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The Urban Legend

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty, LLC 3069706

As a Realtor, we have all heard the Urban Legend. Hold open houses and get buyers. Usually what you end up with is leftover cookies and business cards from agents without clients. Well, the urban legend came true for me.

My seller begged me to have an open house. I explained she would have better luck playing the lottery than selling her million dollar plus property in a guard gated community through an open house. She was relentless and I grudgingly obliged.

I ordered my food, got my signs, posted on all the sites and through email blasts. I brought a good book and cards to write to my clients as I prepared to wait for the Open House to end.

I got my requisite agents with listings in the community. Then, lo and behold, two couples walked in. A younger and an older couple. I wasn't sure who was the agent. We toured the home. The younger couple was buying and the mom was moving in. Ah! So the older man was the agent! No, he was the father-in law.

The younger couple said they did not have an agent. They asked if I could show them some properties.What? Million dollar + price range, cash, motivated, no agent, and they wandered into my open house? Where are the cameras and Alan Funt?

While they didn't put an offer on the house I held the open at, they did love the first house we saw and put in a serious offer. They laughed about being my easiest sale! Then that house was pulled off the market. We saw others, but they didn't measure up. We ended up back in our original neighborhood. Another house came on the market. We made another offer, and after some fine negotiating, it was accepted! I am looking forward to closing with my new, wonderful clients!

Let's keep those Urban Legends coming!

 

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Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

After that little bit of charity dropped into your lap, you may be a bit more open minded when your next Open House opportunity presents itself

Feb 22, 2016 11:27 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

So much for the Open House naysayers.   Congrats to you, and to the Buyers!

Feb 22, 2016 11:38 AM
Pennie Arneson
eXp Realty, LLC - Davie, FL
It makes "Cents" to use Pennie!

Thank you! Now I am asking to hold Open Houses! I am hoping lightening hits twice! or three times..

Feb 22, 2016 11:50 AM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Pennie Arneson We have many time sold the homes we hold open for the public. So many agents poo-poo Open House Events. We do not.

Feb 22, 2016 09:38 PM
Pennie Arneson
eXp Realty, LLC - Davie, FL
It makes "Cents" to use Pennie!

I am not saying the house doesn't sell at an open house. My experience is that it usually with another agent. This was a first for me to get an unaccompanied buyer who ended up buying with me! Especially at this price point. I may be holding an open house next weekend if you want to come down!

Feb 22, 2016 10:15 PM