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Why Open Houses Should Be Avoided
03 Nov 2023| Posted by: Dave Tidbold
When you think of selling a home, a public open house just seems like part of the deal. Most sellers are convinced by the agent that it is a necessity.
Agents claim that an open house will invite competition and save you time by only opening your home once a week. But most of these public open house theories are in fact perpetuated by real estate agents.
WHY AGENTS PUSH OPEN HOUSES
Real Estate agents push this archaic marketing activity for essentially four reasons:
- The number one reason is to meet other potential home sellers who stop by to check out the competition. Therefore, your home is used to help agents get more listings.
- To meet potential buyers for other properties.
- To look like they are doing something to sell your home.
- To avoid having to do inspections at odd times or after hours.
WHY OPEN HOUSES SHOULD BE AVOIDED
- They have restrictive inspection times.
- Buyers feel rushed and not relaxed.
- The agents do not demonstrate the necessary property features.
- Your contents are not insured during or after the public open house.
- Too many people in your house at once can make it seem small.
Public open houses are nothing more than a lead generating activity for lazy agents. Restrictive viewing times could cost you a sale.
PRIVATE ONE-ON-ONE INSPECTIONS ARE THE BEST AND SAFEST WAY TO SELL
Scheduling private one-on-one inspections is the best and safest method for conducting property inspections. This method of inspection has the following six benefits for the home seller, buyer and agent:
- Buyers prefer flexible inspection times.
- Buyers prefer not to be rushed. They need to have time to envision themselves in the home.
- Buyers are pre-qualified to their affordability and suitability of the property.
- Agents can focus on the real needs of the buyers and engage the buyers in conversation at the property.
- The agent's knowledge of the buyers will aid the agent in negotiating the buyer's highest price.
- Genuine feedback from genuine buyers can be passed onto the sellers.
Home buyers prefer a private one-on-one inspection before making one of life's biggest financial decisions.
The benefits in favour of more personalised private house inspections are obvious, and home sellers should make a stand against the archaic public open house method of sale.
Remember, if you sell with us you will be safe. We offer you our SMARTRE SALE Strategy which includes a NO SALE, NO CHARGE service with ZERO upfront advertising costs, and of course a written SERVICE GUARANTEE.
