Are Open Houses a Waste of Sellers’ Time?

Many real estate agents are convinced that open houses do little to sell homes, attracting only nosy neighbors, uncommitted buyers, and even thieves; so they are focusing their efforts instead on Internet marketing. Doug Miller — executive director of Consumer Advocates in American Real Estate — says brokers’ marketing plans should include Realtor.com, Zillow.com, Trulia.com, and other popular real estate websites where buyers generally begin their searches. Agents who choose to continue hosting open houses, meanwhile, should avoid scheduling them during the holidays or popular sporting events; limit the number of open houses; encourage sellers to remove their valuables; have enough agents or staff on hand to monitor visitors; ensure the home is de-cluttered and well-lit; and attract attention by hanging the sign five days before the event. | Read More