Laura Coffey\’s Blog

There are many things to consider when touring a home when you first arrive at an Open House. Some things you can tell even before you enter the home. I guess it depends on how you came across this Open House to begin with.

If you found the property on the Internet like Realtor.com then you may be unfamiliar with the location. The most important thing to remember is location, location, location. While driving to the Open House make sure you are observing the neighborhood. You can always make cosmetic changes to home but you can’t pick it up and move it. (or at least why would you want to). If you are following signs you probably are familiar with the area and the neighborhood. I would always take though of the neighbors on either side.

So with keeping that in mind you should always have a list of “must haves” when searching for property. What is it that you can not live without when buying a house? Do you absolutely have to have a pool or a huge family room? Are you willing to paint even though you prefer “move in ready”? Having a list with you will help you go through the home being able to check off items that are simply a must in your new home.

A lot of times buyers see a home at first and emotionally fall in love with it and forget to look for things that are a necessary must to them. Such as  walk in  closets or extra storage, multiple outlets in the kitchen, a large backyard, etc. Seeing a pretty home sometimes makes buyers forget about what’s really important to them. That’s why a “must list” is good to have.

When you are looking at the home to be afraid to open kitchen cabinets or closet doors. Home owners know this will happen and you shouldn’t be shy about it. Look under the kitchen sink, see if you see anything dripping or better yet how clean does it look? Looking at these areas is not unethical when buying a home. Ofcourse you don’t want to open any furniture drawers or T.V. cabinets because that has nothing to do with the home. But checking whether or not the closet is a walk in is expected, don’t be shy.

When walking around the home is best to determine if the “bones” of the house work for you. Does it have enough bedrooms? Does it have that large family room you are looking for? Replacing carpet, paint, or putting granite in can all be considered into the price you want to offer and done after close. Having to remove a wall or add a pool are all really expensive if you are thinking of having to do those things once you move in.

Don’t be afraid to ask a Realtor lots of questions about the property that’s what they are there for. You won’t be wasting our time

10 Tips to Holding a Successful Open House

1. Place the Open House on Realtor.com

The first thing you want to do when you decide to hold an open house is place an announcement on Realtor.com. If you are a featured agent you can do this in your edit listings section. If you are not a featured agent, shame on you! For only a few hundred dollars a year it will magnify your business.

2. Door Knock the Neighborhood

Here in Santa Clarita there is many areas where solicitation is not allowed. However if you are just inviting people to an open house, no harm, no foul. I have a lender that will make postcards for me and on the postcard there is a free drawing that one person who visits my Open House will receive a 4 hour limousine ride which is provided by my lender. It gets traffic into the Open House and impresses possible up and coming sellers

3. Preview Property in the Area

Any Realtor knows that  nine times out of ten the customer coming through the Open House is not going to buy that particular house. You need to know and see other properties that are less expensive and more expensive and/or larger than home you hold open.

4. Proper Sign Placement

The more Open House signs you have the better. I recommend Open House signs that have your name or your web-site on them. It’s great advertising even if someone doesn’t come to your Open House your name is on busy street corners for hours. Never cut short of heavy sign placement. If you are new and are holding an Open House for another agent choose location wisely. Next to freeways and high traffic areas are always best.

5. Dress Professionally

I actually got an interview to sell a home (which I listed) because she liked how professional I looked. Agents today feel they need to dress casual and fit in like a friend with their clients. I completely disagree with this concept. First impression is everything and you never get a second first impression. It’s very important to keep on a professional level. If you stand in front of lawyer, doctor, accountant and have to choose one by looks, are you choosing the one in khakis/ jeans or the one in the suit? People don’t trust their friends with their hugest investment as much as a professional. Not to mention friends always want special favors.

6. Bring Your Lap Top

If you have a lap top you need to bring it to the Open House and set it up. You should have your MLS up and running on it. That way you can pull any current actives someone may be looking for to tell them about it and set up an appointment for a later time to show. Also if you have market snap shot it’s a great tool to set up buyers and sellers on. Either to keep current on the market in case they want to sell or get property info. You can also set buyers up on an email listings campaigne before your competition does once they leave your Open House.

7, Bring Snacks or Food.

Usually I experience not to many people actually eat anything but in summer time water is huge. You have to remember that an Open House isn’t always about getting buyers but also impressing possible future sellers in the neighborhood.

8. Getting Contact info

I always have a sign in sheet. I greet people at the door and welcome them. I tell them “Hi how are you today?” “All I need you to do is sign in and I will give you a flier and you can help yourself” I guide them to the sign in book and stand there, quiet, non invasive. DO NOT pounce on people when they get there. Another key thing I do is fill in one contact name completely full. It is amazing how many people will completely fill out the info if someone else has already done it. My Mom is the first contact with all info filled out on every book.

9. Open House Fliers

I always bring Open House fliers that my lender provides me. On one side it has information on the house. On the back side it has boxes which give different lending ways to purchase the home with payments. Like 10% down verses 20% down. FHA verses conventional. It’s a conversational piece and shows them options of affordability.

10. Bringing Extras

I have a brochure about “Laura Coffey”. I hand them out or sometimes staple them to the Open House flier. I want people to know why I’m better than the next guy. I have my ABR designation so I want buyers to know why that is important to them when choosing an agent. I have my CDPE designation in case a home owner in the neighborhood is in trouble financially I want them to know I could help. I also glue my card to maps of the area and pass them out to out of towners.

I started my business on Open Houses. For me it is the quickest way to find business if you do it right. I personally don’t like to cold call. I’m a warm and fuzzy type of agent. If you do an Open House at a good location and follow the above steps you are going to get some business. Prepare yourself on the current market and listings in the area, know the property that surrounds you. Don’t come off pushy. I always introduce than stand back. Once I’ve let them go though the open house in peace then I”ll chat. “So what did you think” If they don’t like it. “Well what exactly are looking for? I have everything listed right here on my computer, let’s take a look”. If you don’t have a computer to bring, bring a list of actives. Always follow up the next day with either a written note or a phone call saying thank you. I hope these tools will bring you more traffic and if anybody has any ideas I don’t have please share. Thank You and  Good Luck!

Laura Coffey, ABR, QSC, CDPE

Welcome to Laura Coffey’s Blog! This blog will provide you with valuable information, tips, and general insight into the real estate market in Santa Clarita.