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Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager (American West Realty and Management)

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Rainmaker
4,572,439
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Yes I have and it involves a lot of planning and preparation.  It certainly seems as if you put in the effort to make an open house event successful -- maybe it's your market, timing or some other factor.  I find the best open houses for me are "first time open" as well as marketing "broker caravans" to the public.    

PS Don't discount those neighbors or lookie-loos, I have been "hired" by more than a couple to sell their properties.   

May 18, 2017 07:05 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

from our open houses, we secure more listings, some buyers and we occasionally sell the home we hold open.... yes..many different success stories from it....but it needs to be marketed properly.... I spend alot of time marketing them every week....

May 18, 2017 05:42 AM
Rainmaker
1,726,096
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Definitely not only in securing buyers or other homes, but have sold several of the open houses. Nothing like getting paid on both sides of the transaction!

May 18, 2017 05:34 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Absolutely.  We intentionally do not do them - and intentionally don't waste our time!! 

May 18, 2017 05:27 AM
Ambassador
5,049,477
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

It's rare, unless success is having a big turnout. I have sold a couple of homes, not the target one, from an OH. And we bought a home at a OH years ago.

May 18, 2017 05:21 AM
Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

Times have changed. Years ago there was no internet with tons of photos and virtual tours, no electronic lockboxes for easy and secure access, no buyers agents worki g diligently to represent their clients. Open houses were useful and had a purpose for getting people in the door and giving buyers the opportunity to see the home. Now they are antiquated and done to appease sellers that think they must be done or for agents to grab new unrepresented buyers. The purpose of open houses is different than what it once was. We don't do them and explain to sellers why. -Kasey

May 18, 2017 08:18 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

I don't do open houses.

May 18, 2017 06:04 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Nathan,

I agree with Michael Jacobs .  Here is Santa Barbara, they work well.  A

May 18, 2017 01:56 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Yes, very successful!

May 18, 2017 12:50 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Never did so I quit doing them.

May 18, 2017 12:04 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

It really depends.  I've had some open houses where one week it was "deader than Vaudville" and the next week it was crazy... on the same house!  I've had open houses where they were sold AT THE OPEN HOUSE!  I've picked up buyers and sellers.

 

In my market they still work.  Really depends on what your definition of success is too.  Last open house I have several interested parties through on a 1.2m property.  A couple almost bought it, picked one up as a client.  Had 2-3 groups of people in the house at all times, except for a brief quiet from 230-3.

May 18, 2017 10:51 AM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Never did which is why I don't do them anymore

May 18, 2017 09:50 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

When I did them ... yes I did. I managed to earn the business of many buyers, many who already were "working" with an agent. It was always hands off for me. I never took buyers information unless I promised to send them something. Buyers came to me. They took my card, called and emailed me asking if I would represent them. 

May 18, 2017 07:38 AM
Rainmaker
472,114
JoAnn Moore
The Mortgage Market of Delaware - Georgetown, DE
Home Loans in Delaware

Sometimes those neighbors let their friends know about a home for sale in their community. 

I am a mortgage broker so from my perspective, engage with a mortgage lender and do a joint mailing to the surrounding area plus offer a couple of small doorprizes; $10 gift cards. Plus have them promote on social media as well. 

Or, you could have an hour at the beginning of the time period you are holding the open house for the neighbors and the rest of the time for the public. 

May 18, 2017 07:28 AM
Rainmaker
4,883,260
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

They can be a success.  How do you follow up with the fewer than 10 who do attend?

May 18, 2017 05:15 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Not really, but some agents in our office get some decent results. Depends on location and price usually.

May 18, 2017 05:12 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Yes, I have success with Open Houses.

However, that success is determined by the purpose of the Open House.

For example, if the PURPOSE is, 'Get More Listings," I must create and place the appropriate self selection materials, and make sure this is the 1st open house. The team must be well prepared to managne those who self select.

If the open house has no purpose and therefore no structure, the end result is spending time. The measure of a successful open house is not the number of attendees but in the number who self-select.

May 18, 2017 05:10 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,431
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I have not held an open house in many years.

May 18, 2017 05:09 AM
Rainmaker
5,217,183
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Sometimes yes and sometimes no! Not a fan, but they do work in some areas.

May 18, 2017 05:04 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Early in my career but haven't done them in a long time.

May 18, 2017 05:01 AM
Rainmaker
2,363,302
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I agree that you don't get great turn out but I have sold several homes to people I met from open houses - not necessarily the open house but other houses. 

May 18, 2017 05:00 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Not recently.

May 22, 2017 03:39 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,565
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I never have.   But, right now in Denver if you have an open house, there are WAY too many people in one house to be able to SEE it.

May 20, 2017 03:04 PM
Rainmaker
4,936,716
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Get signs up 5 days in advance, have a advance open house and invite the neighbors, do a door drop with the neighbors to tell them about it.

 

May 19, 2017 10:49 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Nathan Gesner - last few of my listings are sold at open house - albeit they have been working with other agents...

May 18, 2017 10:01 PM
Ambassador
5,230,130
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I think it all depends upon location - some work, some don't!

May 18, 2017 09:40 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Even if only neighbors come I use the opportunity to get business from them and usually do.

May 18, 2017 08:16 PM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I haven't had any success with open houses in several years.

May 18, 2017 05:15 PM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

all you need is one buyer or seller lead

May 18, 2017 04:39 PM
Ambassador
3,587,960
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Depends. We only hold them open if they are easy to get to and brand new on the market. And with that said, houses sell so fast here that even getting to the point to hold an open house is rare. Gone! Sold!

May 18, 2017 04:13 PM
Ambassador
2,436,470
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

In my area, we don't get a lot of people who attend open houses. I did an open house a week ago and only had two separate people/couples attend. I haven't been able to contact one of them, but I helped the other one get an accepted offer on a different home yesterday. So I wasn't successful in getting a lot of people in the door nor with selling the actual listed house at the open house. I was successful in helping one of the attendees find the right place.

May 18, 2017 12:23 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Nathan Gesner No, because I don't do them. I think now you know why.

May 18, 2017 09:10 AM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

     The only opens I will do these days is a "grand opening", when it comes on the market for sale.  Invite the neighbors, open house notice in MLS, etc.

May 18, 2017 07:33 AM
Ambassador
2,178,703
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

In the early days, I did them and they were effective in selling through the Opens.  Times have changed.  If I was in the business now, don't think I'd do them for many reasons.  With drones, virtual tours and professional photos., buyer prospects don't need to go to Open Houses to know if they are interested in a home.   If they ARE interested, they should schedule a private showing.  I know many people go to Open Houses for entertainment.  A waste of an agent's time.   Of course, there is always the argument of picking up prospective buyers from Open Houses.  

May 18, 2017 07:09 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,273
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Yes...but in a sellers market, whats the point?

May 18, 2017 06:58 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

Nope, doesn't work for me very well - I have other means of getting buyer leads since that's all an OH is good for these days - IMO of course

May 18, 2017 06:22 AM
Rainmaker
851,242
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

Sold the house?  Once.   

Connected with someone who became a client that ended up closing a transaction? I can only think of one there too.

I delegate this event if a seller REALLY wants an open.  :0

 

May 18, 2017 06:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,833
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Broker Caravan, yes.

Open to the public, no. Stopped doing them 10 years ago.

May 18, 2017 06:01 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

The goal of most open houses is not to sell the home, but attract new clients. In this day and age, if someone wants to look at a home they simply call and request it

May 18, 2017 05:39 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Some, on occasion.

May 18, 2017 05:34 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

In 25 years never sold the home being held open and it didn't matter how much preparation went into the open hosue... stopped doing these years ago. 

May 18, 2017 05:21 AM