click here to find this weekends open houses
Let me first say that open houses are NOT what they used to be, but they DO serve a purpose if done correctly. Oh sure, open houses are attended by neighbors and tire kickers that are not ready to buy, but if a person that has privately seen the house within the 7-10 days prior to an open house, or if they have not yet confirmed a private showing, it can increase a buyer’s interest in the subject property. Additionally, if an open house is scheduled on the weekend (first or twentieth weekend of a listing), and an offer comes in prior to the open house, if the buyer realizes you are having an open house, it may increase the offer price to ensure the buyer does not lose the home. I could go on about such, and would be happy to describe ways of effectively marketing open houses with direct mail, but let’s just get to the do’s and don’ts.
Do have an open house within the first six to eight weeks of listing.
Don’t think that there is a price too high or low on an open house. You can have a PRIVATE open house, by invitation only, that can be VERY successful in marketing what you have. The invitations can be to members of the club, or for other Realtors and mortgage lenders that know buyers.
Do not be present during an open house….oh, I would LOVE to be a fly on the wall too, but being physically present may cause a buyer to spend less time in the house you want THEM to call home.
Don’t have anyone but your listing agent or team of agents hold your open house. They are the MOST familiar person with your sale and are the peoples you have entrusted to best represent your interests. Agents that are too busy to do an open house for you, are simply too busy for you. I have seen too many times that a lesser qualified agent has done an open house and not represented the sellers situation and improperly read into a buyer’s revisit to a property, turning off the buyer. The agent seemed more interested in selling ANY similar house, and not THAT house. It may be the case that a buyer is not interested, but which agent is MOST interested in getting your house sold, your agent, or a substitute?
Do put your best foot forward and do cut the grass and other possible yard work that can make a ‘best’ presentation for the open house.
Don’t leave valuables sitting around. Any time you are selling, put these more valuables not just in a jewelry box or drawer, put them in a private safe.
Do have as many lights on and have neutral music playing in the background.
DON’T light fifty plus candles, strategically placed all around the house. It may be nice for a wedding day/anniversary, but it is too easy to have something unfortunate happen.
Do light the fireplace (if gas), or place lit candles within a wood burning fireplace if seasonally appropriate.
Don’t expect an offer to come the day of an open house from a person that comes thru. IT HAPPENS, but is not the norm. I have experienced multiple offers as the result of open houses, and one was a home that was just listed, and another was on the market for at least 60 days, but think of an open house more as a marketing tool, and not an auction.
Do call us if you would like to hear more marketing ideas that we can put to work for you.