Last week I hosted an Open House and had 150 attendees!  I kid you not!  This is something I will definately be doing more often. 

Here's the story.  I have a builder who bought a site with 4 delapitated homes on it located in a private small waterfront community and adjacent to two additional waterfront communities in Stamford, CT.  The first home to be completed was a restoration and expansion of a Victorian style home.  Three weeks before completion, I sent out a large post card invite to all three communities for a total mail of 320 homes.  The invite was for a neighborhood Open House that included a celebration with appetizers and wine for the hours of 5:30 - 7:30pm on a Wed.  The home was completed in time, I spent about $300 to stage it, got a mortgage broker to sponsor the food and wine and put up a sign the day of.  It was a HUGE success!  People did not just come and go, they hung out with their friends and neighbors, made new friends, talked up the house and took every last brochure! 

Why I tried this?  Because I believe that people who love their neighborhoods are the best people to help market a home especially when inventory is so high.  Also, neighbors always want to see what's going on and typically they go to an open house feeling guilty about prying.  This time they were invited.  The mortgage broker got to talk to many potential clients first hand as well.  My web site hits have surged as too.

In this market, it's time to think outside of the box.  To view this fabulous newly listed property, go to www.homesoffairfieldcounty.com.