| Historically speaking one of the most | | | | the area know that your home is |
| visible aspects of selling a home is the | | | | available and that you are open to them |
| open house. There has been a lot of talk | | | | bringing their customers in to have a |
| lately in the real estate world about | | | | look. This is a huge market and one that |
| the validity of open houses as many who | | | | should not be overlooked. Usually agents |
| come to these events are not qualified | | | | are working with qualified buyers who |
| buyers, rather they are just people who | | | | are serious about purchasing a home and |
| want to look around the home. But this | | | | any interested buyers are good buyers. |
| has always been a reality of open houses | | | | Secondly, there is the good old |
| and yet they continue to be held. One | | | | "everyone welcome" open house. Now the |
| might think that there is some actual | | | | main thing to remember here is that it |
| value to them. Let's differentiate | | | | is unlikely that you will see a lot of |
| between the two major kinds of open | | | | qualified buyers at an open house. What |
| houses that one can hold and how you can | | | | it does do is help to spread the word |
| pull them off if you are representing | | | | about your home sale. People that come |
| your own home and not engaging the | | | | and see the home may know people who are |
| services of a real estate agent. | | | | looking for a home and word of mouth is |
| The first kind of open house is one that | | | | a powerful thing. In preparing your home |
| is typically held by a listing agent | | | | for an open house, make sure that your |
| before or shortly after a home is | | | | neighbors know about the event and have |
| listed. This is also one that you will | | | | a emergency plan ready to go if |
| want to consider if selling your home | | | | necessary. There are some unscrupulous |
| yourself. Hold an open house for the | | | | individuals who prey on FSBO open houses |
| area's real estate agents. Call their | | | | so be careful about who you let in and |
| offices and let them know that you are | | | | only show the home to 1 group at a time. |
| interested in holding an "agents only" | | | | After all your safety is paramount. |
| open house. This is to let the agents in | | | | |