Should Your Real Estate Agent Hold an Open House?
Open House Blog Revised February 2018
The JS Realty Team @ Samson Properties believes that an Open House can add value when helping our clients sell their home. Our goal is to sell the home for top dollar in the shortest amount of time possible. From increased traffic to providing additional feedback, Open Houses are an integral part of our marketing plan.
MORE TRAFFIC = MORE POTENTIAL BUYERS
Open houses bring people through your front door. Yes, some of those visitors will be people “just looking”, who have no intention of buying a home at the moment. However, they have friends, relatives, and co-workers that they might mention the home to. Open Houses also attract Buyers that are just starting out on their home search. A lot of new buyers like to get a feel for the area and what type of home they can afford by attending an Open House. A National Association of Realtors study revealed that 45% of home buyers used Open Houses as a source for information. Your open house may even convert one of those people who are “just looking” into an urgent Buyer if they really like what they see. The fact is – the more people that come through your home, the better chance you have to sell it.
FEEDBACK
Open Houses provide great feedback to the listing Agent and the Seller. Whether it’s a neighbor or a potential Buyer, an experienced Agent is going to try to get as much feedback about the home as possible from the visitors. The kitchen may be updated but the bathrooms are smaller than the house a few doors down. Your yard is landscaped and well cared for, but the house across the street hasn’t seen a mower all season. Maybe last month 3 new families moved in, all with young children. This is the kind of additional feedback on the home and neighborhood that could possibly be helpful to the listing Agent and Seller. This is a great way to gauge the markets response to a home for sale.
SEEING IS BELIEVING
There is a segment of the population that likes doing things “the old fashioned way.” They go out on Sundays and check out the homes in neighborhoods they are interested in. Believe it or not, not everyone wants to see a home exclusively online. Some people actually want to get out and see it for themselves, on their own. Pictures and virtual tours can only tell you so much. Viewing space, layouts, and getting an overall “feel” for the home is an important part of the buying process.
LIVING IN A SHOWROOM
Having your home on the market and keeping it ready for showings is not easy. You can possibly reduce the number of individual showings by holding an Open House. Your potential buyer might visit your home and therefore not need to schedule a private showing. This will mean one less appointment you would have to get ready for!
MARKETING TOOL
Holding an Open House can also be used successfully as a marketing tool. In today’s fast paced market Sellers need to use every tool available to them to get the best possible price for their home. And Open Houses are definitely one of the best tools at your disposal!
If you’re looking to buy or sell a home, Scott Koval and the JS Realty Team can help you find the best solution to your real estate needs! Contact Scott online or by calling 703-625-3446.