Realtor's Open House

I saw that same blog and I wonder if she knows that she blocked the commenting section.  I think we owe it to the owners to have a open house even if know buyers show up, it will give the listing a chance to be seen by other Realtors, I can't count the times I have been with clients and seen a open house sign and took my clients in to see it!  So I believe it is a great opportunity, that will be missed if you don't hold one.

Susan, we just did a blog on Open Houses ....... we think that what is happening is people are searching on line and contacting the realtor if they want to see the house.  We did a public open 5 weeks in a row on 5 different houses, and never had more than 2 people.  They were all advertised both in the paper and on the internet.  We had Dunkin Donuts cards and we had refreshments. From our experience, most people were finding the open houses through the signs.  Gas prices are not letting folks do that any more.  Dont think we are going to do any more for at least a month or two, and only because it makes the sellers happy.  Good luck.

Personally, as a consumer and not a Loan Officer, I love Open Houses. I prefer going to an open house rather than dragging my realtor from house to house because i'm just not sure what I am looking for. Let me pay for the gas and let me be on my time as I figure out just what is out there and what I really want. Then I call her and we sit down and I have not wasted her time.

This worked out great for my son. He is now in his new home.

I like agent open houses - when I have the time to attend.   

It's sad, but the food offerings and "other" incentives make me decide if I am going to blow $30 on gas to visit a brokers open!

I strongly suggest to offer a open house to the general public and offering a property tour or broker tour for agents. This can be a great opportunity to network with other local agents and plus strap then with the tools to market your listing to there pool of buyers. Last I belive a open house should be a marketed event not just a spur of the moment event like some are I mean if you are going to hold the house open you might as well get a few people to actually show up

I would like to let you know that I as a home inspector visit many open houses. I get to meet a lot of contacts and I also drop off what I like to call THE OPEN HOUSE SURVIVAL KIT. It is a type of lunch bag with bottles of water and some snacks as well as wet wipes. I also include information about my company and have a small mini notebook and pencil inside for prospective buyers to use to jot down notes about the properties they visit. I also encourage the agent or whomever is hosting it to place their information inside the bag as well. This way when a person takes the bag with them they have the information and have the opportunity to view it again with references they have jotted down on specific properties.