Press Release

More Than 1.1 Million Prospective Buyers Visited Weichert, Realtors' Open Houses in 2004

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. -- Attendance at Weichert, Realtors’® public open houses has hit an all-time high.

James M. Weichert, president, reported that the number of interested buyers attending Weichert® open houses in 2004 topped the one million mark, setting a new company record.

“Last year more than 1.1 million potential buyers signed our open house guest registers and viewed the homes,” he said. “That is a testament both to the robust demand for homes and the strength of the Weichert Open House Program.”

Those one million-plus open house visitors translated to sterling results for Weichert home sellers. According to the company’s ongoing tabulations, approximately 3 out of every 10 Weichert open houses lead directly to a home sale. “To our knowledge, that’s a record of success unmatched in real estate,” Weichert said.

What makes the industry-leading Weichert Open House Program so singularly successful? The key, Weichert said, is a multi-step, multi-pronged strategy meticulously designed both to maximize attendance and increase the possibility that the home will sell as a result.

To attract the greatest number of potential buyers, virtually all Weichert open houses are showcased in advance on Weichert’s popular Web site, www.weichert.com. Online buyers are invited to make a “Weichert Weekend” of it and can actually print out a list of weekend open houses that match their criteria, along with directions routing them to each home they wish to visit.

In addition, open houses may be advertised locally and in the real estate sections of major newspapers where Weichert runs highly visible full-page ads. And on the day of the open house, where permitted by the municipality, directional signs streaming with balloons make it easy for people to find the open house they’re looking for, while also attracting buyers casually scouting out the area.

Just as crucial to the Weichert strategy is the extensive training that sales associates receive in how to professionally prepare for and conduct a successful open house. Integral to that are proven tools and customized materials. For example, a mortgage sheet is prepared in advance to show potential buyers how flexible and affordable financing for that home can be. From Weichert, Realtors’ standpoint, it’s critical that people who walk into a Weichert open house have all the information they want and need to make a buying decision.

Citing a telling statistic from the National Association of Realtors®, Weichert noted that 73% of all homebuyers visit at least one open house as part of their home search. He said, “Buyers love the convenience of open houses. The Weichert Open House Program is something we’re continually refining to make it more valuable both to buyers searching for the right home and sellers seeking a solid sale at a good price.”

Weichert, based in Morris Plains, N.J., has more than 14,300 sales associates in nearly 320 company-owned and franchised sales offices in key markets throughout the U.S. A family of full-service real estate and financial services companies, Weichert helps customers buy and sell both residential and commercial real estate, and streamlines the delivery of mortgages and home and title insurance. For more information, call Weichert's customer service center at 1-800-USA SOLD or visit Weichert's Web site, www.weichert.com. Each Weichert franchised office is independently owned and operated.