| I've have been successfully selling real estate for | | | | suggest a another homes in the area - it makes you |
| almost 20 years and can count the number of times I | | | | appear to be an expert in the neighborhood. This will |
| have sold a specific house, myself, at an open house | | | | impress both buyers as well as sellers (neighbors) who |
| on one hand. However, I long ago lost count of the | | | | walk through the house. |
| number of clients and sales I have made through | | | | 4. Preview comparable homes in the area, again this |
| holding open houses. | | | | will lend creditability to you and your expertise if you |
| Most everyone knows that open houses do not sell | | | | can talk intelligently about some of the other similar |
| houses but they make the seller feel good and it's a | | | | homes in the area. It's even better if these homes are |
| convenient for other agents to send their clients | | | | not being held open because it gives you a reason to |
| through the house if they're already booked (I've done | | | | try to meet with the buyers later. |
| this myself - just make sure you call the listing agent | | | | 5. Print a list of all available homes in the area in a |
| first to let them know you're sending a client by). | | | | similar price range and pass it out at the open house. |
| I have never understood why sellers even want an | | | | 6. Don't hand out a flyer; it will usually get tossed right |
| open house...you have to leave your house for the | | | | after they leave. Instead hand out your card, personal |
| afternoon not to mention you have a bunch of | | | | brochure and/or the list of other homes. Many people |
| strangers walking through your home. Strangers who, | | | | will be upset that you do not have a flyer readily |
| may not know anything about the house before they | | | | available but tell them that is why you are there to |
| walk-in and who may not be financially qualified to buy | | | | answer their questions about the house. |
| the house. Plus you have the neighbors and the | | | | 7. Make sure the seller is not going to be there. They |
| lookers who are not even interested in buying at all. | | | | will only hamper your ability to meet new clients and |
| However, for real estate agents open houses can be | | | | they usually scare any potential buyers away because |
| a great opportunity to meet new clients. | | | | they want to show them around the house. |
| Below is list of things to do to help make your next | | | | 8. Don't make everyone sign in. This will only give you |
| open house a success: | | | | list of people who probably do not want to talk to you |
| 1. Show up on time and stay until the scheduled end, | | | | anyway. Instead, only take the names and contact info |
| especially if you're holding another agents listing open. | | | | of people you connect with, and make sure they don't |
| There is nothing worse than having someone hold your | | | | already have an agent. This will save you lots of time |
| listing open and they show up late or leave early. It | | | | following up leads that are not going anywhere. |
| makes the listing agent look bad and the sellers are | | | | 9. Don't show buyers the house. Houses sell |
| usually convinced the house will sell at the open house | | | | themselves the buyer doesn't need you following them |
| (which it hardly ever does) but they will be very upset. | | | | around saying this is the bedroom...this is the |
| 2. Choose wisely. Select a house in your farm area | | | | kitchen...they're not stupid, instead tell buyers when they |
| and if it's not your listing preview the house a few | | | | walk in about a few outstanding features of the home, |
| days before the open house. You may find that the | | | | the price, bedrooms & baths, then tell them to feel |
| house is not worth holding open, it may be a disaster, it | | | | free to walk around and that you are available if they |
| may have a bad location and is difficult to find or | | | | have any questions. |
| maybe it's a holiday weekend and the listing agent | | | | 10. A few days before the open house, hand out or |
| promised an open house to the seller but doesn't want | | | | mail invitations to the neighbors, your Circle of Influence |
| to do it him/herself. Don't commit to doing unless it will | | | | (COI) and any buyers you're working with. The |
| work for you. | | | | neighbors usually all want to see their neighbor's house |
| 3. Schedule the open house to start 1 hour after the | | | | and it's a great opportunity for you to meet them. |
| typical time. For example, most agents' in my area hold | | | | When you invite your COI and buyers most won't stop |
| open houses on Sunday from 1-4pm. I do mine from | | | | by but at least it's an opportunity to contact them and |
| 2-4 pm. This allows me to visit all the other open | | | | show them that you are successful in real estate. |
| houses in the immediately area jut before mine starts. | | | | 11. Advertise on your website, your Blog and run a local |
| It allows me to talk more intelligently to buyers coming | | | | newspaper ad or list it in your local newspaper open |
| through. Most people visiting an open house will not buy | | | | house directory. If you don't have enough time to run |
| that home. Instead it is an opportunity for you to meet | | | | an ad or send an invitation I like to do a voice blast to |
| buyers in person, establish some rapport and try to | | | | my clients. |
| convince them to work with you. So if a buyer walks | | | | If you follow even a handful of these tips your next |
| in and after some conversation they tell you that | | | | open house is sure to be a success! |
| house isn't what they were looking for you can | | | | |