Realtor Says Open Houses Do Not Work
DEAR BOB: As a Realtor for 19 years, I do not agree with your comment that a listing agent who refuses to hold open houses is lazy. A more appropriate response would have been for the home seller to ask that agent to prove by his success record he can sell property of that type without open houses. I have sold hundreds of condos and I never hold open houses. I feel they are an imposition on the neighbors, especially within gated communities. I work with clients who are often elderly widows, single women, and mothers with newborns. These clients are rarely comfortable with public open houses. But I always conduct office and MLS (multiple listing service) tours. Then I advertise like crazy on the Internet and in print media. Your response? –Beth B.
DEAR BETH: Congratulations if you are successful without open houses, especially in a buyer’s market. As a real estate broker for 39 years, I’ve held my share of open houses. We agree they don’t always work. But they work often enough — especially to meet prospective buyers and sellers for other properties — to make them worthwhile. Unless you have a more profitable use for your Saturday and Sunday afternoons, give open houses a try.