This past weekend, we kicked off our PREMIERE SHOWING of our new listing at 96 Merritt Drive in Oradell, New Jersey.
I was literally torn about utilizing an open house as part of the tactics in my marketing plan for this home but...this home shows so beautifully, I decided that the best way to kick off the marketing plan for this home was with a DOUBLE or 2 DAY Open House. Now this may not be unusual in the southern part of the US or in areas out west like Nevada ... it is unusual in Bergen County, New Jersey.
Have a Plan
As I have mentioned before....an Open House is not just about sticking a sign in the lawn and opening the doors that day. It is about upfront planning and a little legwork. You need to communicate the importance of planning to your seller.
Have the home professionally cleaned. Now, this sounds like it should be the seller's responsibility but... if you know the home is not up to your showing standards, have the home cleaned. It may cost $ 50-100 to have it cleaned but because it is looks clean and smells clean --- buyers will be impressed.
Next in my plan to kick off the first showings of this new listing --- was to have the home professionally photographed. The photographer was hired and invited to shoot the home within a day of listing the property. The photos were immediately used for a web site, realtor.com, 2 mls organizations, brochure development, etc.
Network, Network, Network
Next, the REALTORS inspection as scheduled and held on a Tuesday prior to the scheduled SAT/SUN open house. Although this was not the usual tour day for this particular town, I felt that it was critical to get other area brokers ( whose tour day is a Tuesday ) to the home in order to give them time to preview the property and time to get back to their buyers. We told everyone who visited that we would honor their buyers that weekend. Another realtor inspection was also scheduled for a second day --- this Thursday, 4/17 --- to help all those who could not attend the first showing. Giving your network of realtor professionals the opportunity to see your listing only helps you sell the property.
Advertise, And Advertise some more...
Most sellers only think the ads in the paper are the only form of advertising that is done...you must show your seller that marketing includes many, many tactics in many forms of media.
An estate sign ( is an ad ) was ordered and place on the lot. In addition to the usual company logos & signatures, I had riders put on the sign featuring the upcoming Open House PREMIERE, a direct name/number to contact and another rider was added featuring the home's web address http://www.merrittdrive.com/ .
Newspaper Ads were created with the PREMIERE Showing theme and placed in area papers and open house signs were gathered and placed at critical intersections. A large welcome mat with my company logo was placed inside the front door and booties were handy in a basket ( just in case --- of bad weather ).
The home was sparkling, mls details were ready, a tax map of the yard was available, sign up sheets were ready and all other materials were on order. My associate, Roger, was ready at the home to receive our guests.
The first day of the open house, Saturday, we had 27 groups. Some were neighbors and most were buyers. Now, I was thinking that this was a fluke, actually, because I have heard so many tales of woe about the lack of attendance at area Open Houses. So, we anxiously awaited our Open House the very next day. Well... we had 31 groups the following day for a total of 58 groups over the two day open house period. WOW!
Now, I am not suggesting that this should be done each and every weekend --- but if you have a terrific listing --- make sure you get it shown! For more information about making the most of your OPEN HOUSES --- see my blog http://activerain.com/blogsview/156125/Prep-for-your-OPEN .
COME VISIT TOMORROW --- THURSDAY, 4/17, --- from 10:30 am till 2:00 PM.
Or send your buyers --- we will honor your buyers.
Directions: Route 17 to Oradell Avenue till end. Right onto Grant Avenue. Left onto Merritt .
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copyright 2008 - Pamela Stetson
