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BEING THE OPEN HOUSE, Thanks Rainers

By Annie Hart Cool

Services for Real Estate Pros with Sotheby's International REalty

April 05, 2008 11:55 PM

Yesterday I asked the questions "to Open House or Not"...what is the benefit? Many of you replied with some skepticism, some of you thought Open Houses were a good idea... and all who responded seemed to feel Open Houses are worth a try... I think perception is key... How we view something brings us to it or away from it. I took my crazy day of 3 open houses and decided "This is going to be fun". Embrace the OPEN HOUSE, I said to myself. Stop viewing it as a waste of time. ENJOY THIS CRAZINESS>>>>( My brother who is a professional tennis player used to say to me in his feable attempt to push me into the 5.0 status of Tennis..."Be The BALL" . Right. This is the zen of Tennis.) So why not "Be the Open HOUSE"? I guess it is worth a try? YOu all said "why not?" I bought the apple pies and put one in each oven, I bought the flowers for the sign in table, I had tiny bottles of water with my Lable on them with my contact information... I had the listing sheets, maps and community information... I was "Being the OPEN HOUSE". The ZEN of Open HOuses. At the end of the Day...Three offers! Three! Was it me that said yesterday ...in ten years I have only sold 2 houses at Open Houses? YUP. Well, we don't know yet if these offers will become contracts... there are some negotiations still to work out... But pen was put to paper and I was BEAT by 6 PM. Today I have two OPEN HOUSES>>> Pies are ready...Flowers have already been delivered. I put the signs up last night... BAlloons are in my future. JUST BEING THE OPEN HOUSEon Cape Cod...Thanks to all of you RAINERS for turning my head around with your support.

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Rick Tourgee

Robert Paul Properties, Inc. - Provincetown, MA

Provincetown and Cape Cod

Annie- Fantastic! Three offers in one day due to open houses?!?!? Let me come give you a big hug so some of your luck will rub off on me! :)

Apr 06, 2008 12:02 AM

Julie Chapman

Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL

Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

Annie,

My comment from yesterday.....

This post says it all.....open houses work.....I picked up two new buyers in one open house just two weeks ago but will say have picked up 100s of buyers in my career at open house (for anyone out there on a budget.....it is the least expensive way to pick up business other than personal referral)

(So the wise old broker was just reposting her comment.) Congratulations.....attitude is a great part of success in real estate (and life).

Congratulations.....and thanks for sharing...

Apr 06, 2008 12:04 AM

Chip Jefferson

Advanced Building LLC - Lexington, SC

Marketing is the key to OH. Good job!

Apr 06, 2008 12:13 AM

Chip Jefferson

Advanced Building LLC - Lexington, SC

Marketing is the key to OH. Good job!

Apr 06, 2008 12:13 AM

Lizette Fitzpatrick

Lizette Realty - Richmond KY - Lexington, KY

Lizette Realty, Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes

Wow! Annie that is totally fantastic! Love all the hard work you put in paid off big time for you. I bet the excitment filled you with boundless energy all day when youstarted getting offers. Were the houses staged, occupied or vacant?

Apr 06, 2008 01:45 AM

Lesly Bogoff Reiter

Buyer and Sellers Agent Greater Springfield - Longmeadow, MA

William Raveis Real Estate, Western, MA

I tell my sellers that open houses don't sell houses, they get me buyers and sellers! The sellers don't really ehar what I am saying because they continue to ask me to do them! That's okay because I am successful at capturing buyers. It is defintely worth my time, name recognition, branding, which leads to momre business. That the name of the game.

Apr 06, 2008 02:45 AM

Lesly Bogoff Reiter

Buyer and Sellers Agent Greater Springfield - Longmeadow, MA

William Raveis Real Estate, Western, MA

Apr 06, 2008 02:45 AM

Anonymous

Lesly Bogoff Reiter William Raveis Real Estate, Western, MA

Apr 06, 2008 02:48 AM

Anonymous

Lesly Bogoff Reiter William Raveis Real Estate, Western, MA

I tell my sellers that open houses don't sell houses, they get me buyers and sellers! The sellers don't really hear what I am saying because they continue to ask me to do them! That's okay because I am successful at capturing buyers. It is defintely worth my time, name recognition, branding, which leads to momre business. That the name of the game.

Apr 06, 2008 02:48 AM

#10

Annie Hart Cool

Sotheby's International REalty - Falmouth, MA

Cape Cod Real Estate Specialist

Hi... thanks for the feedback ... These three houses were vastly different. The first was a fixer upper on the water and an estate so .. the staging was done by me with what little stuff was in the house... but I got a good offer on it and 18 buyers came thru. The second house was a little bungalow (circa 1905) which had not driveway or basement and loads of history. 2 offers on it... both are sketchy... may not go thru. The last open house was a bust... NO ONE CAME...and I was happy to relax....smile

Apr 06, 2008 05:38 AM

Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent

Realty Executives -BRIO - Seattle, WA

You really were in the Zen of the moment for "Being the Open House" Congratulations on creating energy from your attitiude!

Apr 06, 2008 06:28 AM

Kimo Stowell

HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 - Honolulu, HI

REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i

Aloha Annie, Everything is better when your attitude exsenuates the positive. Every experience offers an opportunity to learn and grow. Thanks for post. Peace

Apr 06, 2008 06:47 AM

Kimo Stowell

HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 - Honolulu, HI

REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i

Aloha Annie, Everything is better when your attitude exsenuates the positive. Every experience offers an opportunity to learn and grow. Thanks for post. Peace

Apr 06, 2008 06:47 AM

Sonya Rosser

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers - Douglasville, GA

Thanks a bunch Annie, If we could just remember that our life follows our words and our thoughts. So as a man thinks so is he. I will continue to have a positive attitude about open houses regardless of the negativity. I will be hosting another agent's open house on April 20. I am going to enjoy it and I am believing for it to be a success. Thanks again for your post.

Apr 11, 2008 01:43 PM

Kim Shepherd

RE/MAX Premier Properties - Plano, TX

I agree that open houses are great! They make your sellers happy because they think someone will walk right in and put in an offer! (which HARDLY ever happens but Annie, you proved that wrong!!). And they are awesome for new agents just looking for business. I do an open house just about every Sunday and I have picked up countless buyers and future buyers/sellers! There's no end to the potential and they're practically FREE!!

I plan to continue to hold open houses thoughout my entire real estate career!

Jul 22, 2008 09:57 AM

Bob Cosby

One Source Realty - Shaw AFB, SC

I don't think it's just for new agents anymore and with the gas prices, there are people coming by. For me, with nothing to do at times, will drop an open house sign in the yard on new construction and have hooked a few people.

Aug 11, 2008 03:12 PM

Shannon Gilmore, CRS

Long and Foster Real Estate - Warrenton, VA

Real Estate Sales Associate with Long and Foster

So how did it go??? I was inspired and will get my open houses back to what they should be...

Aug 18, 2008 04:58 AM

Caren Wallace

Premier Property Group LLC - Tualatin, OR

Portland Caren Real Estate

Annie,

You have some great ideas! I will be stepping up my game on open house this weekend!

Thank you!