| A homeowner just put their house on the market | | | | insides of homes only at open houses. |
| and their real estate agent recommends an open | | | | If your home is well off the beaten path or you |
| house every Sunday until the home sells. Is this a | | | | were the only one in the development to add all |
| good idea? | | | | of the upgrades, open houses might not be |
| A different homeowner lists their home and their | | | | successful. Buyers won't follow more than 3-4 |
| agent refuses to do open houses since they just | | | | directional arrows and travel more than ½ |
| waste time and money. Which agent's system is | | | | a mile out of their way. Likewise buyers are |
| correct? | | | | frustrated when they do stop but realize that the |
| Frankly, I don't think either of these systems is a | | | | price tag is $50K higher than the rest of the |
| good idea. Too many open houses can make a | | | | neighborhood because there are granite counters, |
| seller look desperate. But refusing to do open | | | | cherry wood flooring and custom birch cabinets. If |
| houses because they don't work might not be in | | | | your home falls in either of these categories, |
| a seller's best interest. As a Realtor, I assess each | | | | open houses might not be successful. |
| home and family situation to come up with an | | | | Does your family situation make open houses |
| open house plan that will work for my sellers. | | | | convenient? |
| Homes do sell at open houses! Do you live in a | | | | If the only family time you have at home is |
| high demand neighborhood with lots of drive by | | | | Sunday afternoons, it is ok to say no to open |
| traffic? Will families be passing by on their way | | | | houses. Some homeowners want scheduled |
| home from church or on their way to restaurants | | | | showings with qualified buyers only. This limits |
| and shops? Is your home priced correctly for the | | | | access to your home and keeps "looky-lou's" to a |
| neighborhood? | | | | minimum! |
| If you can answer yes to these questions, an | | | | Timing and Duration of Open Houses |
| open house may be an effective marketing tool | | | | For most homeowners, I suggest one open house |
| for your home. Potential buyers who like specific | | | | per month and not longer than 2 hours. (I will do |
| areas will stop to see what is available. If the | | | | two per month, if the homeowner's schedule |
| home is well priced, I have seen buyers write | | | | allows.)You should schedule the open house at |
| offers on the spot. | | | | least one week in advance. This allows time to |
| One thing to consider is the internet has changed | | | | place ads in the paper as well as on the internet. |
| the real estate market. It allows buyers to be | | | | Open houses are a valuable tool in selling your |
| very informed by doing research prior to | | | | home. To be effective, they must be combined |
| attending open houses. Often net savvy buyers | | | | with other tools in a complete marketing plan to |
| are working without representation and see the | | | | sell your home. |