Open House controversy

Having been in the Real Estate business full time since 1992, I have heard it all about whether Open houses work to actually sell houses. My Opinion has not changed over the years, the fact is that Open houses do work to sell houses. Find an agent that says Open houses don't work and you will find an agent that does not like to hold Open Houses. Its just that simple. I was talking to a Realtor a few days ago, (one of my colleagues) and we were brain storming about how to increase business in this market. He told me his wife actually said to him that because he has been in the business over 20 years that he should be at the point that he does not have to work weekends any more. I could not believe it, that is like telling a veteran surgeon that he does not have to spend any more time in the hospital. Realtors work nights and weekends, and that includes doing Open Houses on Sunday, of the 52 weeks in a year we do Opens at least 45 of those weekends. I have met so many Realtors over the years that struggle with the nights and weekends hours and I always wonder why they even bother to get in our business.

We had three Open houses this past weekend and had an average of 15 groups through each open house. So far none of them have sold as a direct result of the Open house, however the previous two weekends we had an average of 3 Opens also and two of those houses did sell one of which we sold ourselves. One of the best reasons to do Open Houses is to get feed back from the market place (buyers) as to the condition, price etc. on that house. The seller always appreciates direct feedback from the buyers. Don't get me wrong Open houses are not the cure all for selling houses, but it is one of about 10-15 different ways we market listings. Give me a call to discuss the rest. If your a Realtor out there struggling with the weekend schedule, just get over it, plan on working those two days and taking the other five off. That would be better than trying to take the weekend off. Happy House Hunting and Happy egg hunting.