Who benefits from an Open House?  In ski country, we used to say that it made the seller happy.  Rarely did a buyer venture into our listings that were being held open.  Neighbors came by and said "Hello", got some decorating ideas or they were able to value their own property.

Now, things are truly changing.  Buyers are thrilled to be able to see an actual home or condominium instead of spending time in a real estate office.  Don't get me wrong, sitting at a conference table with your Realtor and being able to look at all of the listings on a big-screen tv is a fantastic way to get a lot of information very quickly.  But stepping foot in a beautiful cabin in the high country can truly allow you to imagine yourself in your mountain getaway, getting ready for an incredible day of biking or skiing.

And neighbor?  PLEASE come by and say "hello"!  The real estate agent will appreciate the visit and who knows?  Maybe your cousin wants to purchase something in the area and you've just made an incredible contact.  Real estate is a relationship business and the better you feel about your real estate professional, the happier for all concerned!  So I say that Open Houses are here to stay and whether or not you are in the real estate market now, stop by those Open Houses and take a look!