OPEN HOUSES. Love 'em or hate 'em?
What do you think about open houses? Consumers love them. Real estate pros differ from one to the next. Some love to hold open houses. Some love to hate them. Many believe they are a great service to their listing client, but see no hope of selling a house at an open house whatsoever. Some view it as an opportunity to gain buyer client leads. That is what generally happens to me. And some agents actually successfully sell houses from an open house. WOW! I am in awe of the agents who tend to sell houses from their open houses. It just doesn't usually work for me.
But don't get me wrong, I am perfectly happy to hold an open house. What I like about them? Hearing comments, good and bad, first-hand, from consumers and agents alike. Also, it forces the seller to get ready to sell right away. Make it show ready and open house ready right away and the odds of a sale are higher from the start. I am realistic with my seller clients, explaining I am happy to host, but not really highly likely to sell the house at the open house, but I love to try.
Today I am showing a couple houses in the N. Ft. Worth area who came to me a year ago at an open house. This young couple came to the open house, the house didn't work for them at all, but they asked for my help to find what would work. Right away I had them call a lender. They didn't qualify. It was a sad day, as I really liked them. A lot. Here we are a year later...
But today they called back! They qualify and they are ready to buy! It is a typical open house story, they come in, just because, they can't afford that one or can't buy at all at the time, but the relationship is forged and future business earned.
Happy to have them. Looking forward to my afternoon! And that's just one open house story. I have many more. What's your open house story?
Comments(0)