Special offer

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Ambassador
1,456,919
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Broker Opens (or any Opens) haven't been well received in my area in many years (+5 at least)  Since the introduction of vtours and fabulous photos, agents just don't make the effort to even preview these days.   I always feel sorry for a newer agent who thinks they've hit on the latest thing and organize a wine & cheese  or catered affair and then no one shows up.  I, at least, RSVP to let them know not to expect me.

Jan 21, 2016 03:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,624,653
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

No, nothing special, usually appetizers, drinks, and a big smile ( unless it is a distressed sale). 

Jan 21, 2016 06:55 PM
Rainmaker
846,475
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Yes and yes-cater fab lunches

Jan 21, 2016 08:30 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,308
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

NO, when I did it made no difference

Jan 21, 2016 07:24 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,013
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Broker open house are not well attended in our area. It is a lot of expense and preparation to have a dozen or so agents turn out.

Jan 21, 2016 04:01 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,132
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Yes.  Nothing much different other than I also advertise it as a public open house.  I've sold two so far doing this.

Jan 21, 2016 03:21 AM
Rainmaker
1,728,156
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

This all depends on the sellers' preferences. We always offer, but few seem willing to open their homes to any sort of open house. Perhaps they know how strong the market really is at this moment in time.

Jan 21, 2016 03:21 AM
Rainmaker
5,112,421
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I don't hold brokeropen houses (they are not well attended in our area), so new tips and tricks. Sorry, Jeff.

Jan 21, 2016 09:27 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Broker opens in this area are not very well attended. Thank you for your question Jeff Dowler CRS .

Jan 21, 2016 05:42 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,773
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Jeff Dowler CRS not a big fan of it. Last couple of listing I did NOT have broker's tour.

Though it is still popular in our area.

Jan 21, 2016 01:13 PM
Ambassador
3,167,614
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

we have a monthly "realtor ramble" that is 20 broker opens.  I put some (not all) of my listings on when they are new. I generally have a survey and give away a gift card via random drawing of those who fill our a survey.

Jan 21, 2016 01:02 PM
Ambassador
3,741,645
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

I do, and there is food.  Hang your pork chop in the window, and they will come!

Jan 21, 2016 10:41 AM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

We have a broker property tour once a week for new listings. This works great and we get to see something like 5 to 7 listings in about two hours. It saves a lot of time. 

Jan 21, 2016 09:55 AM
Rainmaker
2,191,738
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

I have a Barbecue caterer and feed them well.

Jan 21, 2016 08:41 AM
Rainmaker
2,375,683
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

They don't work here any more - some sellers expect them and that is fine but they don't work. 

Jan 21, 2016 07:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,846,901
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I no longer do because agents do not show up. We've tried gas cards, food, lottery cards, bottles of wine & still get bad turnout.

Jan 21, 2016 05:28 AM
Rainer
321,564
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Trinity Premier Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

In our area you will find 3-7 brokers open usually on a Tuesday. Larger more expensive homes or properties that have been completely renovated. It's an opportunity to view homes that might not be seen otherwise.  

Jan 21, 2016 05:12 AM
Rainmaker
5,238,990
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Broker open houses work relatively well in my area. I have been in areas where they did not!

Jan 21, 2016 04:39 AM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

Sometimes I do, and I offer food and/or a gas card.  I like the input I get from other agents when I do them.

Jan 21, 2016 03:44 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,328
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

we're in an extreme seller's market with 1 month of resale inventory remaining.... our first showings start with an open house....the home will be packed and the offers will flow freely.... we've seen prices go tens of thousands over list....

Jan 21, 2016 03:34 AM
Rainmaker
617,935
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Jeff,
Except for a few luxury listings they are rarely done here. In Houston, the bill for catered food, wine and door prizes ($100 gift cards) just got carried away.

Jan 21, 2016 03:24 AM
Rainmaker
5,877,319
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Broker opens do not go over well here, so many are too busy.  If we have a buyer for the property, we will either preview or show it.  

Jan 22, 2016 11:34 PM
Rainmaker
1,506,013
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Not usually, only on higher end listings.  I bring food, that gets people to show up out here.  It's not so much a broker's open as a "feed your fellow realtor" event.

Jan 22, 2016 07:46 AM
Rainmaker
4,582,098
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I treat broker open houses/caravans as another marketing opportunity to the public since some agents feel that they are not necessary.   It is quite common in our area for the public to attend broker caravans.   

Jan 21, 2016 09:38 PM
Rainmaker
4,900,966
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I have in the past when it was more of a buyers market.

Jan 21, 2016 09:31 PM
Rainmaker
902,038
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Broker open houses are conducted very differently in the various towns in my community. Responses are not always the best, it often takes special "lures" such as lunches, raffles, etc. If successful, it's a good way to showcase a new listing, good visisbility among agents.

Jan 21, 2016 07:48 PM
Rainer
80,653
Linda Guess
Keller Williams Tri-Lakes Branson, MO - Branson, MO
Branson area real estate sales.

We serve food.  That helps attract agents.

Jan 21, 2016 01:37 PM
Ambassador
6,417,184
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

We have a lot of success with opens for our rentals, one unique thing we do is stay open long hours and make them all schedule an appointment ahead of time, each 20 minutes apart.

Jan 21, 2016 11:16 AM
Ambassador
3,383,384
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I don't see the value in doing them. I have no problem being up front with a seller about price and condition.  And just like buyers, agents can see the pics online.  Not sure why we still do them.

Jan 21, 2016 09:54 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

A BROKERS open house.

#1. Critical mass. If there are not additional homes hosting a Brokers Open, there will be MUCH Less (zero) incentive to attend.

#2. If the real estate is so incredibly unique that it is a DESTINATION then critical mass is not as important.

#3. Assess your message distribution channels. Chat with another agent who recently hosted a BO. Inquire regarding the turn out and the channels they used. If you will be using the same resources, you are forewarned.

#4. Seed the event so your NEXT BO will be well attended. What I mean is, besides eating lunch, what of benefit will they walk away with? Buying colorful rocks and shiny things and drawing from the hat is not what I refer to, but things of real value although perhaps, not tangible.

What is you could provide them with 27 digital "Call to Actions" they can edit?

What if you could provide them a white paper on the science of creating good subject lines on email?

What if you could share with them ten minutes regarding the sociology of placements in video?

What if you could chat about Sugar CRM and the sharing economy and how these two work together?

What if you could introduce them to Dynofresh? 

The idea will make you think of the imagine of herding chickens, but don't forget....FOOD is the anchor and when they are eating the are not talking.

Make it of value and they instruct you, "Let me know when you have your next BO."

 

Jan 21, 2016 04:26 AM