My friend is hosting a “Realtor” open house tomorrow to bring his listing to the attention of agents in our office.  It’s been on the market for just over 150 days now and is listed at just under $270,000.  The house is truly a beauty with hardwood throughout, five bedrooms, and three bathrooms.

To get agents to attend, he’s feeding them.  I’d like to say that most of us would go anyway to show support for our colleague, but sadly this isn’t true.  When there’s no food, about three agents attend (me and two others).  However when there’s food, attendance goes up.  The last Realtor open house I went to had lasagna, salad, and a dessert that is long forgotten, and about eight agents came.

The goal of the listing agent is not only get the attention of other agents, but to also satisfy the sellers that he is doing everything he can to sell.  In my years of real estate, I have seen agents bring their buyers to houses once they toured an open house - I did that for one of my own buyers.  This time, however, I’m not currently working with anyone in that price range, so can’t make any promises.  I hope other agents can help him out, though.

Do you think “Open” Houses are important if you’re selling?  If you’re buying, do you go to open houses?