Incline Village, real estate update- Open houses relevant or not?
May 21, 2009 4:28 pm Company News, Incline Village Information, Incline Village Real Estate, Lake Tahoe Information, Listings, Market Information, UncategorizedIs holding an “Open House” just a waste of time?
The odds are 250 to 1 someone attending an open house will buy your home.
Today buyers are more likely to look at a property via a virtual tour posted on the internet before they walk into an open house. Before you consider an open house first clean up and clean out the house, make necessary repairs and have the house staged . Insist on quality photo’s and a virtual tour.
Marketing to a vast audience will draw the right buyer’s versus” looky loos”. Ask your agent for a list of the web sites your property will be posted on to assure you are getting maximum exposure. Placing the listing on our local Multiple listing service (MLS) utilizing the maximum number of photo’s will introduce your property information to the largest real estate website in the United States, Realtor.com.
The bottom line, Open houses have always been better for agents than sellers. Prospective home buyers usually walk through a Open House and ask the agent “ what other listings are on the market”? Because we reside in a resort area and buyers tend to visit on the weekends, Open Houses tend to have a larger draw of curious people on their way the beach, especially if located on a main street.
Different Open Houses
Brokers open house tour- this is a must! After your property is listed for sale, the listing agent has the opportunity to introduce it to the local community of real estate agents. The idea is to make a great first impression so agents will remember the house. We usually serve brunch and have a drawing for dinner or bottle of special wine. Agents appreciate good food and a chance to recharge while they are out all morning reviewing 20 homes.
Weekend Open Houses- The plus of holding an open house is the chance to listen and gather feedback on the property, including likes/dislikes, condition, suggestions, and pricing. It is really more an opportunity for agents to meet potential clients and not necessarily find a buyer for your home.
