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Rainmaker
306,680
Chris Canfield
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Tucson, AZ
Homes for Sale in Oro Valley and Tucson, Arizona

We hold open houses in The Villages seven days a week, and properties often sell with this approach.  Granted, our market is primarily over-55 (the largest community of its type in the country), and people tend to wander through open houses.  Before you know it, they are in love with the home, and they want to sell their existing home and purchase the one we have open.  Another unique thing about our market is that we have many month-long renters who fall in love with the community and decide to buy.  Just more proof that "All Real Estate is Local!"

Mar 25, 2015 11:14 PM
Rainmaker
630,251
Ajay Pandya
e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH
Realtor Ajay Pandya

Yes.

Mar 19, 2018 05:26 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Overall not so much. But there are pocket neighborhoods that are in high demand that do bring in the buyers. So lesson is, select your open house carefully.

Mar 25, 2015 11:03 PM
Rainmaker
4,333,761
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

We rarely do them, and only if thr Seller absoulutely wants one. The crowds don't appear like they do on TV!

Mar 25, 2015 10:30 PM
Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

I may be missing the boat but I have not held an Open House in 10 years.  

Mar 25, 2015 10:23 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

You can not use the 1980s open house to sell 'that' home.

However, if the seller is committed to selling their house, AND they have committed to a realistic price for which they will sell it (does not need to be the list price), the open house can get the house sold.

However, SELLING THE HOUSE must be the goal of the open house.

Here's the problem. Over 90 % of AR agents revealed they do not know how to sell a house. They rely on the MLS and buyers agents to get homes sold. 

Consequently, for the overwhelming majority. an open house is not worthwile for the seller because the talent to get the job done is not present.

I am currently working on the FIVE GOALS OF AN OPEN HOUSE, one of with is 'Selling the house' that will be available for the 10% of agents who indicated they know how to sell WITHOUT complete reliance on the MLS.

Conclusion: a putter is a useful driving the ball off the tee as the TYPICAL open house and agent is to selling a house.

Mar 25, 2015 09:31 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I have not found them a great tool in my area. I sense that often agents just hold them when a house isn't selling and they want to show their seller they are doing something to get it sold.

Mar 25, 2015 08:48 PM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Yes, I have sold many to folks who visited the open house.

Jan 09, 2020 06:16 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

For some homes, yes.

Jul 11, 2018 06:34 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Seller? No. Agent? Sometimes

Aug 07, 2017 05:16 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Russ - it's typically a part of my overall marketing strategy.  

Apr 18, 2015 07:13 PM
Rainmaker
1,380,861
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

Not in my sizzling hot seller's market.

Apr 08, 2015 07:16 PM
Rainer
105,987
Chris Mamone
Keller Mortgage - Tacoma, WA
Senior Loan Officer

I think open houses are hit and miss in my area. I went to three open houses this weekend. Saturday was very busy lots of foot traffic. Sunday it was almost dead. I think if you are going to do an open house, make sure to spread the word!

Mar 31, 2015 02:27 AM
Rainmaker
1,085,110
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Our listings are usually selling so fast, there is no time for an Open House and many Sellers do not want them, having read enough about how seldom the house is sold this way. I do think they are great for attracting buyers and possibly other sellers if promoted properly.

Mar 30, 2015 10:36 AM
Rainmaker
873,507
Mike McCann Nebraska Land Broker
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Farm & Commercial Land Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
Farm & Commercial Property For Sale 308-627-3700

I am a absolute believer in Open Houses!!  Although I list very few houses at this stage in my career...if I do...holding Open Houses is a main priority.  I feel bad for those who do not have luck at holding homes open as there is definitely new business and customers there plus excellent opportunities to sell the listing.

Mar 30, 2015 04:42 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

Not usually...YET there are a few homes I've sold over the years that WERE from buyers who came to the open house. So...I always do at least one open house to determine to see whether there is much traffic. If so, I will do it again!

Mar 29, 2015 01:45 AM
Rainer
392,768
Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

I live in an area that is a private lake development with limited access.  This makes it unproductive to hold open house events. That is unless, you want to get to know the neighbors.

Mar 29, 2015 12:06 AM
Rainmaker
1,951,943
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Yes. Case in point: a woman stopped by an open house--saw the signs--fell in love with the house and bought it. She had told her real estate agent she wanted a 3-bedroom, and never would have seen this 2-bedroom plus sun room had it not been for that open. (I later sold the house again and helped her move to a large view home.)

Mar 28, 2015 10:47 PM
Rainmaker
2,577,471
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

We don't usually do open houses here. We do Realtor's Open house and agents can bring their clients. Lunch or some have door prizes.

Mar 28, 2015 11:19 AM
Rainer
26,824
Linda Cooley
RE/Max Metro - Saint Petersburg, FL

In our metro area, there are sections that work for open houses....but here in the sunshine there is so much outside activity happening continuously that it is hard to get traffic...in 14 yrs. my team has "sold" 3 homes that can be tracked to open houses.  

Mar 28, 2015 09:24 AM
Rainmaker
969,888
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

I have not done one in about 3 years. Safety and return on investment is not worth it. 

Mar 28, 2015 02:42 AM
Rainmaker
3,340,443
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Our open houses are limited to early market entry and that seems to get the

most attendance...on line is the best visibility.

Mar 27, 2015 09:12 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239 - our area, open houses are surely popular! Helps me as buyer's agent to handle many buyers at the same time as I request my buyers to visit the homes at open house (many of them have first showing at open house - and is gone in no time!)

I do visit the homes that my buyers are interested in again with them. So, I am not all that lazy....

Mar 27, 2015 01:13 PM
Rainmaker
897,826
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

Not really. If we hold an open house, you are lucky if you get one person in there. If you get three people it's pretty much a success.

Mar 27, 2015 12:10 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Open houses don't work in my area. I don't know why, but they just don't. 

Mar 26, 2015 06:57 AM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

That is an interesting question that I can have a multitude of answers. I have done open houses where I haven't seen a single person and there was even a lack of crickets.

On the other hand; I have had other open houses where I've been busy the whole time and found a buyer for my sellers property and three more buyer prospects to work with.

 

Mar 26, 2015 04:06 AM
Rainmaker
38,609
Holleay Parcker - Spinnaker Realty - Serving Clients From Corolla to Hatteras
SPINNAKER REALTY LLC - Kitty Hawk, NC
With 14 Yrs Experience in Outer Banks Real Estate

Open houses don't work that well in my market, which is mostly second homes and investment properties...

The Outer Banks is a resort community, where the population swells during the summer months as hundreds of thousands come to vacation with their families.  During the one or two weeks they are here, most vacationers don't want to slog through an open house with their children in tow.  They would rather be at the beach, or visiting one of the local attractions.

During the winter months, virtually no one is here!  And the weather can be dreadful, with long last nor-easters bringing foul weather for days on end.  Who wants to go out in that kind of miserable weather to attend an open house? 

Mar 26, 2015 01:49 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Yes. Sometimes they are worth it.

Mar 26, 2015 01:29 AM
Rainmaker
582,106
Eric Kodner
Madeline Island Realty - La Pointe, WI
CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -

In our seasonal second-home market, open houses do not appear to work well. We hold an open when the seller requests it, but the results haven't matched the effort.

Mar 26, 2015 01:02 AM
Rainer
216,475
Bob Publicover
Publicover Realty Group, inc - Stuart, FL
Thinking outside the box

Larry, I do open houses and do them well, for the theatrical affect of the seller.....they expect that as part of your marketing duties. We have a lot of "gated communities" in Florida making it difficult to have showings. I would agree with some of the statistics on open houses.. 3% -5% of sales are due to open houses.

Mar 25, 2015 11:06 PM
Rainmaker
2,362,948
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I should have said in my answer that I also do actually sell houses from my open houses-

Mar 25, 2015 10:19 PM
Rainmaker
2,362,948
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I love doing open houses for the right homes- ones that attract young professionals - first time homebuyers - I get lots of business from those open houses

Mar 25, 2015 10:18 PM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Not usually, but it depends on area/location, price, etc. So it's case by case really.

Mar 25, 2015 09:20 PM