Special offer

Open Houses Can Work

By
Real Estate Agent with Aksland Real Estate

I have lately read quite a few posts on Active Rain that have said that it is not worth an agents time to do an open house.  What are the benefits of doing an open house, besides to reassure the home owner that you are doing everything possible to sell their home? There are many, and I recently have had situations that make it all worth it.

Two weeks ago I was doing an open house at a condo listing in Modesto and only had five or six people walk in that day.  I got all their information, but one person really liked the listing and took a special interest in it.   I now have an offer on the table where I represent both parties involved in the transaction. If I had not done an open house that weekend, then I would not be in this position. In addition, I also have gotten listings by people dropping in to open houses, looking for a realtor to sell their home.  Maybe I am in the minority and most people do not have things like this happen to them, but for doing 10 open houses to have 1 full transaction and 1 listing, to me seems worth it.

Yes, I know that open houses can be non-entertaining, but there are many things that can be done, such as calls, pop-bys, paperwork, read a good book, etc.  The key thing is how are you being productive while you are at the open houses. 

So the next time a client asks me to do an open house, I will  tell them... Absolutely Yes!

Comments (10)

Michael (Mike) Elliott
Nottingham Real Estate Group - Hamilton, NJ
They do work.  As a matter of fact, they work alot more than most agents.
Feb 28, 2008 01:34 AM
Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY
Matthew,  I have never been a fan of open houses myself.  But, I have recently moved to Owensboro, so I will see for myself if it works here.  It seems to be a big thing here, and apparently helps sell the houses.  Well, actually the people in this area know that the house will be "open"  and that is when they choose to look!  I am willing to do whatever it takes, so time will tell if it is productive. 
Feb 28, 2008 01:38 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate
Hi Matthew - Open Houses are such a hit or miss for me - I never seem to have a so-so one.  Either they tank or they are outrageously busy.  I can not find a correlation between advertising differently, etc.  I do agree with you that some wonderful things can and do happen at them at times!
Feb 28, 2008 01:40 AM
Jonelle Simons
Windermere Real Estate - Park City, UT
I agree with hit or miss.... I think a lot of an open houses' success is the location, and how much sineage you are allowed to get people there.
Feb 28, 2008 01:43 AM
Mary Luz-Johnsen
Concierge Notary Services, LLC - Cape Coral, FL
I love them.  If not for nothing else but because the neighbors will all come over to check the place out. I have picked up business from a clients neighbor, mostly to help a friend find a home.  I have also done a Wednesday night  home spotlight that I advertise to Realtors.  Wine, cheese and light snacks, Then you get the Realtors to view the home. 
Feb 28, 2008 01:52 AM
Scott Guay
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services PenFed Realty - Ocean Pines, MD
Associate Broker. Ocean City and Ocean Pines MD

Open Houses can work if you have the time to do them.  If not have another agent sit them for you.  Also the time can be productive if you have a laptop and either the home owner or a neighbor has an unsecured wireless connection.

Feb 28, 2008 02:01 AM
Matthew Zgonc
Aksland Real Estate - Modesto, CA
Realtor, CFS, CVS

You never know what will happen during one and I know agents that spend tons of money on advertising and get no results, while others just put signs out and get a sale and lots of visitors. I think it boils down to location, location, location.

Feb 28, 2008 02:04 AM
Katy Crofts
Keller Williams Realty - Olympia - Olympia, WA
Realtor - Olympia, WA
As a new agent, I sat open houses for other agent's listings last summer. I feel like I did all the right things with putting out flyers in the neighborhood a day or two ahead of time, sending emails to my database, good signage, but without much traffic or quality leads. I am still optimistic though! I'm partnering up with another agent this weekend to do two open houses in the same neighborhood. We'll see...
Feb 28, 2008 02:14 AM
Matthew Zgonc
Aksland Real Estate - Modesto, CA
Realtor, CFS, CVS

I did the same thing Katy.  A lot of it depends upon the market and the location. I have had 0 show up and 10 groups at the same location on different weekends. Eventually it pays off.

Feb 28, 2008 02:30 AM
* Rate A Home
Rate A Home - Saugatuck, MI

Matthew, you only need one buyer to make a bunch of open houses worth the time.

Jun 25, 2008 01:16 AM