Open house

sugarwalsh

Hi all, just wondering whether anyone has held an open day for viewing their property before?
We are selling our house privately and have had a few viewings. 99 people have looked at our details on the internet and we have been in the local paper for the last 4 weeks. I am expecting a baby in 5 weeks so we are stepping down the marketing until the baby is born. However, as the house is currently looking great and we really need an extra bedroom asap, we are keen to have one last push at selling it.
I intend to have a 3 hour period next saturday for anyone to view and before I advertise it I wondered what people think of the idea and if anyone has any tips. If you have ever attended an open viewing day I would be really glad of any pointers.
Many thanks
Sugar

oneandonlyboy

Hi,

I'm looking to buy at the moment, and seems most of the EA's around my area are doing open days. Been to one and going to another next Saturday. I think there a good idea, but i would say try and book 15minutes for each viewing as the first one we had only used 5 minutes per booking:(

Doozergirl

I'm not sure that they really work. If someone wanted to view your house, they just would. I just question the number of serious buyers that would turn up compared to people just being nosey

It's not something that I've ever been keen to do.

sugarwalsh

Thanks.
Oneandonlyboy, do you have to book in advance? I was always under the impression you just turn up! Theu are not used in this area so a little unfamiliar!
Doozergirl - I always try and think that if anyone comes round they are potential buyers. Even if they don't intend to purchase themselves they may just know someone who does. Or they may fall in love with the house and decide to move. I know, I am a fool, but I am trying to give good 'customer service' as my house is something to sell!
Or is that just insane?????
Sugar

RecoveringAlcoholic

RecoveringAlcoholic wrote: »

Are you bored at weekends?

Fed up with the same old tat at car boot sales?

Fire up your SatNav and spend the weekend visiting other peoples homes.

With luck you will not have to buy any food for the weekend as some offer free nibbles and drinks.

..........................

sugarwalsh

MMMmm, thanks, we wont be offering nibbles. That would be a mugs game, surely.

Sammy85_2

If you do hold an open day dont just let people wander round on their own.

Whilst you may get some genuinely interested people and will definatley get nosey people just looking for a snoop you may also attract opportunist thiefs. Anything that looks of value thats easily pocketed will be a target, and dont forget they could just look to see whether your telly or sound system is worth coming back for later! Better to rob a house you've looked around than a random one!


Good Luck

PasturesNew

To make an Open Day work, you have to get your estate agent fully behind you. Let them know that you're gearing up for it and motivate them to getting you some actual bookings on the day by phoning through all their contacts and anybody who has already seen it.

If they can get bookings spread across the time, then anybody passing by can drop in and you shouldn't get overloaded then empty.

You won't know how it would have gone unless you try and as you've siad, this is your one last push before giving birth ... so to speak!

So, speak to your estate agent and see how much REAL interest they think they can drum up. If you just hold an Open Day without the EA behind you, without them having done the warm-calling their list, then you're unlikely to get a turn out.

Good luck!

PasturesNew

sugarwalsh wrote: »

MMMmm, thanks, we wont be offering nibbles. That would be a mugs game, surely.

Christian, the bloke on the TV who presents Open House, ALWAYS has nibbles. I doubt it's because he fancies a nibble.
What he tends to get them to do is: coffee, orange juice, champagne (but then he has just titfered the house about and the TV company are paying no doubt), then some local produce. So cheese on sticks would be some local cheese on sticks. Doesn't seem to ever be anything posh or varied, just one dish of finger food.

Maybe the strategy behind it is: if people have something in their hand, they're more likely to feel welcome/at home and linger... with nothing in your hand it's easier to scarper.

sugarwalsh

Thanks all. We are selling the house ourselves, so there is only us to blame if no one turns up! Have updated websites with info about the open house and asked the local paper to update our advert to include details.
I understand about the nibbles now... I bake a mean muffin, so perhaps I will do that. Good smell and if all else fails the kids can have them in their lunch boxes!
Good advice about theives too, thanks Sammy!