Transform Your Broker Opens: Expert Tips Inside

Let me tell you a little story. It’s a tale of success and failure, and you can decide which side you want to land on. I’m Kathy Byrnes, a realtor here in Lake Norman, North Carolina—just north of Charlotte. This is Real Estate Riches, where I share tips and education that you can benefit from. So, grab a seat, subscribe, and share this with your buddies because we’re diving into an experience that shows exactly what to do—and what not to do—when hosting a broker open.

Kathy’s Broker Open Experience

So, here’s the scoop. Today, before recording this video, I went to a broker open. It was scheduled from 12:00 to 2:00 PM, and as you’d expect, I thought there would be food. That's usually what draws in agents. I decided to check out this $2.3 million property on 8 acres. Sounded intriguing, right? I drove over in my classic car—probably not the best choice for this trip, as I soon discovered.

Now, I’ve been in this neighborhood before, and I know it well because my daughter used to live right around the corner. I knew the price point was a bit high for the area, but with 8 acres, I thought, "Hey, let me go see what’s going on."

First Impressions Matter

As I approached the property, my GPS said I was just about there. But guess what? No signs. Zero. Nada. Big mistake. Even if it's a broker open, you need to have signage—flags, banners, something! A sign that says “Broker Open” in big, bold letters would’ve been a game-changer.

I finally made the turn into the property, and as soon as I did, I hit a huge dip in the driveway. And this wasn’t just any driveway—this was a big, expensive stone setup. Not the kind of thing you want to damage, but also not a good look for first impressions. Then, as I wound up the hill toward the house, I noticed a massive tree fallen across a beautiful stone bridge. They’d cut it just enough so cars could get through, but still—why not clean it up beforehand?

You’ve got to remember: first impressions matter. Whether it’s agents or potential buyers, you want to show your property in its best light. If there are issues, fix them. Get that front hole patched up and those trees out of the way. And maybe, just maybe, reschedule the open if the property isn’t ready.

Chaos in the Parking Lot

So, I finally make it up the long, winding driveway, dodging tarps hanging from more fallen trees, and reach the house. I was a little frazzled by the time I got to the top, and what do I see? The whole driveway is packed with cars. It was a real mess.

The parking situation wasn’t managed at all. We were all trying to figure out how to back out, squeeze by, and avoid scraping our cars on the giant trees and tarps. A good agent would have anticipated this. They would have planned for someone to help direct traffic, especially with a layout like this.

At this point, I’m thinking, "How’s anyone supposed to get in and out of here safely?" There needed to be someone out there coordinating the parking, ensuring everything ran smoothly.

Inside the House: Where Things Went South

Finally, I managed to park and head inside. I get to the front door and—surprise!—I can’t even open it. I’m yanking and pulling, and eventually, I get in. No furniture. No staging. That’s fine, but it was completely bare. And instead of a welcoming spread, there were just three cups of pretzels. Pretzels.

Look, if you’re inviting brokers and agents to an open house, make it worthwhile. Give them a reason to show up. And if you’re advertising a broker lunch, then have lunch! The idea is to entice agents to come, check out the property, and spread the word. Throw in a gas card or something. Make it fun.

Lack of Problem Solving: A Huge Red Flag

As I was walking around, I realized something: this house was in rough shape. The deck was old, the pool was a mess, and it just looked tired. I started asking the agent on site a few questions about the property and potential issues like parking, but he wasn’t interested in solving problems. In fact, he just walked away mid-conversation.

Here’s the deal: as an agent, you need to be a problem solver. Real estate is full of challenges. It’s your job to address them, not ignore them. If you’re hosting an open house and there’s a parking mess, fix it. If the house has issues, talk about solutions. Don't just brush it off.

What You Should Do at Your Broker Open

Now, let’s flip the script. If you want to do a successful broker open, here’s what you need to remember:

• Marketing: Make sure people know about it. Get vendors involved—mortgage brokers, home inspectors, local businesses. These folks want to be in front of agents, and they’ll gladly help sponsor food or giveaways.
• Food: You don’t have to go overboard, but provide something more than pretzels. Get some subs or a nice salad spread. People appreciate the gesture.
• Signage: Have big, visible flags and signs leading up to the property. Make sure people know they’re in the right place.
• Problem Solving: Be ready to handle issues. If something goes wrong, like parking, have a plan to fix it. Agents and buyers will appreciate your proactive approach.
• Staging and First Impressions: Make sure the property is ready. Clean up the driveway, remove fallen trees, fix the front door—anything that can make or break that first impression.

There’s another agent I know who does high-end properties—anywhere from $2 to $10 million—and he does broker opens right. He rolls up in a luxury car, sets out a gorgeous spread, and makes sure everything runs smoothly. People show up dressed up because they know it’s going to be a classy event. And guess what? He sells his properties fast.

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Let's Connect and Grow Together

If you want to succeed in real estate, especially in this shifting market, you’ve got to treat your broker opens like a business. Plan ahead, solve problems, and make a great first impression. And if you want to be surrounded by people who are going to help you do it right, maybe it’s time we had a conversation.

Book a business strategy call with me. I’d love to help you out. Until then, subscribe, and I’ll see you at the next one!