There are lots of ways to sell your Fort Lauderdale property. A good combination will inevitably sell your house. You want to implement a strategy that really works and doesn’t waste any time.
Is an open house right for your Fort Lauderdale home?
Open houses are awkward with strangers strolling your house. Is it worth the time and energy? We review the pros and cons of a Fort Lauderdale open house below so you can decide if it’s right for you.
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Pros of an Open House in Fort Lauderdale:
Additional Exposure
You won’t get a buyer from a Fort Lauderdale open house in all cases. More frequently, houses are sold via private showings. However, if you are trying to move on from property, let as many people know about the real estate sale as possible. Your annoying neighbor could wander in from off the street. Sure, they aren’t buying for themselves, but they might know someone who is. The idea of “picking” your neighbors will be appealing to many people. Having an open house is a great way to give your house exposure. More people seeing your home will never be a bad thing.
CNBC similarly reported “Open houses are a good way to get attention. There are ads in the paper, signs on the corner and sometimes even a few colorful balloons. They rarely, however, lead to a higher price or a quicker sale, according to officials at real estate brokerage Redfin.”
Showing Nice Environment for Buyers
An open house in Fort Lauderdale brings in all types of people. Some people simply love seeing homes. Others are ready to make an offer on the spot. But what most people love, is that they are typically able to walk around the house without any high-pressure sales tactics. This gives them the chance to get a feel for the property and the ability to imagine themselves living there. While a private showing is more one-on-one, an open house will allow buyers to look around at their own pace without feeling rushed.
Cons of an Open House in Fort Lauderdale:
Stressful
Home sellers most often don’t attend open houses. It can be awkward for everyone. You probably don’t want to watch people judging every detail of your home. Buyers do not want to feel as if they are intruding upon you, nor do they want to feel as if you are breathing down their necks. You will need to get the house spotless and then hit the road. You should plan to be away for a few hours. Cleaning, staging, leaving and wondering who is walking through your house can be very stressful!
Security Issues
The concept of a prospective buyer strolling through your Fort Lauderdale is scary! Thieves can take advantage during an open house. Ensure valuables are locked away. Put away all personal items, so nothing goes missing. People will also use an Open house as a chance to stake out the property. Most agents have an eye for these types, but some people choose to send a friend in to drop by to make sure everything is going well.
According to Max Real Estate Exposure, protect your home during an open house by hiring a realtor you can trust, asking the realtor to bring an assistant, letting neighbors know about the open house, hiding valuables, take pictures before and after, track visitors, and implement security cameras and alarms.
Dealing With Unqualified Buyers
An open house attracts anyone and everyone in the Fort Lauderdale area. People off the street walk in and throw out verbal offers. The problem is unqualified buyers waste everyone’s time.
Ask the following questions to find out if a buyer is qualified:
- Can you provide an earnest money deposit?
- Do you know your credit score?
- What’s your price range?
- Are you working with a realtor?
- Why are you looking for a new home?
- What’s your time frame?
Unnecessary Due to the Internet
In the era real estate website, the days of driving around Fort Lauderdale from one open house to are long over. Buyers research online and select options before contacting a real estate agent. Even Redfin’s mobile apps give buyers a plethora of homes to search through. They can even be alerted when new homes go on the market, or if a house they are eyeing has a change in price or goes into contract. Many of today’s buyers end up hiring a broker, getting access to the home on their schedule rather than during an open house. As a result, open houses have become a less powerful selling tool.
Holding an open house is part of a much larger strategy in selling Fort Lauderdale houses. Many agents hold an open house to help increase their own exposure. And while it may not sound like it, this can be very good for you. A Realtor who knows how to market themselves and who has a lot of connections will likely be able to draw a crowd for your home. Any exposure of your property can be beneficial, just don’t expect a ton of legitimate written offers on the day of. Don’t rely solely on an open house, but do appreciate an agent who is utilizing ALL resources to sell your home.
Do you want to run an open house? Check out HGTV’s “Six Steps To Hosting A DIY Open House.” Recommendations include checking out the competition, preparing a property description sheet, preparing and staging the home, spreading the word, being a gracious host, and following up with interested buyers.
We Buy Houses
Call Us (954) 676-1846 Send Text Send Text Send Text or Fill Out This Form For Your FAIR Offer.
