Open Houses – Pros and Cons

Open Houses – Pros and Cons

The time-honored idea of an open house as a key sales strategy is losing favor fast. In fact many real estate agents refuse to hold open houses when they sell real estate. They tell the seller that other agents only hold them because it can be a good way to market their business, as opposed to selling the house. Or that most people only use the internet now. Or that you only get nosy neighbors and lookey-loos.

While this can hold true, it shouldn't deter a seller from holding their house open. The reality is it only takes one buyer to sell a home and you never know how they will first see it. Pre-marketing and timing of the open house is what could make it a success or not.

Many buyers who visit open houses do so to compare what is on the market in certain areas and price brackets. If your home is priced well and shows well, it will certainly stand out among other homes they are seeing. Holding an open house immediately after listing the home or having a "coming soon" open house, is a good way to find a buyer that is seriously in the market.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 20 years ago 41 percent of people trying to sell real estate (specifically houses) relied on estate agents having open houses. By the year 2000 this percentage had dropped to 28 percent. Generally though real estate agents no longer consider open houses to be a necessity.

In the past decade, the value of Internet marketing has outpaced the value of open houses; 20 years ago only two percent of people in the market to purchase used online options. By last year, this percentage had increased remarkably to over 90% percent. This doesn't mean that open houses don't work. In fact, it just makes them much easier to market.

One thing open houses do facilitate is opinion. Even if visitors are “tire kickers” and not even in the market to buy, agents can get a gauge of what they think of the house. This often gives the seller the opportunity to rectify problem areas they may not have previously considered necessary or possibly adjust the price to meet market expectations.

The most common objection to holding open houses relates to security and privacy issues. If you do decide to hold an open house, secure all valuables (preferably remove them from the premises), pack away all family photos, and hide extra keys that are hanging around. After all an agent can't be in every room with every person, so precautions should be taken. Make sure your agent asks people to sign in as an extra precaution.

In addition to this, not all houses are good candidates for open houses. For instance, those in remote locations are unlikely to get enough visitors to warrant an agent sitting there all day. Very rundown or neglected homes are also not good for open houses. In this instance private viewing is recommended, where the estate agent can pay full attention to the potential buyer and do a more focused sales pitch.

Working with a professional agent, you can weigh all the pros and cons and decide if it's right for you. if you have any questions about holding an open house, Contact Us at Jim Cleveland Homes Keller Williams Cary NC.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Home on the Golf Course

Pros and Cons of Buying a Home on the Golf Course

Cary and Raleigh Area Golf Course Communities 

Living on a golf course is more than just having a perfectly manicured garden to overlook. It's also a lifestyle. The last thing you want to do is pay a premium for a home that comes with additional features you might not want or need.

People with a passion for golf - the sounds, the fresh air, the comrade, the scenery - happily pay a premium to live their dream. To be able to walk out of their patio on a quiet weekday afternoon and practice their putting is well worth it to them. Just being able to ride their golf cart to the course and play anytime they want is very appealing to many people. All of the social activities and events that go along with golf course living are also a bonus to those seeking that lifestyle.

Ask yourself these questions and see if living on a golf course is right for you.

Are you a golfer? Most people that live on a course want to live there because it is a golf course. If you don't love the atmosphere and the activity you may regret it. Yes, it's a pretty view, but there will be people on the course too. Most of your neighbors, that will probably be their passion. Will you have anything in common?

Do you like quiet Saturday mornings? Visit the home during the week and on a Saturday morning to get a feel for noise and traffic. Maybe you enjoy the crack of a club hitting the ball and the banter of golfers on the course - and it will be a perfect fit.

Is the home in the flight path of balls? Talk to the Pro Shop and regular golfers on the course. Ask their opinions about which areas are more prone to hitting homes. Talk to your insurance agent if such damage is covered. Is this a risk you are willing to take? Maybe a broken window time to time is a small price to pay for living in your dream home.

Do the other neighborhood amenities appeal to you? Most golf course communities offer many other nice amenities such as a pool, tennis courts, gym facilities and more. Check to see which amenities are included (if there are separate membership fees) and if you will use all of them.

Are you social? Living in a golf course community can be a great way to socialize and meet people with similar interests. Generally communities like this are pretty tight knit and making new friends is easy. If you like seclusion and privacy, a golf course home may not appeal to you.

Are there any other costs? In some golf course communities, the golf membership is part of the Home Owners Association dues and in some communities Membership is separate. The costs can also vary widely. Do your research on these fees and make sure it's in your budget to maintain an annual membership. Find out what other costs are associated with owning a home on the golf course. Are there any maintenance requirements on your part to keep your yard looking good from the course?

Are you OK with being part of an HOA? Home Owners Associations (HOA) impose standards and rules when it comes to the upkeep, style and improvements of homes in the community to maintain property values and ensure conformity. Golf Course Communities may have even more rules, especially for homes directly along the course. Check to make sure the rules are those you are willing and able to abide by.

If you are in the market for a Golf Course Property in Cary, Raleigh, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Chapel Hill, Durham, Wake Forest or any areas surrounding the Triangle area of North Carolina, please contact me.

As a former Golf Pro, full time Realtor and resident of MacGregor Downs Country Club, I can offer you a wealth of advice and insight on purchasing a golf course property in any of our beautiful local golf course communities. If you need a referral outside of the area for a golf course property specialist, contact me. I have an extensive network of Agents I can refer.

CLICK HERE FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF GOLF COURSE PROPERTIES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THE TRIANGLE