I have said for the past two years that I just don't do open houses. I have placed open houses where I do print advertising, in the grave and closed the lid!
Last weekend one of my sellers asked if she could borrow my open house signs because there was a "neighborhood yard sale" taking place with at least 13 neighbors having a yard sale at the same time. I agreed and took over my open house signs.
My seller called me this a.m. to tell me "10 couples" came in to see the home and at least 3 of the couples showed a lot of interest! Two hours later I receive a call from a Realtor who said one of her buyers saw my listing during the open house and is real interested! "This is truly open houses raised from the grave!"
I remember reading a blog by an AR member last year where they had great success combining yard sales with open houses with a new twist. Her new twist was to have all the neighbors agree to donate a percentage of the yard sale profits to charity. They also had a local radio station come on location to promote the charity.
The reason my sellers success is so amazing is that open houses done the old fashion way in our area just have not been working well at all and 99% of Realtors like me had given up on them.
Take this to heart and talk to your sellers about getting a neighborhood yard sale together. You may just attract some ready, willing and able buyers like my seller just did!
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Posted By: George Tallabas - Boise Idaho Real Estate Agent - Associate Broker
with RE/MAX Advantage, Canyon Counties #1 Brokerage in sales and listings
specializing in Boise Idaho Real Estate and Southwest Idaho Real Estate.
Chelle - This is amazing because regular open houses were dead!
Casey - Very true...thanks!
Frank - Thanks my friend and I hope all is well.
John - Good luck to you!
Patrick - It's a great idea and I wish you well.
Hi George...Hope that interest turns into a contract for you and your sellers. Great that the seller was willing to do the open.
Kathleen
Evelyn - Thinking outside the box is it! Thanks
Kathleen - Thank you for the good wishes
Bart - Very true....thanks!
George, how cool is that? AND whodda thunk? I think, too, that the weather is getting a bit better too. It seems people are starting to come out of the woodwork. Great idea! :-)
Terri - Thank you my friend. I hope everyone will come out and play!
Kathleen - So very true.
Liz - Good luck to you!
Patricia - Good for you and thanks for the page compliment!
Elizabeth - I'm glad you like my new blog page and have a great day!