Want to perform open houses for other agents...Advice?

Question

Hello all, I am a new agent in the San Diego area.  I love the idea of offering my time to perform open houses for other agents in my market in order to practice my communication with clients, build my own leads list and just to get my name out and network.  For other agents who may have done this in the past, how do you find those selling agents who would be willing and ready to allow an outside agent to perform their open house for them?  How do you approach them, what do you offer, etc?  Thank you!

James Wise · Answer

Send all of the agents in your brokerage an email offering to do open houses at their listings.

Most, if not all of them should be happy to let you do this for them.

Daniella W. · Answer

Its pretty standard to hold open houses for other agents. Some brokers won't allow outside agents to hold open listings (I believe Berkshire Hathaway and Ascent so don't call on agents who work for them). Here are my tips:

Do a great job of follow up with the listing agent and make sure you leave the House and lock up exactly as you found it

Pick houses in a high traffic area for more exposure

Put out a ton of signs

Be friendly and helpful to buyers. Have a sign in sheet.

Know the area and nearby houses for sale so that you are able to help the buyers who come in. They are more likely to work with you if you're of immediate benefit to them.

Hope that helps!

Daniella

Linda Shepard · Answer

Hi Tim,

I am pretty sure the new home subdivisions in the San Diego area are hiring for people to show the new homes.  You might want to look in that direction also.

Linda

Fred Heller · Answer

I think that's going to be tough. Other agents are going to know that you're doing it to build your own client base. And open houses are great for that. I don't think there are too many agents who will be willing to turn that over to you.

That's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

Tim Ehlers · Answer

@Wayne Brooks

Thanks for the reply!.  I should clarify that I work for an independent Broker so it is just her and I.  She has been an investor in the area for over 20 years and runs a very successful meeting group for investors, we are doing property management together and I am assisting in finding investment properties for her however I also want to supplement my time and income by working with home buyers...I just love it!

So, I will be needing to contact outside agencies.  I want to volunteer my time to help them sell their listing as fest as possible while a the same time building my database of potential buyers/sellers.

Wayne Brooks · Answer

Other agents in your office, who aren't doing it themselves should welcome it on their listings.  No need to offer them anything