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Another take on Open Houses

By
Real Estate Agent with Atlanta Communities 303302

Over the years I have done open houses and then didn't do open houses. I sort of blew with the wind on this. Sometimes I would have folks show up at the event, and many times I had no one, nada, zilch. These were the times that made me want to scrap Open Houses altogether. I may have been a bit hasty.

Consider this. If you hold open your own open house, what is your upside? You could sell the listing but NAR says the odds are against you. Way against you. You could pick up a buyer for another home, but what good did you do for your listing?

Here's what I am starting to believe. An open house should be in your quiver of tactics used to sell a listing. The agent that holds it open should not be you. Get another agent from your office to do the open house. Why? Because by the end of the day they will know this listing very well. You already know your own listing. Get other agents in the loop and knowledgeable about your listing. Open houses are supposed to give your listing more exposure. What better way to get that exposure than to get other agents knowledgeable about the listing?

So this year, I will begin doing open houses again. Even have directional signs printed up with my information and face for extra branding, but I will not be the one holding the home open.

Posted by

Peter den Boer, Associate Broker, Realtor

Atlanta Communities Real estate Brokerage

 

Ph. 770.713.1545

www.denboerhomes.com

 

I write about daily life as a Realtor in the Towne Lake Community in Woodstock Georgia.

Comments(6)

Bette Gottwald
UNITED REAL ESTATE | Central PA - Mechanicsburg, PA
"Bet"on Central PA Real Estate!

Peter, I agree with what you said about having another agent sit your open house, but had never thought about it in the manner which you stated.  Great point!

Jan 23, 2014 06:24 AM
Scott Larson
BHHS/Utah Properties - Park City, UT
Park City, Utah Real Estate News

I think that is a great way to look at open houses Peter.  And the fact remains that in Park City at least, open houses are a very viable way to meet buyers.

Jan 23, 2014 07:50 AM
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Good evening Peter,

I do one each week for my Broker; and like the idea of doing one for other listers in the office expanding my knowledge of homes.

I also try to do as many Broker Opens as possible for the same reason; well I lied a little for the free lunches also.

Make yourself a great day.

Jan 23, 2014 07:53 AM
Kaye Swain
Keller Williams Real Estate Roseville CA - Roseville, CA
Your Roseville Real Estate Agent

What a smart idea! And you are so right! Every time I've worked an open house, I've learned more about the area and the houses. I'll definitely keep this idea in mind in both ways. Thanks.

Jan 23, 2014 02:30 PM
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

Definitely an idea worth trying! Maybe it would get open house up and selling again!!

Jan 23, 2014 09:07 PM
Harold Smith
Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices - Acworth, GA

I do it to meet new prospects but have never sold the house I was holding open.

Jan 24, 2014 02:26 AM