Many years ago, when MLS books were given out and you could find a Real Estate office in nearly every neighborhood, the most pleasant experience for all concerned was holding and or attending an open house. It wasn't just for buyers and seller either. Neighbors got a chance to see the inside of a home that they only knew from the outside. Ideas, making new friends and of course the most valuable data of all...THE PRICING awaited them
NEST EGGS
You see a neighbor was always interested in the price of a home that was either selling or had sold. A little math then told that person what their little nest egg home was worth. In those days, equity in a home was like having money in the bank only you didn't know how much you actually had. You only could guess. Every-time something came up, you get to visit with your equity... Every home owner loved this subject
OPEN HOUSE
Open house consist of signs that lead up to the home and then the home itself. Flags and an open doorway were not uncommon and seeing people drive up, look for parking, stopping and then pull out just built the excitement similar to a garage sale today. Remember, when others see others gathered around or staring, it just says there is something worth looking into here. That is the power of an open house
SUBJECT TOO
Today, the flavor and personal touch to the open house may have been compromised for reasons we can and cannot control. The Internet has made the open home OPEN literally 24/7. So what is the point of actually going to see a home unless you are going to inspect it before making an offer. Even today people make offers without inspections using the "subject to" clause languages.
OPEN AND SHUT
Demand for homes has interfered with holding an open. Today, before you can have an open, offers and interest are pouring in many from word of mouth or early bird shoppers in touch with their agents daily. If a sign goes up, inquires follow making an open house an unnecessary step
THIS HOME COMES WITH....
If I was to hold an open house to sell a home in a buyers market, it would probably be to showcase the unusual features or privileges of the home. That being the case, I would make it a memorable and special event to gather as much interest as I could. That would include balloons, signs, flags, curb appeal, open door and me even sitting on the porch or outside too
STOP IN, HAVE FUN AND DO BUSINESS TOO
I would have little trinkets, gifts, calendars, bottled water, pens, business cards and prizes for random fun makes no sense drawings for showing up, giving an opinion and commenting too. BBQ ing some hot dogs and playing some light music would all add to the public relating of the home. But this is an overkill in today's open house dynamics. Don't laugh because that is what other agents did at one time to attract agents who had clients
TRACT AND MODEL HOMES OPENS
When selling tract homes for a builder/developer, a sales office was set-up along with models of the homes staged with fencing that controlled the traffic and flow. Brochures, with pictures and floor-plans, plus title and loan reps would be standing by to assist and support the potential buyer while they toured the model homes and their decorative accents....A good stager can help you sell effectively and efficiently too
HEY...KEEP ME IN MIND
What I used to get out of open homes was a chance to meet with people and be known because an agents business comes from word of mouth. In essence instead of knocking on doors pounding pavement, you hold an open and people come to you. I make it fun, inviting memorable and keep in mind that it is a living advertisement to people who may be buying or selling soon and not just that day
They get to see the operation up close and personal and people like that
Comments (8)Subscribe to CommentsComment