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Deal breakers: Never do these things at an open house

By Tim Neary
05 September 2016 | 5 minute read
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An open house can often be a make or break event for real estate agents. We ask two of the most successful women in the industry about the biggest mistakes agents make at an open house.  

McGrath Sylvania principal Donna Etchells says agents should never be on the phone during an open house. She says seeing an agent speaking on the phone or texting is a major turn-off for many potential buyers. 

“It shows they would really rather be somewhere else than in the home they are there to represent,” Ms Etchells told REB.

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“The focus needs to be on the clients that are in front of me. I think people feel like you are not interested if you are not present.”

Ms Etchells said buyers have attended open houses where agents barely acknowledge their presence and spent time chatting to each other instead.

She said open days are one of the biggest sources of business for agents because they are opportunities for potential sellers to shop for an agent.

“They might say they are there to research around the area for what things are selling for but they are also really researching you as an agent. Also, it is actually a big way of clients checking you out before they will invite you into their home for a listing,” Ms Etchells said.

Meanwhile, Ray White Balwyn principal Helen Yan said the biggest mistake agents make is failing to tell the truth.  

“Sometimes they think if there are not many inquiries, they can lower the price but that is actually not right. We have to deliver what the vendor wants... what is the market value, so you need to provide correct information,” Ms Yan said.  

[Related: Avoid these 5 mistakes on your business card]

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