Open house blues...

Hi Jan, we have all had open house where no one comes, not even a nosey neighbor.  I always take reading materials just in case, so you are not alone.

There are things to do; I wrote a post on this recently if you want to wonder over to my blog; I'll give you the link too just in case.  It's http://activerain.com/blogsview/664021/1-Ways-to-Increase and I hope it gives you some tips for the next one.  Good luck to you.

Open houses are pretty much hit or miss as to who comes out. No matter how much advertising or what kind of advertising you do, the majority of visitors are drive byes. And to make matters worse, the chance of finding a buyer at an open house is slim to none. I'm not saying it can't happen, but it's an extremely rare occurrence.

Jan Marie - we have a couple of people in our office that always have a lot of attendees at open houses, even the second or third at the same place.

Start two weeks before the open houses, go to 10 houses on either side of house, on the same side of the street and drop off flyers. Then, do the same for 20 houses across the street. Blast it out to your SOI. Then advertize in the paper. Make sure you have good signage, even going and asking homeowners if you can place a sign in their yard if they are located at a strategic intersection. They will remember you positively.

I have done it all.  I have a love/hate relationship with open houses.  Getting a good turn out seems to be a crap shoot.  I cannot count the number of open houses I have worked since the beginning of my career.  However, I will tell you I made some significant dollars.  The first listing I had was dual agency due to an open house.  At another open house I met a buyer going through a divorce.  She bought from me, two years later she was getting married so I sold her house, her fiance's house, and placed them in another.  It was very profitable.

Stay safe and keep a smile on.  It only takes 'one'.

Jan- I do open houses just about every other weekend.  I have not had much luck with them in the past 2 years.  I have also learned that OH advertising $$ is a waste.   Hang a rider on the yard sign that reads "Open House Sunday 1-4."  Maybe that will help.  In my area if you hang anything on the door knob it will be the kiss of death.  We have a lot of seasonal people who are not home and do not want a door hanger advertising the vacancy. 

Edie

Many of our clients love our frames because you are able to attract more buyers to an OPEN HOUSE. By adding a top rider with the OPEN HOUSE info on it and then adding flags to the frame really gets people to notice.  I have a heard back from a few of our clients that have had success by actually using one of our frames to advertise their open houses by putting them out on the main road on the day of the open house.  

The bottom line: you have to get them through the front door before you can sell them.  Getting your listing noticed is critical and these frames help to differentiate you and your properties. Go to our website, LincolnLawnFrames.com to learn more. 

Persistance is key... and always bring work.  You can't create optimum weather, force people to show up, or get the advertising right every single time.  But, Open Houses can really help sell homes.

I pretty do much do what everyone else is doing and it is unpredictable the turn out you will have. One thing I don't do and will try this weekend is removing the flyers from the flyer box. It never occurred to me. *S* Thanks for that! I do bring work and do as much as I can. I figure if I am absorbed in something that is when they will come! I am going to go around to the neighbors w/flyer/invites a few days before and advanced signage does work. I also MASS email, my contacts (personal and professional- ask them to forward to those that may be interested) and Craigslist it along w/other online free advertising. Giving away a prize was mentioned. I do that too. But I have the little raffle tickets so they have to fill it out w/their contact info and they keep the other 1/2. I found that the attendees don't always fill out the sign-in sheet honestly or fully. They want to win the raffle.......so they do fill out those tickets w/correct contact info. So wish me luck...I have 2 OH next week!  Good Luck!  Donna LaConte, REALTOR, Adams, Cameron & Co., REALTORS, DeLand, Fl.

Open houses are a crap shoot-I aways use lots of signs and remove the flyer from the box.

Hang in there. You are doing what you must. Sorry it didn't go well. Keep your chin up!!! God will Bless You!!

Joe

I have all but discontinued Open Houses. In our Michigan market, they are one of the least effective marketing methods.

I do not totally rule them out, because you never know where your Buyer is coming from, but you can only be so many places, and do so many things to sell a house. You have to set priorities in marketing, and I feel there are many better methods.

Put your time into heavy Internet coverage. Create an individual web-site for each listing. Get on any and every web-site you can find.

It seems everyone is telling you to be patient and persistent. Maybe true, but times are changing, and your patience and persistence can be better spent in changing your way of marketing.

IMPORTANT

Janice,  I crafted an email yesterday to address the situation we discussed.  I've tried several times to send it (both in and out of the AR universe), but it bounces each time.

Would you be kind enough to email me at BriLaw00@aol.com.   Thanks!   Brian

Brian L. Sirota, Esq., Broker/Attorney, BriStar Realty, Orange, California