Real estate open houses are a regular event in most countries but to date they have not really been scheduled here in the BVI – but that is changing! We hosted an Open House last weekend and were so delighted with the turn out and positive feedback that we are going to host them on a regular basis. Please accept this as an open invitation to join us!
What is an open house? A property listed for sale is opened to anyone who wishes to view it. They can last anything from two hours to four hours and you can schedule an appointment or just show up on the day. They are usually scheduled on a Saturday and the idea is to give exposure to the property. The main characteristic is that you can view with no time pressure, you can view if you are just curious to see the property and/or admire the interiors and the location and you can spend as long or as little time as you wish. Drinks and snacks are invariably available to enable you to relax and enjoy the property at leisure.
Open houses date back to the 1950’s and 60’s in the USA. The market was booming at that time and real estate agents held open houses to attract the growing number of prospective buyers and capitalize on the expanding suburban markets. They attracted passersby as well as engaged buyers which added to their popularity. Now it is a firm fixture globally with brokers in the US, Canada, Australia and Europe scheduling them on a weekly basis.
Nestseekers International, who Red Coral work closely with, are the leading innovators in real estate engagement globally and they host open houses in cities and countries across the world every week. Log on to https://www.nestseekers.com/OpenHouses to see what properties are available to enjoy wherever you are. Below is just an example of a few that are being hosted this weekend in the Hamptons.
The open house hosted by Red Coral here on Tortola last week was held at Norgrove House, a gorgeous three-acre landscaped estate which overlooks the airport. It was wonderful to spend time with viewers who were able to spend time admiring the gardens and walking through the property at their leisure. It was also great for viewers to have the opportunity to enjoy a cold drink on the deck and watch the planes come and go and realise that despite the proximity to the runway it was a very peaceful and tranquil vantage point, something that only being there for half an hour or so would enable you to experience.
Having time to enjoy the property without any time pressures means you can really get the know the property and spend some quality time on site. There is no requirement to be actively engaged in a search, everyone is welcome to come and experience the property. My own first experience of an open house was when I was on vacation in Sydney. The gorgeous neighbourhood that I was staying in, Double Bay, hosted these regularly and the joy of being able to see how people lived and enjoy the furnishings and artwork is something that has stayed with me.
There are technologies now that enable compelling 3D tours and walkthroughs, but nothing can beat experiencing a home in real time. One on one viewings by appointment will always be vital to those engaged in a search but being able to enjoy and experience real estate without the need to adhere to any specific timings opens up a property to those who might not otherwise find the time to view it.
We cannot wait to host our next Open House. Please keep an eye on our social media channels for new on the next open house and we will look forwards to seeing you there!
