On Sunday July 19 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, more than 40 agents representing 18 real estate brokerages located throughout Westchester and Putnam counties will host a “Day of the Open Door” community open house event for antique houses. The houses which were built between 1750 and 1929 are all currently on the market. Prices range from $175,000 to $1,939,000.
81 Glendale Road, Ossining, listed at $1,939,000, is one of the homes being shown during “Day
of the Open Door,” Sunday, July 19, 2015, from 1 pm to 4 pm. Listing agent: Bill Primavera,
William Raveis Real Estate, 914-522-2076.
This open house event is significant in that Westchester and Putnam agents – regardless of broker affiliation – have come together to achieve a common strategic objective. “We know that selling an antique house can be problematic.” said Vicki Jimpson-Fludd, the creator and organizer of the event, as well as agent with Better Homes & Garden Rand Realty’s Briarcliff Manor office. “It not only requires a special buyer, but also special marketing.”
“With the advent of the internet, we know that, in general, buyers are not always local. We also know that the majority of buyers, even those who are local, use the internet to conduct their searches 24/7. When they find a house they like, they drive-by; and, if the curb appeal meets their expectations, they attend an open house to view the interior, usually without an agent.
“This process works well if the buyer is planning to buy a contemporary, suburban house.
However, because there are few antique houses in any given location, finding the right house can be a tedious process, even using the best internet search techniques. “The real estate business has changed dramatically; and, in response, we agents have to change the way we do business. The antique house market gives us the opportunity to study a small market segment and develop a workable approach to it. We have to engage the buyer much earlier in the purchase decision process.
“Similar to the internet, we have to find a convenient way to present an array of houses at a single point in time so that buyers can compare and contrast interesting properties – in real time. More importantly, we need to respect the buyers’ independence.
“Our ‘Day of the Open Door’ event does just that. Potential buyers can visit as many houses as they wish in a single afternoon. During their visit they can talk directly to the listing agent – the person who knows almost as much about the house as the owner. Most importantly, during the open house event, buyers can change their purchase criteria on a whim, and explore other locations and price points, all while being served by a knowledgeable real estate professional.”
To know all participating listings, visit: http://www.rivertownscountryhomes.com/day-of-the-open-door/
and on Facebook, visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Day-of-the-Open-Door