Why I Like Neighbors -- Reason #37

"Nosy Neighbor?" Try, Best Ally

At least to some Realtors, neighbors are time-wasters and tire kickers.

They come through open houses not to buy, but to see how their Kitchen compares with their neighbor's, to get interior decorating ideas, or to see what their own home is likely worth.

All (occasionally) true, but neighbors can also be the best salespeople for their block -- who better to field a question about local schools, kids on the block, nearby shopping, etc.: the next-door-neighbor . . . or the Realtor trying to collect a commission?

Neighbors at open houses know who they are -- but prospective Buyers typically don't.

All they know is that the house that they may be interested in buying is full of lots of other prospective Buyers, too.

Free Recruiting

It's also the case that neighbors recruit their friends to move nearby.

Holding an open yesterday in Golden Valley, the next-door-neighbor came over to tell me that she was hosting a party for her son's football team later that afternoon.

If I gave her a stack of marketing flyers, she was happy to set them out where her house full of guests would see them.

I did . . . and she did.

Marketing to Neighbors

Open Houses and "Nosy Neighbors"

When I hold Sunday open houses, one of my top, target audiences -- at least the first weekend -- are the neighbors.

Not because a neighbor is likely to buy the home, but because they might know someone who will. Sometimes, an especially motivated neighbor will even recruit a Buyer.

Even if neither is true, there are still other reasons to enlist the neighbors' help.

I can think of two, really good ones:

One. They're more credible selling the neighborhood to prospective Buyers. Think about it -- who would you more readily believe about locals schools, restaurants, etc., someone who lives on the block, or a Realtor trying to sell the home?

I've hosted more than a few open houses when a neighbor will literally interrupt me answering a question about nearby parks, kids on the block, etc. and give their own, enthusiastic and informed answer.

Two. Neighbors help fill up the open house and create "buzz."

The neighbors know who they are, and you know who they are (they always tell you) . . . . but prospective Buyers don't (that is, unless they start fielding questions, per above).

All prospective Buyers know is that the the house is full of people. If they like the house, their natural inclination is to think that the other people going through are prospective Buyers, too.

That kind of nervousness makes people hurry up and write offers.