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Inviting the neighbors

By
Real Estate Agent with Atlanta Communities 303302

First, let me say that I am a proponent of open houses. They are always successful if your standard is providing more exposure for your seller. I believe that the more people see a home for sale, the better chance it has to sell. With that said, let me tell you what really worked this weekend...

I listed a home 2 weeks ago and as usual planned an open house. I advertised the open house on the MLS systems as well as in social media. This time, however, I also printed up some nice 3 fold invitations with pictures of the home, and sent it to 45 neighbors surrounding the listed home. The invitation suggested that the open house would be open 1/2 hour earlier than the public time, just so the neighbors could come and see their friends who have moved to a new home.

Several showed up on a wet, dreary day, toured the home, and took with them marketing materials from the home. The sellers were pleased to see and talk to some good friends again, and the home was successfully marketed to a street full of people. One couple talked to me about themselves looking to sell in a year or so.

Bottom line, sellers had fun talking to good friends, home was exposed to 45 home owners on the street, and probably 1000's through social media. In my book, that is a successful open house.

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(20)

Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Peter. I was never a proponent of open houses and not really great at them either. That said, this was a brilliant idea. Good for you.

Oct 14, 2019 05:52 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I do think if an open house is held, it's a great idea to invite neighbors. Hopefully you got an offer also! 

Oct 14, 2019 06:37 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Good morning, Peter - "working" an open house event on behalf of your client to get their home sold is a good philosophy.  If you can expand that marketing exposure with some good wished towards your clients with visits from their neighbors, good for you, for them and for those attending.  

Oct 14, 2019 07:22 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good afternoon Peter den Boer - this really was a fabulous idea.  A win win for sure.

Oct 14, 2019 11:49 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Peter- fabulous idea!!! If you're going to hold a house open, why not make the most of it!!!  

Oct 15, 2019 04:17 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

                                   

                                      Thanks Peter. 

Oct 19, 2019 06:31 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Peter den Boer this post should have been a feature.... great idea on how to complement a public open house.... invite the neighbors....the bottom line is:  the more visitors, the greater the visual exposure for you and your marketing materials.... people like to meet the person who they may be calling to list their home.... fine idea here.

Oct 20, 2019 04:45 AM
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

We're always so anxious to get rid of the sellers when we do an Open House, but this is quite the good idea!

Oct 20, 2019 10:18 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Excellent Peter den Boer  -so glad Kathy featured you in her post!

Oct 20, 2019 12:26 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

That's an excellent idea, Peter. I send a mailing to all the neighbors when listing a house but not specifically for an open house, when I do them. One other option is a invitation delived to their doors the day of or the day before

Oct 20, 2019 05:59 PM
Tom Bailey
Margaret Rudd & Associates Inc. - Oak Island, NC

Good idea Peter. I can not bring myself to have sellers there. I have seen sellers screw up to many deals running their mouths! Also I don't think you can get honest feedback with the sellers present! 

Oct 20, 2019 06:29 PM
Peter den Boer

I agree! I only have the sellers stay for the allotted neighborhood private showing time, then they leave.

Oct 22, 2019 04:49 AM
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

Peter,

I think this is a great idea to have an open house for the neighbors an hour before the public open house. It is kind of a farewell party for the Sellers and their neighbors. I am glad Kathy Streib featured your post.

Oct 21, 2019 10:19 AM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

Peter,

I agree, and I also always, always, always invite the neighbors.

Oct 21, 2019 12:11 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Peter den Boer Came over from Barbara Todaro's link to your post. Glad I did-you shared a lot of wisdom with us in this post. Thanks. Lynn

Oct 23, 2019 04:11 AM