Open House How To’s success

Let me share this week’s new distinction and go over what I took from my last Open House that worked. You may remember I had 28 people come through my last open house in 2 hours. Most of them spoke of the card that I had left at their door and called me by name. I prepared an Open House Invitation and personally asked them to come on each card, in my own handwriting. I have learned that when you write on a card the person is more likely to read just that portion. I did the same with this new home and expanded my reach by another 100 farm homes. The point I make when I meet people is that now you have the opportunity to pick thier neighbor. I say this with a smile and everyone then begins to think who they would like to have as a neighbor, a friend, and a relative, someone that just recently asked them if they liked their own community. In Texas in the summer this is hot work. Whoever wrote, ‘never let them see you sweat” obviously has never been in Dallas in the summer.

I know this technique works and it is part of every preparation for a successful Open House. So to is creating an e-tour so that a web search will provide the viewer with a complete view of the home. I send out emails to my prospects that are looking for a home like this in the area and include the link to the e-tours. Once someone takes the tour I get notified on my cell phone that they are doing so. I get their phone number and their email address; this is part of what they must do to take the tour.

While I was walking the neighborhood a couple of days ago I saw the local high school at the end of the block. I had been thinking of the people in the neighborhood and wondering whom I should be talking to who might want to move in. It occurred to me that some people like to be close to work. After walking the neighborhood and delivering 100 postcard invitations and sweating 3 gallons I went over to the school and was permitted to post the listing on the faculty bulletin board. It is summer so I don’t expect to get too much activity this way, but it opened me up to the possibility of this idea in the future for other homes as well. Not only the schools, but also any business that employs a lot of people nearby will get the notices. My job is to promote the property in every way possible to get people to consider the home. The more I do, the faster I get to the one person who will find the home to be just the one for them.

While in the home the day of the Open House I shot more video and photography knowing the owners had spent considerable time and effort to get their home looking perfect. I don’t just shoot content at one time and consider it done. The more new content I have the more I can refresh the listing and get more people looking. Yes, it is more work, but it also produces greater results. Since we are paid for results I think of that and not the work involved. It becomes a win-win for all sides. Selling faster at a higher price point is what makes me a top agent. It is about the work that is done for my clients. As always it is all about them and this brings me joy and success. I hope these ideas have helped you look at your next open house in a new way.