While preparing for my open house this weekend, I came across this article:
Take Your Open House to the Next Level
Up the ante on the traditional way of showcasing your home
By Shannon Petrie, FrontDoor.com | Published: 7/09/2008
"A spiced up open house can get people talking about your home for sale.
A glass of wine, some delicious hors d'oeuvres and live music. This sounds like a great way to spend an evening -- and sell your home.
With standard open houses not doing the trick in today's sluggish market, some sellers are opting for "extreme open houses," with catered refreshments, prizes and entertainment. By throwing these elaborate shindigs, sellers hope guests will spread the word and generate buzz about their properties.
The extreme open house lets buyers see the home in a different light than a traditional open house does. Rather than a cold, uninhabited space, buyers get to see a real home that's brimming with life and energy. This helps them picture living in your home themselves.
The open house is also a good opportunity to show off your home's best features. If your home has a gourmet kitchen, hire a chef to cook for the guests. This draws attention to a big selling point. Plus, free food never turns anyone away. If you have a fabulous deck, show it off with an outdoor barbecue"…etc etc.. see the full article for more.
Now, I figure some agent’s in California have adopted this technique for serving, shall we say, more upscale food at an Open House. Instead of the old.. fresh baked cookies in the oven treat.
Click the picture for a link -->
However, I have a few questions about going BIG with an Open House:
I wonder, is it a waste of hard cost for agents or are we providing great service for the house quests?
More importantly, do the sellers that we have listed think we are going above and beyond?
Where do we draw the line, how much is TOO much? And at the same token, should we pull out the stops for a luxury home and go back to the old candy-in-a-bowl for less than luxury listings?
Alcohol?................ Enough said. Who has an opinion on that? Beer/Wine, Hard Bar, No way! ?
What about allergies, should we be careful to avoid nuts, fish and shellfish?
During these trying times in the market, I can’t help but wonder... is this something that will stick? Or are we getting desperate to have people to come to an open house? Most agents nowadays prefer to avoid open houses right? Read this for more:
Do Open Houses Sell Homes?
This weekend I am testing the waters and serving up my homemade white-turkey-chili with jalapeno corn bread and tortilla chips. I will also provide bottled water, sweat tea (we are southern) and canned sodas. It is going to be a rainy, winter day here in Richmond, Virginia and the afternoon high will be 38 degrees. What better weather to come in, take a look around the house and eat some warm chili? In addition to the buyer agent 4%, I think that other agents will be happy about it also. So is there any advice for a first time gourmet food Open House?
I bet good money, that we have a successful open house this weekend, rain or shine.
Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important than any other one thing. ~Abraham Lincoln
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Open Sunday Jan 17th from 1 to 4pm, http://3585charlescityrd.epropertysites.com/
near I-295, I-895 and I-64 for quick access to shopping, dining and work. However, while you are at home, you will enjoy a country-like setting with beautiful trees throughout the community. And, if you are a nature lover, 
