If it’s Sunday afternoon, you can typically find me hosting an Open House somewhere. I suppose a part of me would rather be relaxing or going someplace that’s fun or interesting, or spending time with family like anyone. It gets really hard for instance when there is a Colts or Pacers game that conflicts with the same time. I do some improvising with the Open House time slot usually, so I can do both if possible. But I guess another part of me enjoys the atmosphere and situation that an Open House provides for me and for the Sellers of the home that I’m holding open.
People ask me “Do Open Houses really work to sell a home?” Well, of course the answer is “Yes and No”. Visitors come to an Open House more prepared than they used to because of the information available on the Internet. They do their homework first. In years past people had no idea what a home or neighborhood was like and so they came in to find out. That still happens of course, but some people actually use a Open House as a way to “show” the home to themselves. So occasionally the home will sell directly because of the Open House. But most people usually are just starting the looking process…trying to get a feel for value and neighborhoods and the market in general. Open Houses are a good way to start to do that.
You never really know what’s going to happen. I guess that’s what I like about them the most. It’s like…“OK, let’s see what fate has in store for you today”. When I host an Open House I am very, very prepared with regard to the home itself, the neighborhood, the market, financing, and other homes for sale like the one I’m in that are nearby. But I usually don’t volunteer that information unless I’m asked about it. I like to talk about anything but real estate actually. It’s fun to just meet people and see what’s on their minds. You can’t really sell a home to anyone anyway. When people view a home, it either speaks to them or it doesn’t. I just want others to be happy and find the home that’s a perfect fit for them if that’s what they are trying to do. Of course, if the one we are in is the perfect home, then that’s good too.
So, if you are out and about on Sunday afternoon, drop on by. I’m usually out there someplace.
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