This information, about Open Houses, is for all the sellers out there... just in case you want to know the truth:

1)  Realtors hold an open house on your property to find Buyers.

2)  The 1st showing of your home is not inside it, it's online - Buyers view all the online pictures & eliminate the homes they're not interested in.

3)  "Future sellers" use open houses to be very secretive about interviewing potential listing agents.  This is an easy way to narrow down the possibilities & meet many agents in person.  In the 1990's I sat an open house and was the chosen Realtor by the Village Manager of Barrington, IL, to list their home.  They met me at the open house, but they were "future sellers."

4)  The chance of a Realtor selling that specific home [they are holding open] by sitting an open house, is rare.  In an urban environment, it could be more likely though.  My 2nd month in the business I sold a home I was holding open for another agent, but that was in 1992 & everything has changed.

5)  When I had my very own place for sale in Lincoln Park/Chicago, IL, I held a Sunday open house, and gained a listing in the West Loop @ 1000 West Adams, from those people coming to my open house.

In this economic environment, it is all about the asking price & of course you must have awesome online marketing to exposure your home to the greatest number of potential Buyers.  I hope that clears up any confusion.

Carol Best | Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

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