Open Houses

I mentioned the other day that I don't read my local rag's property section. Well I still don't, but I did read someone elses instead.

I was surprised to find a couple of articles on the back page that sparked my interest. One of which was promoting an open house that weekend. What a great piece of free marketing, here was an agent with all his details, the property he was selling with big pictures, full descriptions. The open house gives the agent the ability to collect punters details, promote other similar property and generally push his good name. I didn't check, but he can also market this online. Indeed, why not set up a microsite for that house or all open houses he promotes?!

Not only does this help the agent, but it is also very proactive in selling the house. If this chap was my agent I would be most impressed. Having spent a little time in Australia, open houses are common place over there and I have often wondered why they are not more popular in the UK. Open houses in Australia are quite often followed by auctions, the agents lay on food and take details from all that attend. Agents are judged on the spread they put out and many people turn out just for a beer and a barbie. Of course, this does not matter as the agent is making some valuable marketing leads and more often than not there are enough people in attendance who are actually interested in the property. This works for developers too.

Ok, perhaps beer wouldn't work in the UK, but you get the idea. Agents are missing a trick and the papers are crying out for content so give them some, they can't fill the pages with adverts!