Field Guide to Open Houses
(Updated December 2006)
NAR's 2006 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers indicates 47% of all buyers used open houses as a source in their home search process. This figure suggests the value of open houses even in our cyberspace era. Conversely, potential danger for REALTORS® at open houses remains a significant concern. The articles, links and statistics in this Field Guide will help REALTORS® increase their open house success as well as provide tips on personal safety. (D. Foligno, Project Coordinator)
Contents:
Open House Pros and Cons | Preparing for an Open House | Security at an Open House | eBooks & Other Resources
Explore all escape routes
Log visitor license plate numbers
Always walk behind the prospect
Call office every hour
Keep cell phone & car keys with you
Ask neighbors to be watchful
Source: Safety at Open Houses, (NAR's 2006 Safety Week).
Open House Pros & Cons 
Opening doors with open houses, (Columbus Board of REALTORS®, Apr. 2007).
Cooling market lifts lid on old debate, (Washington Post, May 2006).
Is an open house a waste of time?, (MSN Real Estate, 2006).
Humorous anecdotes: open houses, (REALTOR® Magazine Online, 2006).
Hosting an open house, (Texas Association of REALTORS®, Oct. 2005).
How to hold an open house, (Mortgage-Investments. com).
Spruce up an open house, (REALTOR® Magazine Online, Sept. 2006).
Mm, mm good open house, (REALTOR® Magazine, June 2006).
7 steps to preparing for an open house, (REALTOR® Magazine).
Tips to improve your curb appeal, (Realty Times, June 2003).
The real job of REALTOR® Safety, (Houston Association of REALTORS®, Oct. 2006).
Use caution when hosting an open house, (Houston Association of REALTORS®, Sept. 2006).
Better safe than sorry, (Dayton Business Journal, Jan. 2005).
Showing property the safe way, (North Carolina Association of REALTORS®, 2004).
REALTOR® Safety dos and don'ts, (CityofMesa.org, 2004).
Open with caution, (California Association of REALTOR®, Jan. 2004).
Be safe at listings, (Ohio REALTOR®, June 2003).
Personal safety guide, (Washington Real Estate Safety Council).
eBooks & Other Resources
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Open with caution, (California Real Estate, Jan/Feb. 2004, p. 29, 36-37).
The best sale is a safe sale, (Crawford Productions). VT329
Personal safety for real estate professionals, (Chicago, IL: National Association of REALTORS®, 1992). VT134
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to REALTOR® Safety
>> Have an idea for a new Field Guide? Click here to send us your suggestions!
The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
