Preveiwing at Realtor Open Houses

In addition to Sunday Open Houses, which agents host to give their listings exposure to the buyer community, Realtors often host Agent Open Houses which typically happen on Tuesdays.

Traditionally these Tuesday Opens were held specifically for the office who was presenting the listing. It was a way to get all the agents in the office familiar with the property so that if anyone called the office, any agent would be able to answer the caller’s questions even if it wasn’t that particular agent’s listing.

Fast forward to the 21st century where our industry is technology driven. With the just a few clicks most people can get all the info they need about a home via the internet. If someone calls the office, an agent can quickly access all the relevant information and relay it to a caller. So the Tuesday tour has gone out of fashion.

However recently I have been participating a monthly event organized by Dennis Hayden a city real estate broker and attended by city agents which puts a different spin on the Tuesday tour. This tour is open to all listings that are active in a specific neighborhood. Each month the tour focuses on a different neighborhood and recruits agents from all different agencies to showcase available homes the chosen area.

Below are photos of homes I toured at Tuesday’s Agent Open along with the Realtors who are representing them.

Here is my listing at 4265 Humphrey which was open on Tuesday. It’s 2 bed/1 bath with an office with an amazing yard complete with privacy fence listed for $114,900.

This home, listed by Annie Trachsel, is on the corner of Wyoming and Roger. It has 3 bedroom and 1 full bath. The back yard is really nicely landscaped and has a Pergola. It’s listed for $185,000.

Above is Debby Ervin at her listing at 3821 Hartford. It is 5 bedroom, 2.5 bath historic home listed at $339,000. Great curb appeal!

3959 Wyoming is listed by John Grass and is priced at $299,900. The home is expansive with 4 beds, 2.5 baths and basement that’s perfect for a “man cave”.

3210 Morganford is listed by Karen Schindler for $179,900. It is a town home with 2 beds and 2 baths and some really cool finishing touches.

The lovely Mary Walls was hosting the agent open on Tuesday at 3847 Utah Place $435,000. Oh Utah Place…what an amazing street! This home has 4 beds and 2.5 baths.

3722 Connecticut has 3 beds and 2 baths and is listed by Sarah Foley-Davis for $229,364. For all this house has to offer, the price is really affordable.

3153 Portis, listed by Tim Tanz is massive with 4 beds and 3 bath. It is listed for $279,900. Close to the park and walking distance The Royal.

Reasons I Love This Concept

First its great for sellers. Having 15-25 agents view your home is a great way to get a lot of feedback in a short amount of time. After viewing agents fill out a survey that asks about price, condition and needed improvements. This data gives the home owner a lot of valuable information.

Second it allows agents from different brokerages a chance to actually meet each other as colleagues. You would be surprised at how smoothly sales go when the opposing agents have established a rapport. When agents have the opportunity to develop a respectful working relationship there is a lot less posturing and a lot more communication. And let’s face it, most of goes wrong in a real estate transaction could be easily avoided with clear communication.

And finally it allows agents to not only keep up with the active inventory but also helps them gain a greater perspective on the neighborhood as a whole. Viewing several listings in one area gives a better idea of price and available housing stock. Skimming through these listings you will begin to develop an overall picture of the neighborhood.