Barrington Open Houses Are A Liability!

Open houses in Barringtonin the years preceding the explosion of the internet, were a very common thing. In todays real estate business they have certainly declined in popularity, let's face it the chance of someone driving around, stumbling upon an open house, visiting and buying the house are slim to none. I am not saying it doesn't happen but the odds are very low. Buyers today use the internet to do their research, which is a good thing.

So why are Barrington open houses a liability Corinne?

A Barrington listing Realtor, or not so good, a Realtor from the same office will hold your house open to the public for 2 to 4 hours. One person. The Realtors job is to sell the house right? Maybe not! It's a true statement that the reason other Realtors will hold the house open is not to sell your house but to snag a buyer. Or more than one buyer. But here are some of those liability issues:

• Realtor's have been murdered at open houses. Grim as that sounds we are opening ourselves to that possibility.
• Burglars can case a house for possible theft of high ticket items and check out security.
• More than one visitor at a time makes it difficult to watch everyone-items may go missing.
• Breakage, it's not deliberate but kids can break expensive items, even adults can be clumsy.
• Food and drink if spilled can cause expensive damage to carpets and hardwood floors.

The internet is as good a tool as any I know to weed out the "lookie loo"s from the "worthy buyers". It the worthy buyers you want to visit. The ones that have proved they can financially afford your home, have a good reason to buy not just a whim and have pre-qualified your house online by looking at photos and tours and deciding it needs to be seen. Those buyers will either have a Realtor, call a Realtor, or call the listing agent.

If you don't know me there's one thing for sure, I shoot straight and this is one of those posts. I believe honesty is always the best policy, even though sometimes it might sting.

Just remember this post is written by Corinne Guest, therefore it is my opinion and others may disagree, but I have the right to publish my opinions, and if it helps some of you make a decision about open houses, then for that I am thankful.