I've Got Second Thoughts Thanks to Larry Bird
- I can't think of a single buyer that bought a listing because of an open house in 2010.
- I can't think of a single buyer I met at an open house and worked with to a closed transaction in 2010.
- I can't think of a single neighbor or other drop in at an open house that listed their home with me in 2010.
So recently, in my 2011 plan I decided not to do open houses. I was thinking that I can always find another agent in my office to hold my listings open. If I get all of my listings priced exactly right, they will sell the first week anyway. And I have lots of other things I could be doing on Sundays.
But then I caught part of a Celtic's game on TV. I don't know about you but when I see parquet flooring, when I see the Celtics on TV, I think of Robert Parish, Danny Ainge, Kevin McHale and Larry Bird. 1980's NBA basketball. Sure, you've got your favorites and I respect that. But...
I remember watching Larry Bird in the finals of the NCAA tournament in the late 70's and one interviewer caught him pre-game or post game practicing left handed shots. The interviewer asked him why? And Larry told him it was because he was no good at shooting left handed. Years later, as a pro, Larry told his team mates he was going to take all of his shots left handed in a game. He didn't, but he got more than 20 of his 47 points left handed.
The point is, maybe my open house skills are rusty. Maybe I need to practice them some more and find a way to make them work in the current economy. So I'm going to add open houses back into my 2011 business plan. I'm going to put a little more thought into the advertising and the presentation. I'm going to meet some interesting people and convert them into clients. 2011 is going to be a good year.
Glenn Roberts, SRES*
Lake and Company Real Estate
206-524-3665
Seattle Residential ~ I Do That
Licensed broker since 1985 offering spectacular service to buyers and sellers in greater Seattle, with particular interest in Green Lake, Ballard, Phinney Ridge, Wallingford, Ravenna, Bryant, View Ridge, Roosevelt and the University District.
*Senior Real Estate Specialist
Referrals from past clients and other agents always make me smile.
Glenn Roberts | Lake and Co Real estate on Facebook
