Everyone who knows me knows I don’t believe in open houses.

 

But of course, we’re renting them, not selling them, for the most part.

 

Why?  What provokes my strong feelings?

 

Open Houses don’t work- at least they haven’t for us. 

 

And apparently I’m not alone.

Jane Kwiatkowski has written some pithy thoughts on the subject for The Buffalo News.

 

She refers to these people as house snoops because they haunt open houses every Sunday  as a regular hobby. 

 

They are the irritating non-customers who take up your time, criticize your units, and generally make a nuisance of themselves because they're in your way.

 

One of my most fav quotes is from house snooper James May.

 

“It’s kind of the same attraction as the Parkside tour of homes,” said James May. “It’s a good snooping experience. We only do three or four, and pretty much stick to the Delaware District and Central Park, just to get out of the house. It’s free and it doesn’t require thinking or commitment.”

 

So what does all this have to do with property management?

 

You will get calls from apartment snoops.  Those are the folks who have no intention of renting what you have.

 

How will you know for sure?

 

Ask them when they need something.

 

That one simple question will stop them from hijacking a big chunk of your time.

 

I have often been so surprised I’ve almost dropped the phone when  callers, who are disguised apartment snoops, tell me they really don’t need anything for three,  maybe four months.

 

So why are they looking now?

 

Do they honestly  think you will hold a unit that long?

 

How do you solve this problem?

 

Tell them the unit will be rented now- as in immediately- not at some  far off date in the distant future.  (Say it nicely, of course).

 

If they still insist on  seeing it, show it to them more  at your convenience, not theirs.  That would be when  you know you have a good prospect coming.  Piggyback  the appointments and you won’t be losing any time. 

 

Let them walk through and  then out.  That’s all they really want to do anyway.

 

 

 

 

Popularity: 10% [?]

Related Websites

• How To Become Wealthier, Faster Investing In Real Estate Having rehabbed over 521 properties in the last nine years and collected over 3000 apartment units I'm often asked, how can I become wealthier faster investing in real estate? While most investors concentrate on some aspect of single-family houses, I was always interested in apartment houses first, and then single......
• DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS FOR FENCING FOR THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE I HAVE PUT 4 X 4S DOWN IN CEMENT IS PLYWOOD GOOD? MAINLY THE FENCING AT HOME DEPO IS 2 BUCKS AND IS THIS REALLY WHAT YOU WOULD USE People opinion : Siko say : Well really fencing is a sport, so you could possibly do it on the side of your house.thelineman say : 3 years ago i put up a......
• House and Car Gift Ideas Most people have cars and most people live in a house/apartment. While considering gift ideas always think of what a person can use, as well as what will make them smile. People are alike in many ways, yet sometimes we deal with hard to buy gifts, since some people have......
• Best of Money Carnival #12: Keeping It Random Welcome to the Best of Money Carnival.  If you love carnivals as much as I do then you’re probably not too excited about this one.  Fear not.  This one is different.  How you ask?  Because it’s all subjective and I have control of everything (for this week at least).  You......
• Interior Painting Ideas– House Painter Celebration & Orlando When redecorating, you can just paint your walls the colors you want, and then you can be done. However, there are many other painting ideas out there that you can use to make your rooms special if you wish to do so. Many love to find new methods of......