DIRECTORY OF OUR CUSTOMERS' OPEN HOUSES

HISTORY OF OPEN HOUSES

Technology has dramatically changed the role of the Open House.  Before the Internet, open houses were a great way for buyer's to view properties, as they didn't have many opportunities other than setting up a tour with an agent.  Agents alone had access to listing data, and they had much less information than is available today.

Today, our customers have a 24/7 virtual open house on our site, in the multiple listing service database as well as on many real estate websites.  The Public can see addresses, maps, multiple photos, descriptions and more.  When a potential buyer is intrigued enough to take a physical look at the property, they can contact the seller directly (on our site) or through real estate agents (on their sites). 

This has changed the nature of open houses.  These days, open houses are more often than not just opportunities for real estate agents to promote their services.  Houses are rarely sold through open houses, but agents sometimes meet prospective buyers whom they can represent in the purchase of another property.

That doesn't mean it is bad to have open houses.  Exposure can't hurt, and you might get helpful feedback from visitors.  If you would like to hold an open house, the best way to promote it is simply to put a sign in front of the house when it is open.  There are several ways we can help.

1. We can place a note on your display on our website.  This will create an "Open House" box on the listing details, and also place you in a searchable Open House Directory.  Please email us with your schedule at least 3 days ahead of time to ensure we can complete the process well in advance of your event.

2. If a person with an Active real estate license will host the event, we can mark the Open House field in the NWMLS database, where agents will see it.  If a person with a license is not available, the NWMLS does not permit the Open House field to be used.  Open houses are not permitted in the marketing remarks that display on public real estate websites.

3. If you would like to use Open House signs, you may use ours as long as you comply with your local sign ordinances.  More information is available on our Signs page.

HELPFUL HINTS ABOUT OPEN HOUSES

You can have the following useful information available for your visitors to review:

Seller Disclosure Statement — If you have completed your Seller Disclosure Statement, it may be helpful to let prospective buyers and agents review it.  You can give them full disclosure about property conditions now so you don't waste time or have a deal fall apart down the road.  In most cases you are required to provide this form to your buyer within 5 days of the mutual acceptance of a purchase and sale agreement.

Preliminary Title Report — Visitors may have questions about neighborhood covenants, liens, legal descriptions, easements and other items one can find in a title report.  To avoid surprises during the closing process, and to obtain the legal description necessary to write the purchase and sale agreement, it is a good idea to work with a title company in advance.

Sign In Sheet — Gather contact information from your visitors so you can follow up to get feedback and answer questions.  This is also a good security measure so you will know who has been in your house.

Real Estate Napkin — By having a purchase and sale agreement available, you may be able to sit down and write up a contract on the spot.  Agents already have their purchase and sale agreements, but what about buyers who are not represented by an agent?  Our Real Estate Napkin can help.  Remember to consult with a real estate attorney before signing any document.