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Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Once in a while, I'll see a wine and cheese, but I've never seen anybody drink more than a small glass of wine or bubbly.

Dec 10, 2016 08:23 PM
Ambassador
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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Limited offerings, and limited serving times:

     The builders offer them, usually from 5:00PM to 7:00PM.   Beer and wine only. 

     Some Agents/Brokers serve beer and wine at Broker's Opens.  Again, the hours are limited.

    Our Board Office has several events during the year, the wine and beer comes out after 5:00PM.

     I assume that each "host" has a  liability policy in place.  

Dec 10, 2016 08:16 PM
Rainmaker
2,234,865
Debbie Laity
CinaJones Real Estate - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County

We use to see a few broker opens, but not so much anymore. There use to be alcohol served. I haven't heard of that ever being a problem, though. 

We don't see many broker opens anymore, because they are a waste of time. 

Dec 10, 2016 08:20 PM
Ambassador
5,557,740
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

We do have a lot of those in the evenings here, Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, Broker, Tacoma Washington but, there is no 'policing' of guests. I assume that most do what I do - rarely does anyone have more than one glass of champagne or wine and the time that we have them are typically very short so, we've never had any issues here.

Dec 10, 2016 08:07 PM
Ambassador
1,057,061
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

I'm in the minority here. We do Broker Opens often. They are well attended and food and alcohol are served. I've never known anyone to have more than one glass of wine as they wander and possibly another as they gather and talk. We often do progressive Broker Open Houses in an area where three or four nearby listings will be held open and different offerings will be at each location (appetizers, salad, main course, dessert). They are an EXCELLENT way to make and build relationships. 

The law (in many states including Colorado) says that you as the 'social host' are liable ONLY if you OVER-serve and/or recklessly encourage a guest to continue drinking when it is clear they are drunk. In decades of doing this, I've never once seen anyone have more than one or two small glasses. 

Broker Opens in our area are a big deal.

Dec 11, 2016 06:46 AM
Rainmaker
846,483
Paul Antonelli
Antonelli Realty - Saint Cloud, FL
Retired Broker Owner; Antonelli Realty

I have seen it done, mostly it the builders that do it, here.

Dec 11, 2016 02:43 AM
Rainmaker
4,790,800
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

On some occasions, there have been some twilight broker's open houses with wine.   I'm not sure how it is handled.   

Dec 11, 2016 01:04 AM
Ambassador
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Not something that I would do, it is a business presentation, not a party.

Dec 10, 2016 09:23 PM
Ambassador
1,472,241
Susan Emo
Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I've never attended one as they are no longer popular in my area.  I do know many Realtors who are now sober who speak about making the rounds at the different Opens, having a few drinks at each. Scary times!  Now, the saying is "Arrive Alive, Don't Drink and Drive!"

Dec 11, 2016 08:15 AM
Rainmaker
608,993
Mitchell J Hall
Manhattan, NY
Lic Associate RE Broker - Manhattan & Brooklyn

We have broker open house tours almost everyday. They're specific to a neighborhood and type of property. Usually one listing serves lunch and one serves dessert. Occasionaly wine is served especially at high end properties.

I just received an email for a Penthouse Luxury Open House during lunchtime 12:30-2PM. It's for an $8.95M 6 bedroom triplex with three terraces.

Come Enjoy The Jingle And Mingle With Festive Foods From The Smith Resturant and Vintage Côtes du Rhône Wines

 

Dec 11, 2016 07:53 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Such events are NOT an open bar.

One should expect in a community of professionals that the host as well as the guest are fully enabled to impose conditions regarding creating conditions of liability.

If one sought environments of GUARANTEED  safety, no risk, they would realize safety does not exist in their own home. All we can do is Manage the exposure to risk. That may involve asserting authority in a situation.

What is most likely to occur is brokers will impose their policy on agents.

As for me, if the host has the Chardonnay chilled, I will enjoy a taste.

IF I were to become involved in a crash, it will most likely be due to distraction from checking that GPS. But my attorney will look for someone else to blame. It is the AMERICAN way.

 

Dec 11, 2016 05:24 AM
Rainmaker
3,074,716
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Coldwell Banker Realty

Have never attended one

Dec 11, 2016 04:00 AM
Rainmaker
982,293
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

I have always believed it is a liability and have not witness Broker opens lately serving. 

Dec 11, 2016 03:46 AM
Rainer
321,664
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Trinity Premier Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

Yes, we do in Ft. Worth.  I've never noticed an agent over drinking. It's more of a draw for a crowd. Wine & cheese ..  Networking for higher end homes.  

Dec 10, 2016 09:23 PM
Rainmaker
5,774,106
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

No,

The liability is enormous.  A

Dec 10, 2016 09:10 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,529
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I seldom go to these, and actually I have not seen one in many months

Dec 10, 2016 08:38 PM
Rainmaker
720,287
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

That's a great question Paul. I've been to all-out extravagant open houses of luxury homes, both public and brokers only, where alcohol flows freely - in all senses of the words. Always asked myself that question.

And brokerage holiday parties, and other events where drinks are 'on the house'...

I can only guess that we are all responsible adults.

 

Jan 09, 2017 12:59 PM
Rainmaker
611,361
Jonathan Hall
William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty - Danbury, CT
Realtor - Danbury,CT Area Real Estate~203-417-0523

There is an occasional wine & cheese brokers opinion of high end properties, but no alcohol at the rest. 

Jan 09, 2017 10:47 AM
Rainmaker
1,546,064
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I've seen a few "Champagne under the stars" or Wine & Cheese events paired with gourmet catering and a live band and dancing at some of the more extravagent evening brokers opens.

Me, I feel the liability and risk is too great, so I do not serve booze.

Dec 12, 2016 11:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,657,502
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC • Short Sale • Probate

Yes, we have them quite often but I never experienced any issues during my OH or someone's else. 

Dec 11, 2016 07:22 PM
Rainmaker
1,157,847
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Some agents may do this but I don't track it.  I don't handle liability issues of other agents.

Dec 11, 2016 03:55 PM
Rainmaker
4,322,295
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, Broker, Tacoma Washington - not that I am aware of. Remember vaguely that happened earlier - and we had to sign some disclosure...

Dec 11, 2016 02:55 PM
Rainmaker
1,758,837
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

I don't work with my broker. I have no idea; though I doubt it

Dec 11, 2016 02:48 PM
Rainmaker
5,291,948
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I do not have alcohol at them or even house warming parties.

 

Dec 11, 2016 11:34 AM
Rainmaker
773,486
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

I see wine at a lot of these, but very little is consumed.

Dec 11, 2016 08:21 AM
Rainmaker
8,235,449
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Sometimes. Every smart agent has liability insurance coverage.

Dec 11, 2016 08:13 AM
Ambassador
5,201,631
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

No it's prohibited by the MLS and our local Board but I suspect it happens, especially for the twilight open houses

Dec 11, 2016 08:04 AM
Rainmaker
1,618,024
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

We do not

Dec 11, 2016 07:57 AM
Rainmaker
5,585,039
Barbara Todaro
Retired...Mentoring Newbies - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

OMG... no alcohol.... tremendous liability....

Dec 11, 2016 07:16 AM
Rainer
213,318
Dennis Swartz
Full Circle Property Management - Columbus, OH
MBA, GRI...experience counts!

Never did, but thats an interesting concept!

Dec 11, 2016 07:01 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,257
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, Broker, Tacoma Washington I haven't been to one in a while, but the last one I did attend did no serve alcohol beverages. I would say because of the liability.

Dec 11, 2016 06:22 AM
Rainmaker
5,557,667
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Have had them without problems. It is a stop by not the local watering hole. Never have had to ask anyone to leave.

Dec 11, 2016 06:13 AM
Rainmaker
3,627,477
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Some do however, it won't happen at our agency

Dec 11, 2016 05:51 AM
Rainmaker
936,418
Jeff Pearl
Samson Properties / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Maybe, but that is a risk no agent or broker should take. I think it would betetr to have a drawing for a nice bottle of wine, or a 6 pack of one of the local craft beers. Winner can drink it at home.

Dec 11, 2016 05:46 AM
Rainmaker
1,713,581
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I haven't been to one in years but yes, there are afternoons with wine. The last one I did with alcohol scared me becasue we had champgne and some people left pretty soused.

Dec 11, 2016 05:23 AM
Rainmaker
1,014,138
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

Very few broker opens ever in this area - and never with alcohol

Dec 11, 2016 05:22 AM
Rainmaker
3,417,356
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

There is but I do not. I have quite the story why not, and it will make a great blog this week. 

Dec 11, 2016 05:16 AM
Rainmaker
1,875,058
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

We used to do that also. Now we give the wine away unopened as a gift.

Dec 11, 2016 05:07 AM
Rainmaker
824,029
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
California Real Estate Specialist

I used to see it all the time, but not in the past few years except for special open houses by invite only.

Dec 11, 2016 04:56 AM
Rainmaker
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Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

no

Dec 11, 2016 04:35 AM
Rainmaker
5,387,721
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

As I don't typically attend broker opens, I really don't know. But I've not seen it at the occasional ones I have attended.

Dec 11, 2016 04:18 AM