As a child, I can remember my parents going to open houses even when they were not looking for a new home. The new house smell and looking at the beautiful new furniture was always fun. Every time I walked in to a model home, or one that was staged and cleaned to sell, My sisters and I used to jabber about whos room would be whos, where we would sit at mealtimes, etc. There were always plenty of families walking around, sometimes we would even go with friends.
I can remember distinctly that there were always a few people waiting to talk to the hostess/agent and ask questions.
Would the kitchen appliances stay? Will the seller consider painting? Could the home be sold furnished? Sometimes the agent and/or hostess appeaared to be overwhelmed.
Well here we are in the 21st century. I still enjoy open houses. I still live vicariously in a home every time I view or stage an open house. The smell is still the same in an open house and being able to actually see and touch decorating styles leaves HDTV in a pale comparison.
Here is what I do not understand.....
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OPEN HOUSE?????
Right at this moment I am sitting in a gorgeous. expensive patio home. The community is quiet and historical. The residents have narry an unkind word to say about the area. There are sitting gardens and a lovely walking trail on the perimeter. This is a beautiful summer day, and I am bored out of my skull.
In defense of a dying art, I did get several leads on the fourth of July. It just seems as if every one likes to view from the internet. There are many agents who hire others to conduct open houses and will not be shy about stating that the only reason they will conduct one is for the benefit of an old-fashioned seller. I have had countless open houses without even one agent. buyer, or even the neighbor show up.
We (our team: http://northtexashomes4u.net ) have advertised endlessly for open houses and knocked on many doors trying to persuade residents to find out what there is to offer so they can "pick their neighbors". Still nothing. Keller Williams is trying to revive this service-oriented dinosaur by having an open house tour for agents and buyers one Sunday a month. I have kept this effort a matter of prayer for revival.
So tell me what you think of the open houses in this day and time.
Do you still have them? Go to them? Do you have success or failure stories? As far as my opinion goes, I will continue to have them as long as I can. I will teach any new agents that an open house is an art form that can only be mastered through trial, error and persistence. Still, are we at the mercy of the internet and other media channels?
WHAT DO U THINK?
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