I read a blog this morning on Trulia and then again picked it up on Jay Thompson’s Blog. Seems a buyer was concerned the agents he had been interviewing do not do open houses. The debate that ensued was quite entertaining from an Agent’s point of view.
Outside of the obvious differences of opinion on the “open house theory”, it never ceases to amaze me how a supposed Real Estate “PROFESSIONAL” can act so UNPROFESSIONAL as to bash a colleague with comments like “an agent who does not sit opens is in my opinion lazy”
I once sold one of my listings while I was standing at the pump filling my car with gas. The couple behind me noticed my 1CASA4U license plate and told me they were looking for a home. After a short conversation I mentioned that I had a home listed that might fit the bill.
No, I’m not an idiot…I didn’t have them follow me to the home, but instead they followed me back to my office where they were prequalified etc.
Long story made short they did buy the home.
On the theory that 2% of homes might just sell at an open house…I guess we could all just start just hanging out at the gas pumps with our listing flyers. Makes about as much sense.
What sellers have to understand (as well as some agents) is times are changing. Some activities to sell a home are antiquated and not a good use of time. Doesn’t mean they don’t ever work…
Before the internet, open houses were a great way to give a home visibility. Time marches on and communication mediums improve. TV antennas on the roof worked just fine too, until Satellite & Cable expanded the viewing area. Doesn’t mean you can’t have an antenna on your roof. Oh wait…those aren’t going to work much longer either. Yes, time marches on and technology keeps getting faster. We just have to keep up…kicking and screaming… we just have to keep up.
