Is an Open Day a good way to sell your house?

little_princess

Hi,

Our house has been on the market since the middle of December and despite a handful of viewers and a price reduction we have still not found a buyer.

While valuing the house a couple of estate agents mentioned an open day as a good way forward but other agents (including the one we chose) say that it their opinion they don't work!

I just wondered what other people's opinions and experiences of Open Days were?

Many thanks
LP

Mrs36

I think it depends on the type of house, personally. A niche property, perhaps, but not necessarily useful for a big standard 3 bed semi. I've always been a bit cynical, as it seems a nice easy way for a lazy EA to combine viewings.

Are you still getting regular viewings? If not I'm not sure how an open day would change that.

Mrs36

That should read bog standard 3 bed semi!

little_princess

Thank for you reply, we've only had a handful of viewings in the 11 weeks it's been marketed, I was just wondering what people's experiences had been, good or bad and if it had resulted in more viewings or even better...a sale

Bossypants

I think open days only really work when a market is especially hot, so that buyers will see the amount of other interest and panic bid (although this also means that they may bid more than they are willing/able to spend, which can cause headaches later in the process).

You could always post the link here and see if people can make any suggestions re price, presentation, etc?

little_princess

Thanks that's a good idea

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-77855408.html

Tiggermad

We did an open house when we sold our house 3 years ago. We chose to do that because we wanted to try and get all of the viewing over and done with at the same time (We had two rescue dogs at the time who were scared of strangers).

It was advertised by the estate agents for 3 weeks prior. We left the house at 9am and returned at 2pm. I think there were 9-10 people who came over 4 hours. We had the open house on a Saturday, second viewing on the Monday evening and an offer at full asking price on the Tuesday.

babyblade41

my thoughts and please it is only my opinion but I know it states 5 bedrooms but looks so cramped and tight for space .

I have just downsized from 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms and the house was huge .

Are you in a hurry to sell? I would reconfigure things and take some hefty furniture out.

I don't know about how good the price is and haven't done any comparisons (some will surely post those soon) but it wouldn't be 5 bedder for me

Just had a quick look which has sold and well below what your asking price is, not sure of the comparisons.. also the train track quite close by might be a bit of a downer

ognum

We had an open house on a flat we sold a year and a half ago in Southampton.

In my opinion it worked because
- the flat was empty and newly decorated
- it had not been on the market previously
- it wasn’t priced low to get people interested
- noviewings prior to openhouse.

We had about 15 viewers, 6 offers, went to final offers and sold for 10k above asking, IMO that was about the market price.

We did it this way as we had it as a rental it was empty and we needed to move it on. We choose a first time buyer, it was sold in six weeks

For us it worked but if it has already been seen by viewers and not new to the market then it’s a risk

little_princess

Thank you, the bedrooms are not huge but the downstairs is actually a decent size.

It's funny that you should mention this as the last viewers seemed suprised at the size of the rooms. Perhaps the EA's photo skills need improving!

HampshireH

Just a few things I would get your EA to do with your RM advert

* Take new photos - these are odd angles & don't sell the rooms

* Order them properly. I thought you had 3 lounged.

* No one needs to see inside a shower cubicle. What did they do to peer over the top, stand on a toilet?

* Lounge looks unlived in in 1st pic yet bedrooms look lived in. I would either dress the rooms or leave them minimal. Half and half doesn't really work.

I dislike open days because I think it is a lazy way to do things unless you have so many viewers you struggle to meet demand for available access.

Personally I find a viewing more personable. Rather than being one of a list of people the EA has to show an interest in