This article is from REALTOR® Magazine - Interactive Online Edition - Daily Real Estate News for April 9, 2008
Promote. Advertise open houses online and through traditional outlets such as the newspaper and using yard signs.
Don't hide in the kitchen. Present yourself professionally and be visible at the open house. Open the door as guests arrive and offer to answer any questions. But on the other hand, don't be overbearing. Avoid bombarding visitors with questions about their buying status. Even individuals touring the home just to see what it looks like might hire the agent later on, if a good first impression is made.
Let the snoops snoop. Think an open house visitor is just "snooping"? Treat them just as if they're a serious buyer while they're at your event. They may be snooping around for a real estate agent, after all. Or if they live nearby, they may remember you in a positive light when they're looking to sell.
Give visitors something that they'll truly value as they search for homes. For example, Lones prepares a book that includes the open house listing and other homes for sale in the area that are priced $50,000 above and $50,000 under the featured property. The book should include directions to each listing, as well as pictures and a space for prospective buyers to jot down notes for comparisons.
Secret Formula for Open Houses
There's a secret formula for handling open houses successfully, says real estate marketing expert Denise Lones of the Lones Group Inc. in Bellingham, Wash.
Do prep work before the event. Do research of nearby home sales, other properties on the market in the general vicinity, and local schools as well as ensure the property is in top condition.
Do prep work before the event. Do research of nearby home sales, other properties on the market in the general vicinity, and local schools as well as ensure the property is in top condition.
Promote. Advertise open houses online and through traditional outlets such as the newspaper and using yard signs.
Don't hide in the kitchen. Present yourself professionally and be visible at the open house. Open the door as guests arrive and offer to answer any questions. But on the other hand, don't be overbearing. Avoid bombarding visitors with questions about their buying status. Even individuals touring the home just to see what it looks like might hire the agent later on, if a good first impression is made.
Let the snoops snoop. Think an open house visitor is just "snooping"? Treat them just as if they're a serious buyer while they're at your event. They may be snooping around for a real estate agent, after all. Or if they live nearby, they may remember you in a positive light when they're looking to sell.
Give visitors something that they'll truly value as they search for homes. For example, Lones prepares a book that includes the open house listing and other homes for sale in the area that are priced $50,000 above and $50,000 under the featured property. The book should include directions to each listing, as well as pictures and a space for prospective buyers to jot down notes for comparisons.
Source: Realty Times, Denise Lones (04/08/08)
No comments:
Post a Comment