My First Open House Experience.

Today I shadowed my dear friend and respected buyer’s agent, Maggie Insley. Maggie works for the UnlockILM team through Keller Williams. Her along with the rest of the team have been showing me the do’s and do-nots of real estate. It's been quite the adventure learning all the lingo. For example, what HOA means, or what MLS and CMS actually stand for. I'm grateful for the knowledge and experience they are giving me, and will owe some of my success to them. With that being said be prepared to hear a lot about this awesome team, because without them I wouldn't have cool stuff to write and educate my fellow rookies with.

So now what you've all been waiting for...the open house experience!

The house we showed today was a beautiful refurbished 3 bedrooms, 2-bathroom house with 1,208 square feet. Located at 127 Meadowood Drive, Wilmington NC and priced at $164,900.

Maggie and I started the day out by putting "Open House" signs with balloons by the leading roadways to attract buyers. Needless to say they worked because we had a busy day! There was a steady flow of traffic throughout the 2 hours we were at the house. During that time, I was able to step back and watch as a licensed agent (Maggie) approached and spoke to potential clients.

Things I learned:

-- Staying stationary is the best way to let people walk throughout the house without feeling suffocated by your presence. It allows them to bond and really judge the house for themselves. Sometimes people feel like they can't speak their mind about a house in fear of offending the agent present, but if you guys are anything like me... you won't be offended, well because it’s not your house.

-- Be friendly and find something to connect you and the potential client with! If you happen to be a dog lover and the potential client brings up how they have a dog and think the backyard space would be perfect for their furry child, find a way to connect that with your own life and SHARE it with them! It shows them that you're a real person, and not just someone trying to sell them something.

-- Ask certain questions that can help you get to know someone who just walked in!

For example, "Have you been looking at any other homes in the area?"

"Do you have an agent?"

"How long have you been looking for a house?"

"What is your price range?"

"When are you looking to buy by?"

-- Ask leading questions! Even though in Real Estate you yourself are your own business and brand you still are trying to sell some property!

For example, "How are you liking it!?" opposed to "Do you like it?"

"Isn't this new floors the best!?" opposed to "Do you like the floor!?"

-- Placement is everything! Leave things where you want people’s eyes to wander! For example, If there is new counter space in a house and you want people to really see the counter space place your business cards and flyers! This way as people are grabbing those things they are also forced to look at that counter!

All in all, it was a great day to learn! I hope you all check back in later to learn more stuff, yah rookie!