Open Houses...Part 2

There are many agents who don't want to host open houses every weekend, and I don't blame them.  As I told you before, I've been on both sides of the open house debate and I can honestly say there are valid reasons why some agents don't host them.  Here are a few of those reasons...

Open houses are a thing of the past...Your house is open 24/7 online!
The internet certainly allows us to have virtual open houses 24/7, 365 days a year in rain, snow, blazing heat, and even on the holidays, but video tours and professional photos still cannot take the place of walking through the front door of what could be a buyer's new home.  Not even the most creative photographer or marketing expert can let you see, touch, smell, and hear all that a home has to offer.

Agents only do open houses to find new prospects!
It's not the only reason, but we do host open houses for ourselves too!  Many buyers just starting out in their home search haven't made contact with a mortgage lender or real estate agent yet and don't even know where to start.  They see an open house sign and they feel less pressured to stop in and take a look as opposed to calling an agent they've never met to set up a private showing.  This is one of the areas a real estate agent can benefit from hosting open houses-- obtaining new buyers who are not yet working with another agent.  What agents who use this excuse seem to forget is that they could be hosting an open house for another seller and find the buyer for YOUR home.

Open houses are just for nosey neighbors!
Just as the other two excuses, this one has some truth to it too.  I always prepare my seller for the inevitable parade of neighbors at their first open house.  Some admit to being a nosey neighbor, while others try out their acting skills on me, like this is my first day on the job.  This is ok!  Let all the neighbors see it, let them all talk about it to their friends, family, and co-workers!  Your buyer may come from one of those sources!  I especially enjoy when a neighbor tells me "they'll never get that much out of this house".  They think they're keeping their house perfectly positioned as the best home on the block until I remind them that whatever this house sells for will have a direct impact on the market value of their home.  Suddenly, they're in my corner hoping I sell it for full price!  It's the little things that keep me amused!

Open houses are dangerous!
Well, true.  I can't really argue this one.  We sit in a house and invite strangers inside.  Who in their right mind would do that?  Only a real estate agent!  Thankfully, over the years we've all wised up to the threat of "stranger-danger" and we've been educated in REALTOR® safety, self defense, and have several safety precautions and procedures in place.

So what is your opinion of open houses now that you've hear both sides of the argument?  Do you think they work?  Do you think they're worth the trouble?  I'd love to hear your comments!

Open or Not Open...That is the question!

"Do you do open houses?"....."Do open houses work?".....

These are questions asked by almost every seller at a listing appointment.  The answers to these questions will vary depending on who you talk to!  It's widely debated amongst real estate professionals, and I've been on both sides of the argument.  Yes, I admit, I've flip-flopped.

When I first started out as a REALTOR® in 2003, I held open houses every Sunday, sometimes two or three of them!  My very first sale was a direct result of an open house, and several homes after that, so I was a firm believer in them for many years.

It wasn't until the market crashed in 2008-2010 that they became a "colossal waste of my time".  And by the way, that is a direct quote from yours truly that I posted on Facebook once, which of course was not well received by one of my sellers.  Lesson learned.


Here it is 2013 and I'm still hosting open houses almost every weekend.  Why?  Because it's just one of the many things I do to sell my listings.  It's not the #1 reason why homes sell, but it's ONE of the number of reasons why homes sell.

You might be surprised to know that some of the top selling REALTORS® in our area are still hosting open houses every Sunday.  It could just be a coincidence, I'll leave it up to you to decide.

In my next blog I will share why most agents say open houses do not work.  You never know, you may flip-flop too!  

Back to Blogging & Begging for Referrals!

My last blog post was last year.  Oops!  You would think with as much as I have to say that I would blog more.  Maybe I should blog more and Facebook less???  Don't answer that!

This one is short and sweet, just a follow up to my last post a year ago.  The same dad who referred me to his daughter and another buyer also referred me to the owner of this house.

The seller had to move due to a job change and had tried two other listing agents before calling me.  She was tired of taking care of her house while living out of state and she wanted it SOLD.  She asked me for my professional opinion on why it hasn't sold and I offered her my advice.  It took her a few weeks to come around, but she finally agreed to the cosmetic changes that I recommended.  With the right marketing in place and the home in showing condition, it didn't take long for our buyer to come along.

We closed on this house Friday!  Buyer and seller couldn't be happier and I'm thrilled that I was able to get the job done for her, and for our mutual friend who referred me to her.

I love referrals!  If you know of someone who is thinking about buying or selling real estate, please let them know that Jenni Sells Homes!

I Love Referrals!

I sold a house a year or two ago to a young lady whose Dad hand picked me to be her REALTOR.  He  had bought and sold homes in the past with another REALTOR and was very happy with her service but felt like she wouldn't be a good fit for his daughter.  He knew his daughter would want a REALTOR who was into emailing, texting, and offered online services, etc.  We were a great fit.  She and her fiancé looked at several homes, even wrote a couple offers on other homes before they found the PERFECT home.  They were happy, Dad was happy, and I was happy that I met his expectations for his daughter.

A few days ago that same dad walked into my office, just like he had done a few years back, and gave me the name and number of another want-to-be-buyer.  This buyer had not talked to anyone about financing a home, finding a home, or buying a home, but was told that Jenni Beck would be calling him!  This buyer already trusted me before I ever called.  He knew I'd answer his questions and give him the advice he needed and I didn't have to try to convince him to work with me.  This buyer is now pre-approved and ready to start home shopping!

People like to do business with people they know, like, and trust.  It's that simple.  If you know, like, and trust me, I would appreciate the opportunity to let your friends, family, co-workers, etc. get to know, like, and trust me too.

If you know of someone who is thinking about buying or selling, I would appreciate you referring them to me.  I've been selling real estate for almost 10 years now, and I still love my job.  I take the REALTOR Code of Ethics very seriously and strive to maintain the highest level of professionalism possible.  Whether old, young, first time home buyers, divorcing couple, estates, etc., I offer the latest and greatest tools and resources and have the know-how and experience to help all types of buyers and sellers.

Playing Nice In The Sandbox

Tonight we hosted a class at the Current Realty office for a new program the MLS just launched called Listingbook.  The class was very informative, and the new program is pretty cool!  Surprisingly not a lot of questions were asked, which means either everyone understood it or everyone was completely lost and confused!  Tim Dain with SIRMLS taught the class, and he did a great job of explaining the program and how it will benefit REALTORS and our clients.

We had a great turn out-- several Brokers attended from different offices around the River Bend area.  I made a huge pot of chili and the cutest little individual layered taco dip cups!  Yum!

It's awesome to me how many of the local REALTORS get along so well, even though we're all competitors.  The smart and successful Brokers realize how important it is to build and maintain good relationships with each other.  Just like in any profession-- everyone has worked with a difficult person before, and hopefully a pleasant one as well.  How much more do we get accomplished when we enjoy the people we work with?  Not only do we get the job done, but it's done quickly, correctly, and with less headaches and frustration.  When choosing a REALTOR, buyers and sellers should investigate whether or not the Broker they're considering has a good working relationship with local Brokers...pick someone who "plays nice in the sandbox" so to speak.

Back to Listingbook...If you are a current homeowner or plan to be one day, ask me about Listingbook.  It's a great way for you, the consumer, to keep an eye on the changing real estate market.  Whether you're waiting for the perfect home to come on the market or wanting to keep your property value in check by watching sold data-- this is a great, FREE, no pressure way to do it.