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SUPERBOWL SUNDAY - A Great Day to Have an Open House...or Is It?

By Jeff Dowler, CRS

Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

January 29, 2007 02:46 PM

One of the most popular sports and TV events in the history of the world (I exaggerate for effect here) is coming in no time at all - SUPERBOWL SUNDAY. Last year there were an estimated 141 MILLION viewers, give or take a few hundred thousand. This is pretty staggering. It's almost more of a holiday than some of the real ones.

I am not a Bowl fanatic, but I do pay attention, nand generally find myself ensconced in front of the TV for some of the time. And if I'm at a party at least SOME of the time the eyes are trained on the tube.

So who is holding an open house? Is this smart or folly? I never have, simply because it didn't make sense to do so...but perhaps I'm wrong. The opinions vary dramatically - some folks say NEVER, others say it works for them with advertising, goodies, etc. Some feel it's like the holiday season - if they are out looking they are SERIOUS buyers (or maybe they DON"T watch the bowl and see this as a way to escape bedlam at home). For others it's a complete waste of time. Soooo......

Is Superbowl Sunday the best day to hold an open house? Or the worst? Let's hear from fans and non-fans alike. What's YOUR vote! And if you aren't holding an OH, whatcha doin'?

And if you do plan on doing an OH, or have in the past, what has worked for you? How has it been different?

GO BEARS! GO COLTS!!

Nope, I'm not saying who I'm rooting for...yet.

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Freddie Moorer

Weichert Realtors - Plainsboro, NJ

I had one. It was lonely.... very lonely.

Freddie

Catch me here.

Feb 01, 2007 02:31 AM

Jessica Martin

Virtual Assistant Services, Inc. - Fort Myers, FL

Lic. RE Agent & Virtual Asst.

Wheter it's Superbowl or anyday-- OH's and floor time as of lately have been nothing but *lonely*. Hmmmn, which brought me here to AR today. :*) It is though a great time to plan and catch up. Let's not forget it only takes ONE buyer and not everybody loves the game.

Feb 01, 2007 03:45 AM

Ronald Sweeney

Prudential One, Realtors - Troy, OH

My seller insists that I have Open House this weekend. Maybe he knows more than I do, or just hopes we get lucky. OH is 2-4 and game does not start until later. I'll miss the pre-game party though. Maybe I should tell him to leave the beer and chips out for me?

Feb 01, 2007 04:56 AM

Andi Yates

Prudential CA - Beverly Hills, CA

I'm not going to have any of my listings open this weekend...I had a huge open house last weekend with an incredible response. I think that we all need to take a day off on Sunday and enjoy, party and of course network.

I am curious if any of you do hold an open how the turn out is though.

Feb 01, 2007 06:59 AM

Brian Ortiz

HomeSmart - Chicago, IL

Chicago Real Estate Broker

Well here in Chicago, I know pretty much most Realtors are doing nothing on Sunday. I believe Chicago has made Sunday into some type of holiday for the city.

Not only with a team in the Super Bowl and the high temperature prediction of 6 (six) degrees for Sunday, I think if anyone leaves their homes, it's for a Super Bowl party.

GO BEARS!!!

Brian Ortiz

Chicago, IL

Feb 01, 2007 07:07 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Brian - Not surprised. I think the game is the better choice given the weather, and who is playing

Andi - sounds like a good plan.

Ronald - good luck on Sunday. Think the beer and ships is the least you can expect.

Jessica - that is so true. Let's hope that anyone holding an OH Sunday GETS that one buyer!

Freddie - I have heard the same from many others.

Rick - yeah, 6 hours of shows AND tons of advertising.

Susan - good for you. Sounds like it's well deserved.

Leigh - thanks for pointing that out. Something we should all keep in mind

Deneen - good idea. Hope it works for you

Brad - good luck. Plenty of sign, I hope. Maybe they will let you do something special over at the mall

BTW Go Bears!!

Jeff

Feb 01, 2007 07:17 AM

Jeff Tomas

Accounting and Tax - Rockford, IL

Accountant

YES!!!!! Way to go Jeff. BEAR DOWN... CHICAGO BEARS!!

Feb 01, 2007 09:35 AM

Tricia Jumonville

Bradfield Properties - Georgetown, TX

Texas REALTOR , Agent With Horse Sense

I got a new listing and the seller asked if I'd be holding an open house this Sunday. I pointed out that (a) it was Superbowl Sunday and (b) at that time, the temps were predicted to be in the teens (a major event in this area).

We're having the open house on the 11th. SHE decided that no one was likely to turn up! ;-)

Feb 02, 2007 04:11 AM

Virginia Halter

RE/MAX Signature Properties - Harrisburg, NC

ABR, CDPE, CRS, GREEN, SFR, SRES

Hey, the game starts at 625pm. Have the open house right as the church crowd is going home. And get home in time to watch the pre-game!!

Feb 02, 2007 04:38 AM

Eli Allen

Keller Williams Realty Boise - Boise, ID

Do you think it would be a good Idea to hold a open house, that is more of a party where people are all invited over for food or a potluck to expose the home and they are all welcome to stay and watch the game. Maybe go to a Rent to Own store and rent the biggest TV you can get for the weekend?

Feb 02, 2007 06:44 AM

Linda Rike

Linda Rike Real Estate - Morehead City, NC

ABR, CRS, GRI, GREEN, SRES, RSPS

No open houses here. Everyone is cooking and getting ready to enjoy the game with family and friends. Or they are at the annual Chocolate Festival being held here this weekend at the Crystal Coast Civic Center. It's one of those winter Sundays at the beach that we look forward to just relaxing and then cheering.

Linda Rike, ABR, CRS, GRI, RRS, SRES, CLHMS, SRS

Morehead City NC

Feb 04, 2007 05:22 AM

Kay Van Kampen

RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO

Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate

Jeff, no open houses today! Weather too cold, so took out an ad to promote the website. Worked better than the open house. Watch the football game while I revise the Top Producer letter campaigns. (Better than eating)!

Feb 04, 2007 11:46 AM

Erica Attewell

RE/MAX Omega - Medina, OH

I say no but I've some early showings on my listings and I showed a buyer today. It might be a profitable day whether I did an open house or not! The super bowl starts late and it depends on the people. You might have a few wives or non-sport fanatics!

Feb 04, 2007 12:14 PM

Thomas Osbeck

Oz Marketing - Dothan, AL

With a little planning you could have made an open house super bowl event. Imagine offering you clients the opportunity to watch the game on a big screen tv at your open house? Great relationship builder.

Tom

Feb 04, 2007 12:35 PM

Steve Mun

Keller Williams Silicon Valley - Santa Clara, CA

Silicon Valley Realtor

Jeff,

I actually held an open house on sunday and had quite a bit of traffic. I was suprised at the volume.

Steve Mun, Silicon Valley Reatlor
www.stevemun.com

Feb 05, 2007 05:31 PM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Steve - congrats. Good news for you. Any buyers that want to hire you? Buy the house?

Tom- good suggestion. Wonder if this has worked well for those who do OHs on Bowl Day?

You're right Erica - and I took out a buyer for a bit early in the day so he could see the game (out here it started at 3ish).

Kay - yep you guys really are suffering with the weather. It was 84 here yesterday!!

Jeff T - I cheered but it did no good. Good game though.

Tricia - glad to hear it worked out. But some people had a good day (Steve Mun for example).

Virginia- good suggestion. Wonder how many will actually do that? Although out here the game is 3 hours earlier. :(

Interesting thought, Eli. Thanks for your suggestion.

Sounded like a good idea, Linda. It was beach day here too but a bit warmer tan I expect you got. :)

Jeff

Feb 06, 2007 12:27 PM

Jeff Tomas

Accounting and Tax - Rockford, IL

Accountant

I cheered too. Especially on the kick off. Next year is another season though. Maybe next year the bears will want it more than their opponents.

Feb 06, 2007 01:21 PM

Desiree Daniels

RE/MAX Tri County - Robbinsville, NJ

Just a side note 2 of my assistants did open houses on Sunday both were very busy and both were unadvertised... just signs and balloons. I think you always have to keep in mind the time the game starts.

and YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH COLTS

Feb 06, 2007 02:00 PM

George Tallabas

RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID

Idaho Real Estate

Jeff, As a 27 year veteran of real estate and after training over 50 Realtors I can tell you that open houses in Idaho are a poor investment. I feel the Realtor is better off spending their money on color fliers, a powerful web site and marketing the listing to Realtors in the area.

Feb 19, 2007 03:06 AM

Thomas Osbeck

Oz Marketing - Dothan, AL

George I believe that open houses are failures becasue of poor planning, marketing and a belief that they will fail. If you believe something is not worthwhile that you will receive your wish. It is one of the Laws of Attraction. You get what you ask for.

Just because you have been doing something for 27 years does not mean that it has been done right and that it will not work for others. I have posted some open house ideas on my blog at www.reagentmarketing.blogspot.com. I urge you to check out my ideas on successful open houses and why they should be done.

Have a great week.

Tom Osbeck

Personal Relationship Marketing Mentor

Let me help you to success

334-803-0233

Feb 19, 2007 04:32 AM