5,772,575
Sharon,
I like how some of the great agents in Santa Barbara do it. They make an effort to meet each person, and then ask permission to write their name down for further contact. I found it friendly and inviting. A
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Jan Green - Scottsdale...
Scottsdale, AZ
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Kevin Mackessy
Highlands Ranch, CO
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Svetlana Stolyarova
Mayfield Heights, OH
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Sharon Paxson
Newport Beach, CA
18,902
I use Open Home Pro. I have had zero resistance to it. It is super simple to use and setup.
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Larry Lawfer
Newton, MA
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Randy Leaf
Manhattan Beach, CA
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Jim Paulson
Boise, ID
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Sharon Paxson
Newport Beach, CA
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Maureen Harmonay
Bolton, MA
227,737
Hi, Great question. people love to sign in on pad's or laptops. they don't like paper anymore
I rarely do open houses, but when I do I have a hard policy about whom I let in.
Realtor with the clients, business card only.
sight-seer's: name, email and phone number. don't want to fill out, you are not getting in period, come back with your Realtor, c-ya
Let's talk about safety for a second:
the ID check above is for your safety, if they fill it out, then the are serious, so you don't have to worry to much, that still does not mean you let your guard down
get a maglite http://maglite.com/shop/maglite-3-cell-d-led-3rd-gen-flashlight-556.html#.VMjz0S7SzwA
practice hitting haystacks at eye level, trust me, you'll open a can of whoop-ass on someone and have the opportunity to run if you practice. and get the weaved holder, your mag-lite slides out easier.
Mace ( pepper stray ) is not good from my perspective, just makes people angry and does not give you the chance to escape ( unless you got a fogger, that's the big can of bear mace, then you have a chance )
Pistol, don't even think it, unless you have real, long term training on how to draw, point, and shoot. the odds are you will get yourself killed. Most people cannot hit a target at 5 paces ( 15 feet )
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Randy Leaf
Manhattan Beach, CA
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Michael Rasch
Hallandale Beach, FL
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Sharon Paxson
Newport Beach, CA
716,049
I really don't do this anymore Sharon Paxson . I don't find this effective and old school. I'd rather introduce myself formally, shake their hands, ask them for their names, and small talk with them (and ask where they are from and what are they looking for) as they step in the doorway while I open the door and hold it firmly in one hand, and hand out my business card.
I train all my buyers when they go to open houses, never to give out their names on a registration form, have them hand out my business card instead - and I supply them with a stack of them, and to write my name and phone number instead as the contact person. So I get the call from the open house host.
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Mike Tizzano
Mesa, AZ
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Rita Harris
Seattle, WA
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Jim Paulson
Boise, ID
554,600
I don't use an app nor a piece of paper. I've had my buyers who have gone to open houses, and they tell me how the agent was and if they were asked to sign in. They hate to sign in and then they tell me the reasons the agent told them as to why they needed to sign in: "it's for the seller's security;" "we are required to do this;" (like it is a law or something!); and, "I'd like to send you a thank you card for attending." So far based on my clients' feedback, they didn't like any of these "reasons."
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Rita Harris
Seattle, WA
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Jan Green - Scottsdale...
Scottsdale, AZ
279,878
873,519
Sounds like a great idea. I have never had people balk at writing down their name...so I do not see this as a major obstacle. Good Luck to those using the newest technology!!
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Jan Green - Scottsdale...
Scottsdale, AZ
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Mike McCann Nebraska L...
Kearney, NE
953,717
Occasionally I would have resistance if I left my card out, now I keep my business cards in the pocket until after they're done with the iPad.
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Sharon Paxson
Newport Beach, CA
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Pete Xavier
Pacific Palisades, CA
630,251
1,432,649
I have them register on a card, rather than a list. I ask 4 or 5 questions. Name, etc., what you want in a home, do you have an agent?
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Gene Riemenschneider
Brentwood, CA
2,194,668
I don't use an iPad in that manner because it doesn't make the visitor feel special. In fact, I don't want a notepad to be too convenient nearby, either. I'd rather fumble in my bag, and write their name on the back of a grocery receipt. You don't want to come across as too polished at picking up leads.
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Sharon Paxson
Newport Beach, CA
1,027,602
Love Open House Pro on the rare occasion I do an open house. People seem to offer no resistance to signing in on an iPad vs pen and paper.
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Sharon Paxson
Newport Beach, CA
1,107,863
I prefer to meet each guest, keep conversation light, answer questions, engage them, and ask if I can send them information. Most are happy to share information. I use a simple sign-in sheet and make certain they leave with my contact information.
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Rita Harris
Seattle, WA
22,600
I also have done the IPAD open house APP with not much luck compared to pen and paper. However I believe it also depends on what time of area your open house is in. Here in AZ with many Retirement communities the IPAD APPS don't do well compared to areas with younger buyers.
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Sharon Paxson
Newport Beach, CA
273,237
Great suggestions. I use traditional pen and paper now but look forward to an iPad App.
As for their not being a law that requires them to sign in it is our duty to protect the Seller and their assets. I also have it right there in big letters if they don't want to be contacted I will not contact them. Plain and simple.
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Sharon Paxson
Newport Beach, CA
2,759,871
Mmmm. If I were a home buyer, I'd be thingking:
"Why must I have a some device stuck in my face before I can simply ask a few questions about the property?"
117,040
I use Open Home Pro on the iPad. I also have pen and paper available as well. People like using the iPad and it avoids trying to decipher someone's messy handwriting. If people want disclosures, I use the iPad because it makes emailing easier. Also, if you use the Open Home Pro program, check the settings. It will send an automatic email when the open house is over and you may not want that sent to everyone.
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Randy Leaf
Manhattan Beach, CA
1,318,269
I have had a paper sign in and it has been quite successful.
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Jan Green - Scottsdale...
Scottsdale, AZ
666,639
Sharon - I haven't used an app before... I use individual sign in cards made with Microsoft Publisher for a more polished look. The reason that I use individual cards is so that I can make notes on the back as I go along; nothing worse than really connecting with a person and then you can't remember what their name is. Most people do fill it out, at their name & agent if they have one... not perfect but cheap and effective. As David above said... make sure you can read their writing as soon as they finish filling it out.
Best of luck with whatever you end up using...
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Jan Green - Scottsdale...
Scottsdale, AZ
878,659
When I've done them in the past I just used pen and paper. Simpler and gets the same point across.
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Jan Green - Scottsdale...
Scottsdale, AZ
263,964
We use a simple sign-in sheet. I've looked into the iPad app. However, I didn't like using it when I visited another agent's open house...and for that reason alont I'd have a hard time getting others to use it.
If you're looking for something different to do, try having a pocket listing sign-up sheet.
Best,
Kim
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Sharon Paxson
Newport Beach, CA
940,545
I have not done through I pad, but usually write their information down on a sheet or ask them to write. Very important, make sure you can read it before they leave.
So far I've been pretty good at scoring those digits. LOL
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Sharon Paxson
Newport Beach, CA
104,074
I may try Open Home Pro next. Agents in our office seem to like it. I tried AM Open House, but it wasn't a good fit for me (I tried it because they sync with a lot of CRM platforms, including mine). I am a bit concerned about my iPad being stolen, so I am considering how to protect against that as well.
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Sharon Paxson
Newport Beach, CA
8,208
I have been thinking about trying this. Thanks for the useful suggestions everyone. Have a productive day!
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Sharon Paxson
Newport Beach, CA
4,800,082
6,393,609
Good question Sharon, our open houses are by appointment only, so I generally have my guest list on my tablet already.
56,545
I use Open House Pro and also have a sign in book. This allows them to sign in with the format they are comfortable with. I don't force anyone to sign in. If they do, then they are willing to be contacted. Why waste time on those who sign in and provide bogus information?
1,026,994
Great comments and suggestions here, I have had similar situations where home owner wouldn't let me show the home unless they were pre-approved! She didn't want looky loos!
236,403
530,668
We simply talk to each visitor as they come into the heart of the home. We let them look around however ask that they sign in as a courtesy to the homeowner ( who would like to know who was in their home)
We have preloaded on our iPads, and iPhones nearby OPEN HOUSES, the subject property, a list of homes in that price range in the area and comps for the subject home. Depending on the conversation, we might say "would you like a list of the homes that have recently sold in the past 90 days?"They always say yes, then I say " would you like it by email or text. I send it instantly. The list has our contact information on it. ( We do the same for buyers.
51,536
4,434,127
I have an app on my iPad but use a paper and pen as i found people do not mind writing their name on the sheet of paper..
647,038
I sell luxury properties, no one gets into the house without signing in. No one. I had a person come in who said he was an attorney and he wasn't going to sign in and give me his information. I told him fine, but as the person with the fiduciary responsibility for the property he could not come in. He should me his license and I let him in.
I use Open Home Pro and only rarely do I get push back. My assistant, who is at the front door, always lets the people know that they will get a thank you note from us but will never be spammed or put into our database for future mailings. I speak personally with each and every person while they are in the house. That is our job.
557,375
I screen prospects to determine if they are researching, buying or simply curious about the open house. Depending on what I discover will determine if I'll persuade them to provide their email address and cell number. Why would anybody contact a consumer who has already disqualified themselves as a legitimate future client?
18,309
Gotta say, I attended an Open where the agent met me in the entry with his pad and asked me questions which he recorded the answers. Personally, I felt like I was in the Apple Store with a problem rather than visiting a property where they were welcoming the general public!
I liked in theory, Michael Rasch's idea of not letting in people unless they give up the info.
That said, in my area (Seattle, WA) RedFin sends their clients to properties which are being held open. Usually these people are not going to provide me with any information and sometimes, they even arrive with their inspector in tow! Perhaps fellow Olympia, WA Broker, Francine Viola can relate? I appreciated your comments about your clients' resistence.
Not sure how I feel about this app. I'd love to hear from people in large cities such as NYC, SFO, LA, Portland..... How is it working for yooooou?
Rita Harris, Broker
WP & Associates
Seattle, WA
222,658
Paper is still best for something like this. Use technology when it is better, not for everything.
4,319,419
1,139,819
Just lurking in the back ground here to read the answers. I am not great at open houses though this year I may try a few.
2,436,210
I used to use paper sign-in sheets, but people didn't like to use them. Since I started bringing my iPad with the Open Home app, I've only had one person say no. Most people like the swiping and entering of info.
1,449,860
3,986,258
1,026,994
I have been using Open Home Pro, but I have had (at times) people not want to sign in and not want to give me email address. Of course I respect their privacy. I do like the app. Thank you everyone for your comments!
And re: my iPad, I keep it with me all the time, and phone in back pocket!