Attendance at open houses on homes for sale here in Brevard County Florida has slowed to a crawl. Many REALTORS are finding that they are not drawing the crowds they were in the past. Some REALTORS have noted that they haven't had a single visitor to their last open house; not even a neighbor!
So, REALTORS are trying to throw in an added twist.
REALTORS are opting to hold houses open in the evening, during the week, after people get off work.
How will that work? Will it make a difference? Will attendance increase? Do buyers like them better?
Is this just another way that REALTORS are catering to the changes in our market? And catering to the needs of their buyers and sellers?
As a REALTOR, many of my listing appointments are scheduled in the evenings at the convenience of sellers. And, often times I work with buyers on weeknight evenings. My other evenings are spent enjoying my teenage daughters many school functions.
So, are REALTOR open houses effective during weeknight evenings or are they a waste of time?
Does it depend on the type of home being offered for sale?
So, next time you go out looking for a home, be sure to wear your jamies and bring your flashlight, your pillow and your toothbrush!
that for you
Depends on...how well is this new night advertised...lotsa signs...internet...and you may find that there are agents who are childless who would be thrilled for the opportunity to hold an open....
I do opens on weekday nights during the summer months, since so many work longer hours now, weekend have become too sacred to waste on an open house. Plus Sundays during football season, it cuts down visitor too.
We are in a customer service business. If the buyers express a need, savvy realtors will be quick to respond. I think open houses at night are great ideas in areas where people, like yourself, are busy on the weekends with the house or doing things with the family, but can squeeze an hour or two out of the evening (or before coming home from work) to look at a home. If there is interest, you can be sure that they will do a drive by during the daylight hours - so what's the harm?
Some new home communities get buyer traffic on weeknights when buyers stop by after work. Makes sense to try holding an open house during the same time-frame.
Sandy: I had a very successful open house one Friday night that we dubbed a "Happy Hour". It was a condo in an Active Adult community. I think it worked because it was a very close knit community. Depends on the property.
I think it will definately depend on the property, neighborhood, etc. If its a big "family" neighborhood, they just won't have the time to stop by in addition to getting the kids ready, etc, but Sandy's idea of a "happy hour" in an adult active community is fabulous.
Hi Sally and David, Thanks for the feedback. I do agree it's effectiveness depends on proper advertising.
Hi Mary, I love the idea of holding weeknight open houses during the summer. I agree that our weekends are sacred, because we just have so little time anymore to spend with our families. Keep up the great job!
Hi Martin, Thanks for the input. You are correct in that buyers will find a way to squeeze in an hour if there is an interest. Take care and have a great week!
Hi Rich, How are you today? Good point that new home communities have been holding weeknight opens. It makes sense to hold them during the same period of time. Thanks for your view!
Hey Chris, I think it does depend on the property. A Friday night happy hour is a great idea in an Active Adult, close knit community. What a great idea! Keep up the great job!
Hey Sandy, how about an open Haunted House? Maybe choose a fixer upper and do some decorations. ???? Gotta try everything, right? Have a wonderful week.
Hi Winter, Love the name! I agree that Chris' idea of a Friday night happy hour is a great idea! Love it! It does depend on the community, the property and the circumstances. Take care and have a great week!
Hey Fred, Funny, that would probably work absolutely perfectly! I LOVE the idea and I bet that house would sell quickly. Funny that you mention that, several 2 weeks ago I had a tenant move out of one of my rental houses because she insisted that it was haunted by a ghost named Larry -True story- she was really, really terrified. I wrote a previous blog article about it. For me I believe that about 95% of sightings can be explained. The house is now empty. My teenage daughters want to have a haunted sleepover in the house to meet Larry -I'll let you know if we do it and how it goes!
May be a great idea, but I'd be very, very careful....Have 2 or 3 of you there for safety reasons!(not to rain on the parade, but SO many whackos out there these days).
Debi
Sandy, if they meet Larry, make sure they get his autograph. Maybe a night of spooky movies would go along with the sleepover.
Let me know if you do a haunted open house. I want credit for the idea. LOL
Hi Debi, Excellent point that no one else has brought up yet! Thanks for the GREAT safety tip! That is a very valid concern! Take care!
Hey Fred, I would love to take my girls with a couple of close friends and spend the night on the floor in sleeping bags over there. I think it would be really fun and really scary! I love the idea of spooky movies! I'll have to make that suggestion! Now what if we really did hear voices? You never know (LOL)! I will indeed let you know if I do a haunted open house -you will definitely get ALL the credit!
It was the FIRST thing I thought of! (I'm such a scardy cat ;)
Debi
Open house OVERnight, maybe? That will really give the potential buyers a sense of how it would feel to live in that house... :)
Hi Debi, I think it was an EXCELLENT first thought and it would ABSOLUTELY make me think twice before having an evening open house! You can never, ever be too safe in our business! Thanks for a point well taken.
Hi Carey, We have heard of owners that are offering a sleepover to a potential buyer, in their home. I previously wrote a blog article about it. My question is, how can you really get a 'feel' for someone else's home when you are sleeping, you are sleeping in THEIR bed, and you are sleeping around THEIR belongings? I have heard of other REALTORS doing it. However, I find it questionable. Thanks for the thought!
Sandy,
SO far in my area these have not produced the results people thought they would. My thoughts: when people are coming home from work, all they want to do is get home.
Ann
Ann, I have seen and heard some of the same things -some are not effective. Point well taken - I know for me, when I'm coming home after a long day, all I want to do is get home. Thanks for your input. Hope you are well!
Hi Sandy,
I have not tried one nor have I seen one advertised by another agent in my area. I'm not sure how well they would work. Chris may be on to something ... calling an open "happy hour" could work :)
Hi Marie, I hope you are doing well. I haven't seen alot of them around here. But, do see one occasionally...never one with a driveway full of cars, though. I love Chris' Friday night "happy hour" -she said it was quite successful. Sounds fun! I suppose we will have to open to new ideas in our ever changing market. Take care!
Sandy,
Doing better..... Thank you,
Ann
Hi Sandy,
I did an Open House on a Friday nite, it was in a part of the city where there was alot going on.
I did flyers and advertised as a "Twilight Open House" I had finger foods and drinks and candles everywhere, gave away a TurkeY for a door prize ( It was in November) People at the office came by and had lots of buyers. I think anytime is good for an Open house , the more exposure the better!
I went door to door the week leading to the Open house and handed out the flyers to the neighbors
They thought it was a Great Idea!
Hi Robin, Sounds like a great idea and a huge success? Thanks for sharing. Have you sold the house?