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Open House Sign-In Sheets

By Christopher Smith

Real Estate Agent with TREGO REALTY

August 17, 2006 04:58 AM

I know that some Realtors do not have Open Houses in some areas of the country, but to those that do, what are your thoughts on Open House Sign-In Sheets. It seems like sometimes you have to tread lightly when asking for personal information. You don't want to seem like the "Realtor Stalker", and as soon as the ink dries on the sign-in sheet, you are mercilessly hounding the person into changing the locks on his house, and getting a new phone number to avoid being hassled. Okay, that's a little extreme, but you get my point. I believe in offering something of value to the person walking in my door. If they have a house and it's not on the market, then I offer to do a CMA for them free of charge. I also offer a letter with The Ten Mistakes a Seller Makes When Selling Their House. I want to be known as a value added Realtor, providing a service above and beyond the norm. For those of us that do Open Houses, I would love to here what items you might offer prospective clients, or how you get them to sign their name to eventually become a prospect. Thank you!

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Ann Guy

NA - Allentown, PA

Hi Chris,

I have been to a few open houses with some of my realtors (I am a mortgage consultant). They all had sign in sheets. However, one did not "force" any visitor to sign in upon arrival. However, she did try to converse more with those who did not sign in. She also had other MLS listing of homes within a price range of the open house. I know even though some clients were not comfortable with sharing their info at the open house, they were more then willing to give it to her in order to go look at others.

Aug 17, 2006 09:01 AM

Teri Isner

Keller Williams Realty at the Lakes - Orlando, FL

GRI, CRS, CIPS

We have always used sign in sheets. When someone turned up with a family we just asked one member to sign in...if they refused we always made sure to get their car license number.

Aug 17, 2006 09:56 AM

Eric Bouler

Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La. - New Orleans, LA

Listening to your Needs

I have my custom sign in sheet. It always helps to have one signed in on your sheet so others will follow. You need to make people feel good. I give free sqiggle pens with sign ins and tell the people I will call them several times a week and inundate them with emails,they laugh and sign in. eric

Aug 17, 2006 12:32 PM

Deleted Account

Delete - Cedar Rapids, IA

I have never done a sign in sheet. I remember looking at houses at one time and always got very irritated when a REALTOR would ask me to do them. I just didn't like feeling pressured to put my name on a sheet, so I decided that I wouldn't do that to anyone when I started.

Aug 21, 2006 03:10 AM

Taiane de Gregorio

Sunvest Communities USA - Orlando, FL

I've always had sign in sheets on my open houses.

I think it's helpful for you to get some info out of that person that is looking for a home or maybe just a nosy neighbor that's going to try to sell his home later.

That way you can always contact them in the future with, some postcards, newsletters, or whatever you want to send them, that might help you get their business. When I ask for them to sign in, I tell them is just for the seller to keep track of their open houses, people usually never refuse, they aways sign in!!

Aug 22, 2006 07:41 AM

Anonymous

Lisa Cowles

Hi Chris

I'm encouraging the agents in my office to get guests to sign. I found the best way is to simply post a sign on the front door. "Welcome, Open House, Please sign Guest List" I'm still surprised when guests come in and ask where they need to sign in. I've had an agent suggest the names will be used as a drawing for a gift certificate....but I don't know if I like that idea. What are your thoughts?

Additionally I do use the names to send a hand written thank you card for visiting.

Jan 19, 2007 01:41 AM

Taylor Sublet

I have a sign-in sheet at every open house. While I have spaces for address, email and phone number as well, I tell them that only their name and city are required so that I can "keep track of traffic during the open house for my client". If they offer more information than that, I consider that permission to follow up with a thank you note or email. Without a sheet out, it can be very difficult to get someone's information even if you did build up a rapport with them.

May 02, 2007 04:57 PM

Nina Trevino

I ask clients if they would like to sign my book. If not I ask if they would like to leave their e-mail address and they usually do. I also give small address books away and inside I put my business card. I buy the address books at the 99 cent store. They seem too like it, I don't even have to ask them it they want one, they just take it.

May 09, 2007 03:49 AM

Robert Thomas

Fairfax Realty Inc - Columbia, SC

Chris, the sign-in sheet is part of our office open House checklist. I don't leave home without one.

Jul 02, 2007 03:40 AM

Michael Mahoney

Real Broker, LLC - Boston, MA

Boston Realtor

I happened upon this blog entry since I was looking for an open house guest register template.

I was reading some of the responses to this.

If you are going to stand in someone's house for an open house, and open the doors for all of these wonderful prospects and not collect their names and number, I can only say one thing and that is that you are crazy!

You are a sale person! You sell real estate for a living. Yes, it's uncomfortable. So is being broke. GET A GRIP, WE DON'T NEED MORE PEOPLE ON THE GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PLAN! CHANGE CAREERS OR LEARN THAT YOU SELL THINGS AND THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BUY THINGS! PERIOD.

Mike Mahoney

http://www.mmahoney.com

Realtor in Greater Boston

Feb 07, 2009 12:49 AM

Evelyn Johnston

Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN

The People You Know, Like and Trust!

I too was hoping for a sign in sheet example. I am re-designing mine and was looking for ideas. I always ask for visitors to sign in. Some do, some don't.

Oct 18, 2010 06:08 AM

Open House Sign-In Sheets

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