Archive for March, 2010

Nosy Neighbors Rejoice! There’s an Open House coming your way!

said on March 28th, 2010 filed under: Information for Sellers

There are a lot of agents around who don’t like to do open houses. Some sellers aren’t too crazy about them either. I’m a huge fan, and here are 4 sure-fire reasons why:

If someone really wants to see my house their agent can get bring them.

Guess what? A lot of agents are already working on Sundays, holding their own listings open. They can’t be in two places at once. Furthermore, a lot of buyers like to go it alone… without their agents. An open house provides easy access for these buyers. Would you rather have 20 people look at your house during an open house, or have 20 separate agents call you to schedule a viewing at 20 different times. Many sellers are uncomfortable sticking around when people look at their house. Do you want to have to scram 20 times? Ergh. Furthermore, a lot of house hunters haven’t yet selected an agent. They might not call the agent on the yard sign. An open house is often the only way to get these potential buyers into the property.

I don’t like having all of my personal stuff on display. What if something gets taken?

I can’t promise that it won’t happen. However, not one agent in my office of 70+ agents has ever reported a theft at an open house. And I’ve been selling houses for over 10 years with the same firm. That’s no excuse for tempting fate. Hide away your jewelery and valuables. Put away your family photos (or severely cut back on the number you display).

Open houses are really just for the agents- it’s a good way for them to meet buyers.

Yup. Holding an open house is a great way to meet buyers who aren’t working with an agent. It’s also a wonderful way to get specific buyer feedback about your home. I can also answer questions about the house that might not be covered in the brochure (Where’s the local park? How far is Metro? Where’s the nearest Starbucks?). Most importantly… I get a feel for how things are going. Is the price right? Is the extra couch in the family room crowding things? Is the lighting in the bedroom too dim? Does my Spidey sense tell me that we’ll be getting an offer on Monday? Let’s hope so!

They’re just for nosy neighbors, and I really don’t want them looking at my house…

Hey, even nosy neighbors have friends. And nosy neighbors want their friends to live in their neighborhood. Letting them take a peek at your fabulous house might be the best bit of free advertising you can imagine. I can’t tell you how many people show up at my open houses announcing that they are friends with Such-n-such Neighbor who suggested that they check out your home.

As a listing agent my job is to attract and expose the property to ready, willing and able buyers. Open Houses are a vital and very deliberate part of my marketing strategy.

posted by Marcie Sandalow Leave A Comment

Top 10 Reasons to Live in East Bethesda

said on March 24th, 2010 filed under: Bethesda, Information for Buyers, Neighborhoods

Lynbrook Park in East Bethesda

You’ve probably driven by East Bethesda on one of your many trips up and down Wisconsin Avenue, and wondered to yourself “what lucky souls live in this incredibly convenient neighborhood- so close to everything in Bethesda, and yet, so charming and suburban at the same time?” Well, I’m here to tell you 10 fabulous reasons why 1,200 households call East Bethesda home:

1. Walk to Metro

Walk to two metros! East Bethesda is snuggled between Bethesda Metro and NIH Medical Center Metro. For most, the walk takes under 15 minutes.

2. Affordability

The average price for an East Bethesda home in 2010 was $885,626 (down from a high of $933,825 in 2007). East Bethesda offers a variety of homes, from modest bungalows starting in the low $500,000s to 6&7 bedroom new-builds topping $1,999,000. Your average 3-bedroom/1.5-bath brick colonial is running around $725,000 right now.

3. Lynbrook Park

Ground Zero for East Bethesda. Wide open fields, playgrounds, soccer field, baseball diamond, unofficial dog park, basketball court, Day Care center, blacktop, tennis courts, morning outdoor exercise class, sledding in the winter, etc… Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Marcie Sandalow 29 Comments »