Hi all, I'm sitting my first open house this week end. The listing agent told me I could have all unrepresented buyers but I'm not real sure how to go about soliciting these potential clients. Shoot, I'm not even real sure how to conduct the open house.

any and all info for this new guy is appreciated.

No worries. I'll try to keep this short

First of all, it's a good idea to preview the home first so you are familiar with the property.

Grab as many signs as you can and place them strategically around the neighborhood. Add balloons if possible. Have an ad placed in the newspaper if you have enough notice.

Go to the house, turn on all the lights, open some windows if it stuffy. Open the doors to all the major rooms and open closet doors a crack.

Have literature on the home ready at a sign-in table and ask that guests sign the register. A good register will have a yes or no box to check for whether the people are represented.

Casual conversation will usually reveal whether they are actually looking or just getting interior design ideas. If they indicate they are looking, it is not inappropriate to ask if they are represented.

Follow up with the attendees by phone.

Bring a snack, breath mints and some reading material. It can get boring.

Danielle Kennedy's book has a chapter on how to sit an open house and capture as much as possible. Also some good ways to drum up traffic beforehand.

And instead of reading material for the slow times I'll be bringing direct marketing materials to prepare, address, etc. Not only is this a lot more productive but it makes a good case for your marketing skills. Let's say a couple comes in to look and it turns out they need a listing agent. If you have a huge stack of mailers you're preparing to send out to buyers you look a lot better than if you're reading Moby Dick.

Also you ought to memorize some listings in the area for shoppers. If they come in and say "gee, looks nice and we're ready to buy, but we want a house without a pool in this area."

------------------
Jason in Dallas
Telecom Sales and Service Manager
RE license coming soon

The open house is another question that is a rather personal thing... Everyone does them differently... I remember when I started everyone told me they were kind of fruitless.. Well as I was there, I changed my techniques on different people... As I did them, I started to evolve my techniques and actually did quite well with them... BUT please understand me... If done correctly they are alot of work and you must have a time management plan in place that is effective and that you can keep in place all of the time..

Good Luck

Duane

I personally enjoy doing open houses and if you can get one new buyer it is worth it. Getting a listing is even better.

I also use an open house as an opportunity to make "warm calls" several days in advance. I 'll phone people in the area to invite them, their friends or family to drop by, and then ask if they are planning a move in the next 3-6 months. I find this more effective than "cold calling".

I agree with the earlier postings that you need to experiment with your technique. I don't use a guest book - too many "Mickey Mouses" but record everyone myself on a registration sheet on a clipboard. I find people are more willing to give an email address than phone number, but often I will get both. I always ask if they are working with an agent.



------------------
Jeffery Shields
RE/MAX Select Properties
Vancouver, BC
jefferyshields.com
jefferyshields@remax.net

I am not a lawyer and I am not giving legal advice. The information provided here is for information purposes only and should not be relied upon without seeking proper legal advice.

thanks for the replys. since the origina; post, I sat 3 open houses> no buyers or listings yet. I'm sure that means Im due. I'm eager to sit my next. I think they get better each time. I have incoorperated balloons on each directional as well as the actual open house sign. I plan to be more selective with whom I offer to sit thier open house. Dang it! I need my own listing.

it's about to take off. I can feel it!

I really dont like open houses,
I find that people are very afraid of agents, b/c of the stigma of real estate agents & i
also b/c of the DONOT CALL list you have to word your guest book right

I also work in a team so that my partner & when we do an open house, i find people are better reponsive to women & feel less threatened

Hi
As said before everyone has their own technique. After doing bunch you will create your know style.

Here are some of my thoughts on open house:

1. If you want attend open house with an experienced agent in your office.

2. I print all the active listing in and around the area I am doing open house on in the mornign before leaving for my open house

3. During open hosue when anyone walks in I start with light conversation, get their presceptive on the house I am hosting open.

I try not to give them image that I am trying to solicate them as my buyer without bothering about this house I have in hand.

If they are looking for something more or less in the house I give them my active listing in my company folder, along with my business card staple, a tri-folder with my company information.

When I follow up after open house I usually bring up the question did the list help them

Hope this helps.

Ritu


------------------
Ritu Desai
Full Professional Service with Great Savings!
Samson Realty
4%-4.5% FULL SERVICE LISTINGS
&
CASH BACK TO ALL MY HOMEBUYERS

Cell - 703-625-4949
Office: 703-896-5775
Email - rituadesai@yahoo.com
On the web: http://www.homesdatabase.com/ritu