The Big Controversy: To do open house or not to do open house, that is the question! You may be asking yourself: “Do open houses sell homes?” And the answer is: open house alone probably isn’t going to sell a home, but they serve an extremely important purpose. That purpose is to get eyeballs looking at the house and bodies in the door.

Getting Things Moving

One thing to consider is that many of these buyers may not have seen it otherwise. Remember many buyers walking through the open houses are looking at options and are at different stages of the home buying process which may become expedited if they feel for a home.

The more potential buyers you can get through the door the higher chance you have of getting what you want. Buyers can get a feel for the home and if their interest is peaked normally contacts their real estate agent for a private showing.

Negotiating and Offering Solutions

Another reason open house is a crucial part of the selling process is this: It allows me as the listing agent, who knows much more about the house compared to a buyers agent, to offer potential buyers who have problems with the home some solutions for those problems.

For example, recently I sold a home in San Francisco where the wife loved the home and the husband was more emotionless. He was hopeful to be talked out but instead when I addressed all their concerns, they ended up buying it!

They did have an agent who came by an hour after them, and yet still proceeded to write and hear the opportunity. In essence, my job at open house is to offer solutions to the deficiencies that buyers perceive the home to have which I have no other opportunity to do, not even at showings normally.

In addition, remember if your competition Is open you should be too. Sometimes scheduling nightmares deter buyers. You don’t want that! If your competition is open, you should be too!

Getting to Know Your Neighborhood

Lastly, open houses are key in not just selling the house, but selling the neighborhood where the home is located. Many buyers shop different neighborhoods in a day, and I find from my experience not all of the potential buyers are knowledgeable and comfortable with the neighborhood. Open houses play a key role in buyers exploration into different neighborhoods and price points.

Who You Work With Matters

I know that many believe open houses are just a prospecting event for realtors and while that is true, there is opportunity to meet new potential buyers, every agent is different. That’s why who you work with matters. At open house I am focused on listening to buyers as they walk through the home to identify their pain points with the home and address them immediately or even offer solutions.

If you’re looking to buy or sell a property, it’s essential to work with a knowledgeable and experienced real estate agent who can guide you through the process and help you make informed decisions based on your financial goals and priorities. That’s where I come in.

If you are looking at the option of selling a home in the San Francisco or Peninsula in the near future, please reach out to us.