Just looking for some advice here. I've heard of agents having "parties" in their homes in order to bring prospects in and remind friends that they're in the business. I've been considering an evening wine and tapas open house... or a lunch-break open house... what do you have to offer as ideas?
Thanks,
Dustin
We have the best luck with open houses for agents. We ususally do lunch at one house and dessert at another in the same area. We have a drawing for several gift cards. Once agents have seen the house they are familiar and hopefully take back their clients.
Kathy
I also like to do a VIP Neighbors Only Open House. I do it the evening before the 1st public open house, it makes them feel special, shows that you care about the neighborhood and it stops all the nosey neighbors from chatting you up the day of your public open house and free up your time to speak to actual prospects. Beside if they like you, you might get another listing on the street. In MA you cannot serve alcohol as a agent...Sometimes I get a mortgage company to supply small food and drinks..it allows them to promote themselves as well.
As a Developer's Rep selling homes in St. Augustine, Florida, I have hosted numerous parties like these in my model homes. One party would be for the local Realtors who do a lot of business in the area. Another party would be for past customers and neighbors. Most recently I held a Friends and Family Event. I invited residents from several surrounding neighborhoods had a caterer grilling "beach burgers and surf dogs", and held a drawing for two Beach Cruiser Bicycles. It was a great success, creating exposure for my listing as well as my services.
The parties work well even if you don't hold them in a furnished model. I have a friend who owns a beautiful home on the St. Augustine bayfront. She hosts a 4th of July party every year for her past customers. I think I might have to buy a home from her so I can be invited next year!
I really hate open houses but from time to time I do them. I like web marketing so creating an individual site for each home is a great marketing tool.
Timing is important, Sundays early Church, Mondays a lot of real estate agents are busy, Tuesdays we have company meetings, so think about who you want to attend and what's the easiest or best times for them even if it's a little inconvient for you.
I usually hold an open house for the agents after sending personalized emails to invite them. I try to do this the first week or 2 of the listing. I offer good food and drink (non-alcoholic) and offer a $50 gift certificate to the agent that most closely guesses the sales price of the peoperty.
I create open house video invitations and send the link to my huge sphere of influence and ask them to forward it on to anyone they know who might be interested. www.ellertheseller.com. Click open house once in the website to see what I mean.
I buy the properties' address as a domain name and create a personal Website for each of my listings. For an example you can check out: www.3828SnowshedRun.com
I like hearing everyone's unique ideas for Open Houses; in my area, they don't usually work so I have not done one yet...but I might try some of these suggestions.
--Anne Rains
I like the individual property websites and the 1-800 call capture systems. Once in a blue moon I will do a open house but I usually will let a new agent do one.
Hi Dustin,
Open house party is a great idea. I agree with Tara's suggestion above getting a mortgage company or a home stager to contribute to the cost. It's very popular here. We usually offer wine and cheese. Best of luck.
Always have incentives. Agents are always hungry and are always looking to win a raffel. Unfortunately even with today's market I still don't get decent turnouts on open houses. We need to start supporting eachother more.
Comments(14)