Most Prices are Firm...A Three Day Open House

The day started off with torrential liquid sunshine! I just did not go to the Open House/Yard Sale in the morning, but got to the house around noon when the sun came out. From then on it was a beautiful afternoon.

What a sight! The place was busy and cars were parked on the front lawn leaving barely enough room for the "Open" signs. My wonderful seller told me that she arrived before 7:00 a.m. and there were customers waiting in the downpour to get inside. These were real professional shoppers, or else they truly believe .... the early bird gets the worm.

I was surprised at how much of the stuff was sold, and how much I was enjoying the process, watching the people arrive, then seeing what "treasures" they found.

Someone asked, "Oh, is this for sale? Is the washer for sale?" The seller brought one of her brothers over to discuss this possibility in a quick group meeting. First it was a "No," I want to leave it for the buyer of the house. But my suggestion, take another look, they are far from new or pristine, and anyone buying the house is going to want a newer, cleaner model. OK now let's decide what price to place on it. (You know that old saying, "everything is for sale for the right price!") We asked the customer what he was willing to pay for the machine, but nope, he did not want to play. He asked for a price; it was given. He lives down the street and he wanted to think about it. Bet he returns before the sale was over.

I loved watching people peruse all the books, many of them children's. They were wrapped in groups - a stack of five books in a series for two bucks, bought by a neighbor with four young boys. Now that's a buy. A young preteen found a pair of badminton rackets for another $2.

We closed up around 3 pm, with lots of stuff gone already. Good feelings all around, neighbors had stopped by and it seemed everyone left with something.

There were more special feelings among the brothers and good friends who were all gladly helping with the sale. At one point a brother found some of "Daddy's tools." No, he did not need them, but they were tools that someone special used a long time ago. He also took an old bike that he plans to restore; you can't put a price on those memories. And how fortunate I was to share a bit of the history and the family and the closeness.

I went down again the next day and this time we had gorgeous weather all day. More people came by, things were sold. The washing machine was gone...bought by another customer.

So many people, still buying glasses, dishes, an old coffee pot. "Ooh, ooh, look it's an antique!...and it's $3. Not much reason to bargain. The items were priced to sell.

At least we are accomplishing our first goal – to get the stuff cleared out so we can sell this house. 2414 Lodge Farm Rd. 21219 Baltimore County, Maryland.

This house needs paint and carpet....right now make me an offer "as is"! Don't you love the green sign "Most Prices are Firm!"

Another special part of this experience... the owner had so much family pitching in.... they took shifts to make sure she was never alone. I am so fortunate to be working with such darn good people!

A Three-Day Open House! Yes...Three Full Days!

We have been working on getting this home on the market, but 13 years worth of "stuff" has accumulated at 2414 Lodge Farm Rd. 21219 Baltimore County, Maryland.

As you can see, it is a delightful three bedroom three full bath rancher with a full basement, a shed, and two-car garage. There's lots of room, but it is full of things to be gotten rid of…I mean sold. The seller is planning an estate sale, aka indoor yard sale, garage sale, or whatever you would call it.

There are books and shoes and sheets and pillows, and toys and dishes and glasses and electronics and comic books and furniture...you name it.

So we thought, let's do something a bit different. Let's have a three-day open house. If the estate sale is going on for three full days, there will be people in the house, so why not take advantage of the traffic? Well, why not?

So I am going to post the Open House on the MLS, as well as on Active Rain, running an ad in the newspaper, using local flyers, and putting up "Open House" signs.

First, we want to sell the things in the house, but maybe there will be someone who is interested in purchasing this gem. Paint and carpeting will make this home sparkle.

You may know that I don't do open houses – well, not traditional Sunday open houses. But it won't be the first time I have had an unusual Open House.

Remember the Piggy TRAC Bar B Que Open House! and how about this one, Not Your Every Day Open House , the champagne and popcorn Open House? Those last two sold, and that's the point of trying something a bit unusual. What do I have to do in this market to get the houses sold? First, they must be priced right and then they must be seen! This is just another way of getting more traffic in the property.

This is a very special client whom I met many years ago. I have sold another property for her and we are going to sell this one hopefully with the same amount of luck. Another time I will post the story of this remarkable woman.

So here's your chance to see a not-your-usual Open House and maybe pick up a bargain in the process. We are starting at 7:00 am on Friday, April 3, 8:00am on Saturday, April 4, and 7:00am on Sunday, April 5. Please come join us for this very different Open House. It is going to be a beautiful spring weekend