My First Open House

**RHobbs10** · 04-16-2009, 11:01 AM

Hello All,

First note that I am VERY happy to have joined this forum. Very helpful and friendly people.

Second, I need some advice on my first re-sale open house. I have sold new homes prior.

The home I am selling will attract people with attention to charm, family, and that "old towne" atmosphere. What are some concessions i should offer? I was thinking a simple chardonay with some cheese/crackers, Light music, maybe some of those good smelly candles? I dont know........

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

**whitesidest** · 04-16-2009, 01:32 PM

Try to cater towards the culture of the other people living in the neighborhood. They may be the wine and cheese type or they could also just be a "joe sixpack" that wants a burger and a beer. Ouch, it almost physically hurts to quote Sarah Palin....yeah, that one....the idiot that somehow got picked for VP running mate despite obvious lack of qualification.

**RHobbs10** · 04-16-2009, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by whitesidest

Try to cater towards the culture of the other people living in the neighborhood. They may be the wine and cheese type or they could also just be a "joe sixpack" that wants a burger and a beer. Ouch, it almost physically hurts to quote Sarah Palin....yeah, that one....the idiot that somehow got picked for VP running mate despite obvious lack of qualification.

Thank you very much for the advice!

**Thesa** · 04-17-2009, 10:18 AM

wow open houses around here are just that an open house... no frills -

**StepsMLS.com** · 04-17-2009, 11:43 AM

I agree that you should do something that will be appropriate for the people you will be dealing with.

Having an open house isn't just about selling this house, its about networking. Personally, if an agent gave me a burger and a beer at a open house my wife dragged me to I would for sure use his as my next agent.

You want to get to know the people who come into your open house and you want to try and build a relationship with them so when they are ready to buy, or sell, they will hopefully come to you.

**Malok** · 04-18-2009, 07:45 PM

Personally, I'd never offer alcohol at an open house. Too many potential problems with that:

spilling it and staining the carpet
under legal drinking age
wrecking their car on the way home - and blaming YOU
etc
etc

**First Time Home Buyers** · 04-18-2009, 09:58 PM

I have hosted a few opens and never had any food or beverages. I figure they are there to look at the house, not eat and drink.

I would instead give them something of value: a printout of other homes in the area, or sold homes, or something about your industry they may find interesting and say "hey, this guy knows his stuff and is willing to share"

Food and drink is a good thing for a one-on-one meeting setup, but not for an open house in my opinion. Although it can have a nice effect in an upper scale place. But those homes aren't really selling from what I hear...

**Steve Foss** · 04-19-2009, 11:05 AM

Being a guy, one trick I like to do is to have the tv set on with a sporting event. If there is a football game on a sunday afternoon, or basketball playoffs like there are right now, this 9 times out of 10 is a conversation starter. It keeps people (guys and couples especially) in the house longer and gives you something to socialize about not relating to trying to sell them a house or on your services. Just creates a laid back atmosphere and shows that you may have something in common.

**houston** · 04-19-2009, 08:33 PM

I would go for market stats, school information. Personally if I went to an open house and one realtor offered food and the other offered knowledge I would go with the second realtor but that is just me.

**wkmattingly** · 04-21-2009, 07:17 PM

I'm going to have my first open house coming up in 3 weeks and I'm trying to decide what to do. From everything I've heard, open houses help you attract clients more than buyers.

What have any of you done that has been successful? I'm thinking of supplying different products from local banks. Recent sales in 1/4 mile radius. Other houses in 1/4 mile radius. My cards. Maybe cool stuff in the area? How bout some coupons from local restaraunts? Plate of cookies?

Pitch in.