I think online marketing for open house events....buyers start their search online.... newspapers are too expensive for the one shot deal of an open house, unless it's a multi day event for an introduction to a subdivision....then you'd better have at least a half page ad in many newspapers....

I feel that it depends on community the home is located. I had advertised in a newspaper for a 55+ community and the turn out was fantastic! However, this does not work for all open houses. There are still segments of the population that read the newspaper as they trust it as a source of news and information. 

not in our community. newspapers are kind of dead. now... the online publication is ok. if your paper has one

It sure isn't in Charlotte--our real estate advertising section has virtually disappeared for all intents and purposes.

The primary newspaper I used to advertise in print classifieds (NY Times) now has an online real estate section so I advertise online instead. Several years ago I did a test. One week I ran a print ad and online. The following week I only advertised online and received the same amount of attendees.

From that point I stopped print advertising but I do advertise open houses heavily (Zillow, Trulia Realtor and local sites) online. For very high end properties my broker takes out seasonal inserts in newspapers with many of our properties advertised.

I advertise my open houses in the newspaper and there is usually one person who comes in because of it.

Little to no value in our market.

We once had a seller that wanted us to do this. The cost was too high, so we told them if they try it and it works, we will pay for it at closing. No one showed up except their neighbor!

To advertise in the Albuquerque Journal it's much too expensive.  Even a small advertisement cost an arm and leg. 

 Good Thursday morning Debbie. I find that more and more real estate agents are dropping print advertising. I think that the public still demands it.

Good morning Debbie. In my area I don't use print and fortunately don't have to, but it still is all about preparation.

Newspaper ads are very expensive and a lot of people don't read newspapers or they read different newspapers.  In my area, there are numerous newspapers to choose from - major daily locals (pick from 4), community newspapers, free 24 hour newspapers (available on the subways), numerous ethnic local newspapers (many written in other languages).  Other inexpensive and free ideas:  MLS, realtor.ca, own website, brokerage website, newsletter, door knocking.

No, it is a medium that has not yet realized that it is finished.

I do not do open houses, but I don't see newspaper advertising being very effective any longer.  However, I will be interested in reading the responses. 

Signs are fine

Newspapers a good to wrap fish.

Debbie, there are a lot of comments and opinions from those who do, and even from those who never (why did they comment?) do open houses. None of them actually did anything to find the answer.

Market research is a component of the open houses I conduct.

I DO find out if the newspaper ads paid off. 

At the door I ask, "Did you find out about this open house through the TV ads?"  When they think you spent that kind of money, they know you need real feed back which is always, "No I did not see any TV ads. I was driving down the street and saw the signs." (No, i did not buy TV ads)

30% of attendees come because of the newspaper ad.

Do your own research, then you won't need advise from those who never do open houses. It is possible in TN folks don't read newspapers but you MUST do your own research...local, real time, using your own resources.

I do not believe that it will increase the traffic to open houses. But if you want to try, let us know how it works for you.

I don't generally recommend it, unless you are a developer or a builder with deep pockets. 

Hi, Debbie

I don't think its worth it,  I use  mysinglepropertywebsite.com to create fliers and use their link to my property to post on different media outlets for the fraction of the cost.   

In our area, yes.  Fort Wayne is a city, but a smaller city.  There are many visitors that said they saw our newspaper ad, and that they look there every week.  It's just more branding.

Not a good return. Use signs. Lots of signs. If I do one I use at least 15 signs. It works. Never had a bad turn out.

It depends on your market.  In our area, we are a growing suburb of the larger city.  Newspaper marketing works here, so I use it.  If it didn't, I wouldn't give it a second thought.

I still have open house visitors tell me they saw it advertised in the newspaper.  A valuable tool?   Hmm -- that's subjective but marketing is about consistency so I use print as part of an overall strategy.

In our market the community newspapers have disappeared. The alternative to advertise in The Washington Post is very expensive. 

Post cards and emails may be a more effective use of marketing funds.

Our local print advertising is hit and miss. It is stronger than in many parts of the country though.

I stopped advertising in newspapers 10 years ago...expensive, and not as good as online ads.

From experience this has not helped me.