May 20, 2013 02:20 PM

Kristin Hamilton CA Realtor

Sun Lakes Realty - Banning, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Robert,

I had a paper sign in sheet I make up on the computer and put my name and logo on but I heard the best thing last week at an iPad class. There are iPad apps for open houses and if the guest puts in a bogus email, the iPad will not accept it and alert you. That would be so funny.

May 20, 2013 02:23 PM

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