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What is your take on Open Houses, do they help or hurt a seller? Are they worth doing??

By Sandy Bliven

Real Estate Agent with Re/Max South County

April 29, 2008 11:16 PM

I have mixed feelings on open houses. I always thought an open house was to bring you a potential buyer or client! I am finding that does happen, but not necessarily for that open house! Most open houses attract curious drive buyers, or inquistive neighbors, do they ever result in a sale? I think they can and do, if you turn the visit into a positive. I believe in open houses, I think they give you an opportunity to meet the "neighbors" - they learn about you as a person, who knows, they may like how your promoting the seller, and in turn offer a referral or their own sale. I have met more and more people doing open houses, both long term clients and even new friends.

Do you serve refreshments? Being Italian, my mother always said, "manga, manga" - serving something whether just coffee and muffins, creates a casual informal atmosphere inviting the visitor to "stay a spell" and chat! I find I can learn so much from those visitors, about the neighbors, the area, and most of all the house!!! When I get a listing, I get a friend, family members, and a quest to sell. I want to learn as much as I can about that home as I can, open houses provide me with that insight!

My thoughts are, common sense says it's smart to expose your home to the largest number of buyers, and getting buyers inside to preview a home is a huge hurdle to jump. It's like keeping the house for sale a secret and saying, "Sshh, let's not tell anybody about this house or invite them over to see it because it just might sell!"

What is your take on open houses? worth it or a waste of time?? Do your clients ask for them?

Thanks,

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Gary McAdams

GMAC Schwartz Property Sales - Key West, FL

I have found that all open houses do is make it appear to the seller that you are working. All I ever get come in are nosy neighbors.

Apr 29, 2008 11:22 PM

Diane Lombardino

Keller Williams Realty of Jupiter - Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Unfortunately, the day of the OPEN HOUSE has passed in my area. Very few opens, except Broker Opens, which seem to be more popular and are better attended. My clients do not ask for Open Houses anymore. I stopped doing opens the end of last year. I used to pick up leads or a few prospects, but the last few were a waste of time with only 1-2 people stopping by because they were curious. I used to have food, drawings, parting gifts (a small herb plant, a few pens, pads, etc.). I thought I ran the best Open Houses, but never a sale! I'm curious to see how others feel about Open Houses.

Apr 29, 2008 11:27 PM

Anonymous

Liz Provo, Massachusetts 4 Sale By Owner

I think that NAR statistics have shown that less than 2% of homes are sold as a direct result from an open house (don't quote me on that, but it's close), yet agents still hold them. The reason is simple and buyers know this....it's an easy way to add prospective buyers to your mailing list. Now, in the world of for-sale-by-owner, the use of an open house produces some very different results and many of the homes advertised with us sell as a direct result of the open house. Why is this? I think that buyers find it to be an easy way to check out a property without committing to a private showing. Once they have met the sellers and enjoyed their visit, they feel at ease. They also see that they have some competition if the open house is marketed carefully. Most of our advertisers (sellers) post their event on a special open house page on our website and we send a special email invitation to buyers who have requested Property Alerts. We give them a map and directions and the ability to print a flyer to take along for the ride. On May 17th & 18th we will be holding our first Western Mass Open House weekend, where we are inviting any FSBO in the area who would like to join us to take part. As the events are posted to our website we will compile a BLAST mailing on Friday morning, giving a "preview" of all homes that will be shown. We are encouraging sellers to share flyers with other home sellers (just like in It's a Wonderful Life) to help everyone get exposure. Should be a fun weekend!

Apr 29, 2008 11:29 PM

Jane Cruder

Northside Realty - Raleigh, NC

Johnson, Raleigh NC -Broker Assoc

I find that Open Houses are a liability in so many ways. It's a great way for theives to case the joint, and for the agent to be put in a situation to be harmed. In my area, all it does is what another poster said, makes it look like the agent is doing something. I find that if people are looking to buy a home, theyhire a realtor to take them to the homes they would like to see. No need for an Open House. I think it is around 1% of homes that are sold due to an Open House. I really wish it worked, but not here.

Apr 29, 2008 11:39 PM

Konnie Mac McCarthy

MacNificent Properties, LLC - Cobb Island, MD

Broker/Owner - VA & MD "Time To Get A Move On!"

I personally think open houses are a joke...I know...I hear the collective gasp when I say that. I don't try to sell them to my sellers as a great marketing ploy, when the true design of an open house is to get the agent more business.....with that said, if my clients insist on one, then I do it...but I try to bring value by really bringing value...not smoke and mirrors..

Apr 29, 2008 11:39 PM

Rob Muller

ReMax Town & Country - Canton, GA

Cherokee County Real Estate

I have found them to be a waste of time. My clients have not been asking for them. I think they know how much their home is being advertised on the web. The internet has become so important to real estate.

Apr 29, 2008 11:41 PM

Charlie Ragonesi

AllMountainRealty.com - Big Canoe, GA

Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros

It is worth it. Do them in conjunction with other agents to insure turn out. Schedule them in your area like every other week. Then you can caravan and everybody will get into the habit of making time. Make sure people know that to have their home on a multiagent, multi company caravan they need to attend not just when they have a house on caravan

Apr 29, 2008 11:58 PM

Kathy Carson

Lynchburg eXp - Lynchburg, VA

Realtor, Lynchburg, VA, VA Homes - Lynchunberg,Bedford, Campbell

Sandy,

I like your attitude. I do Open Houses. I do get leads on Buyers. I think the only properties I have ever sold at an Open House have been in Townhouse Complexes. Our Sellers in the Lynchburg, VA Area still want Open Houses and our Agents do Open Houses. It's a great way to market your house - so let the neighbors come - you might get another Seller Lead. You never know when a friend is looking for a friend and you might get a call on that house!

You can't be passive at an Open House you have to work it!

Posted by Kathy Carson, RE/MAX 1st Olympic, Lynchburg, VA

Apr 30, 2008 12:13 AM

Diane & Bob Arenholz

William RAVEIS Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY

Covering all of Westchester County, NY

In my experience open houses are a great way to generate new leads, however I cannot recall a time where I sold a house because of an open house. In actuality I still have open houses for my sellers because they want them, not because it is the most effective way to sell a house!

Apr 30, 2008 12:17 AM

Charlottesville Solutions

Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

Sellers want them (most of the time) and they are really just to get the listing agent more buyer clients.

Your Friend in Charlottesville Virginia!

Apr 30, 2008 12:22 AM

June Piper-Brandon

Coldwell Banker Realty - Columbia, MD

Creating Generational Wealth Through Homeownership

I think the open house depends on the house and how well publicized it is and whether it's a nice day or not. I'm not a huge fan of open houses and I've gotten a lot of business as a result of open houses I've had, however, they didn't sell that particular house.

Apr 30, 2008 12:33 AM