If your listing is "difficult" to show holding it open is one of the best ways to sell it. Yes, let me say it again--open house helps sell a home.
A recent listing is also home to one very cute dog and two very clever cats. The seller was reluctant to leave her "babies" in the garage or penned on the patio for hours at a time while she was gone. Consequently, the showing instructions called for an appointment so the pet owner, aka the seller, could make arrangements for her pets.
Since one of the cats is nicknamed Houdini, because he is a champion escape artist, we dared not let an unsuspecting agent open the front door for we knew Houdini would slip out before the agent removed the key from the latch. The little watchdog would follow the "intruders" from room to room yapping and yapping until the prospective buyers and the frustrated agent exited the home with a welcome sigh of relief. Talk about a showing disaster! Writing an offer would be the last thing on their mind.
Solution--hold a three hour open house, advertise it heavily in print and online. The cats were happily ensconced in the garage (and I made sure no one opened the door). The dog went for a long walk and coffee with the seller and several agents showed the property during this window of opportunity called Open House.
The results speak volumes: I received an offer from one of the agent that showed it during the first open house. Unfortunately, that offer did not work out, but within a few days another offer arrived. Again, it was generated from a showing during the second open house I held.
Open house is a much maligned marketing tool. Sure, sometimes I pick up a new client, but I hold open houses for the convenience of other agents and to make sure my listings receive maximum exposure. I did not sell this property at the open house, but a fellow agent did.
My open houses are not about me, they are held to optimize showings and generate offers. End of story.
Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800
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Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333
PalosVerdesLifestyle- Norma's award winning site as the best Palos Verdes homes and real estate blog since 2007. Selected by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Chosen by MovingCost.com as one of the best Los Angeles realty blogs. Awarded 5 out of 5 stars by Lender411 blog review. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.
South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Based on information from the Association of REALTORS®/Multiple Listing as of the initial date of this article/blog publication and /or other sources. Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
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I do open houses to hopefully sell the home, but also to get prospective clients. We are challenged in our area as we have many twist and turns, but I know our sellers appreciate that their home is getting the added exposure.
In the current climate it is imperative not to do open houses alone! Bring your alliance team with you: the mortgage broker, the title agent, the home inspector and serve food.
OR be creative...
Today a group of real estate professionals who work for different offices and have listings in the same area are hosting 5 homes and advertised via email flyers to get traffic to all the homes in the middle of the day...and today in Hollywood, FL it is a balmy 82 degrees, no humidity and a wonderful blue sky...spring day in the tropics.
I agree. One thing I find fascinating is the dog. I never heard of a dog that likes to drink coffee. :)
Bob - Tink, the little dog, loves Starbuck's water, but she's dieting and can't indulge in the whipped cream topping!