by Wayne D. Lewis,
Realtor
Guide to Holding Open Houses in New Orleans
during a super season of Saints Football –Who Dat!
In
New Orleans, there is sports, and then, there are the Saints! As quiet as it can be kept, because it can’t really
be kept too quietly, Saint’s
2014-2015 is about to kick into high gear. And, being realistic, if your home is on the
market, you will have to consider creative strategies to compete with the
allure, the excitement and spectacle of a football team that is destined to
reach its second Super Bowl Championship for the 2014-15 season. Bias?
A little more than slightly. But
I also know that there are homes on the market that are, without a doubt, just
as spectacular and offer a world of variety, historical value, comfort and location,
if not savings and equity in the New Orleans area. The question is, how does one market
competitively, their home against the hometown team of the New Orleans Saints? Especially, as this appears to be a season to
top the 2008-09 season that produced the New Orleans Saints as the 2009 Super
Bowl Champions.
To
suggest that there is an absolute way to market during this exciting season,
would be an error in judgment, even for the most experienced set of real estate
professionals, or homeowners. In order
to market one’s home during what promises to be a very exciting Saints season,
one must have a set of plays ready to deploy at strategic moments during the
next 17 weeks. Of course, any of these
plays that we use to market our homes may have to evolve more as we become more
aware of the fact that the football season is not wholly made up of just the
Saints playing, but that the Saints are on a mission. And, in marketing our homes, we too must be on
a mission that either equals or excels the excitement of the New Orleans Saints
and all that that means to New Orleans.
As
the Saints season fires up due to the high probability of a great winning
season, it is going to be very challenging to get even the most pressing buyer
out to our homes that are on the market.
We have to step up our game when it comes to marketing our homes this
season in preparation for the Saints to win this season’s Super Bowl. Hold on, it’s about to get wild up in New
Orleans, and we need to be in it to win it to sell even the most prepared home,
regardless of “location, location, location”.
But, we have to start somewhere. So,
let’s get started.
As
the season kicks off, know that as homeowners, it is important to be aware that
we have buyers who are very knowledgeable about the timing of buying and
selling a home, particularly as the home buying season takes a turn for a
slower period just after Labor Day.
There
is also the possibility, that there is an outlier that, although not sports
related, may also play a nation-wide role in why homes are more competitive to
sell during football season: school is in.
Whether as parents of students, or students ourselves, home buyers who
may potentially buy homes are also focused on some form of school, even if it
is high school football. To that end,
the football season maybe a source of release from studying, or from helping the
kids’ with their homework. In New
Orleans, it is very likely that if not our New Orleans Saints’ magnetic draw
alone, there are other worthy distractions that homeowners have to design a
play that causes even the most resourceful buyer to be drawn off-side, to
take a look at their home on the market.
In New Orleans, it’s nothing personal, but Saints Football as a factor
in selling a home is not being taught in Real Estate classes. The only other greater distraction in the marketing of our homes in New Orleans is Mardi Gras!
Check
Out the Saint’s Schedule (See link below):
A. 17 Week Challenge-If you check the schedule above, or
pull out your own, there are approximately 8 home games between September 7,
and December 28, 2014. While that means
that there are 8, possibly 9 other weeks (Bye-week) for homeowners to bring
their A-game during the weeks that there are away games, don’t count your chickens just yet.
B. The
Bye-week-October 12,
2014 will be perhaps one of the best opportunities to make sure that a home on
the market is ready to kick an onside kick.
That means don’t allow that week to get away so that buyers, who may
possibly be somewhat down, depressed, or hungry for something to satisfy their
hunger for awesome entertainment should have, at the very least, something
compelling to grab their attention, even if for 10-15 minutes to view a house
that is on the market.
C. High
Noon-11 of the 16
games for this season will be played between 12 and 1p.m. While it is easy to conclude that these games
usually last about 3 hours, one has to be aware that even if buyers aren’t
going to go to a game, they are still
going to be in game-mode in New
Orleans. One local radio station
broadcasts anywhere from 3-4 hours before the game (whether in the Dome or not),
and 3-4 hours after the game, plus broadcasts
the game itself. For those who want to
hear how the players will be analyzed, dissected and praised, for the true die-hards
of us that love the Saints, the challenge to hold an Open House has to include
a radio or TV near-by that is tuned into some form of Saint’s oriented play-by-play
during an Open House. Why? Because if anyone walks through that door,
you need to be prepared to tell them the score from the time they walked from
the car, around the corner, or if they flew in on a magic carpet. It’s a challenge for a die-hard Saints fan to
go to an Open House, so, at the very least, if you don’t know the score, have
the game on. Be ready for some extra
company too. Make it a festive
atmosphere while you have visitors.
D. Off-Sunday
Games-An opportunity to hold an Open House also comes when, if we are
lucky, the Saints play during the week.
For example, they play 2 Monday Night games (November 24 & December
15), the Ravens and the Bears, respectively. This leaves Sunday, November 23rd
and December 14 wide open to do a Quarterback sneak. The Saints also play a Thursday night game on
October 30, 2014, where they play the Steelers.
So, that November 2, 2014 is an opening in the offensive line to rush
the passer, so to speak, and get an Open House in that sacks a buyer with a ready
to view, and contract-ready display.
E. Risky
Games to Hold an Open House Against (my opinion)- If it isn’t too late, please be
ready for the Saints vs Atlanta (September 7) or, Atlanta vs the Saints
(December 21). Whether they play here in
New Orleans, or in Atlanta, holding an Open House will make you the equivalent
of the old “Maytag Repairman”. Let’s be
real. Atlanta and New Orleans have one
of the biggest, deepest, longest love-hate relationships of any team in the
NFL. Let’s keep it real. If you don’t know this, you don’t know
nothing about New Orleans Football, particularly, the New Orleans Saints and
Atlanta. We don’t discuss this in mixed
company, but New Orleans fans refer to the Atlanta Falcons as the “Dirty Birds”. (But you didn’t hear that from me). During these two matchups, very little gets
done in and around the city. If
anything, tail-gating takes on a greater level.
It’s not only hotdogs, burgers, wings, but also ribs, gumbo, dirty rice,
jambalaya, and an assortment of beverages, which we won’t name here. All of your work to try to get anyone to come
and look at your home will be for naught.
You may as well bring your TV or radio, because you will be watching the
game by yourself, and hardly anyone will venture to your property on the market. But, nothing beats a failure but a try, as
long as it includes something to eat, drink and, at the very least, something
to listen to the game. It is a risk to
hold an Open House during these 2 games, but have something in your arsenal
equivalent to a Hail Mary play that will get the most definitive Saints-Falcon
fan to bring their happy little feet to anyone’s Open House. Just saying.
Now,
let’s get out our playbooks, and design a set of plays that could possibly
bring potential buyers to our homes during another fantastic Saints’ season.[i]
Showings
i.
Sunday Open Houses still draw some interested
buyers, some of whom may still be on the fence.
However, during football seasons, that Sunday Open House has to be
strategic. It has to be either on a
By-week; a week where the Saints are playing a Monday-night game, a
Thursday-night game, or a late Sunday-night game. These are small windows of opportunities for
your home to really “pop”. Many other
homes are on the market during these times, and your home has a very limited
opportunity when the majority of those potentially serious home buyers will
actually go out to see what’s on the market;
ii.
Saturday and Dusk Open Houses-These are the opportunities to step
out of the box. A Saturday Open House,
during the football season, in New Orleans, is not without its’ drawbacks as
well. The number one football team in
LA, LSU occupies 8-12 weeks of free time as well. Knowing their schedule helps to produce a
better turnout of potential buyers.
iii.
When They Come-When potential buyers come, what do
you do? It is not enough that they
showed up, as the seller, you need to show up to, figuratively (you don’t need
to be present during Open Houses). As
your Realtor will share with you, they can show your home, but it is important
that you as the seller present a home that is ready to be sold. Here are some additional tips:
1. Smells-use odor neutralizing sprays
or unscented candles;
2. Make sure doorknobs and handles are
tightly in place;
3. Make up beds, clean out closets
4. Even if in the process of moving,
stack any boxes in the garage, or arrange to place in storage
5. Make sure lighting is perfect-have
all light bulbs replaced
6. Correct any running toilets
The
Competitive Edge-
During the football season, a home
on the market is in good company. Per
the local MLS reading,
there are over 1000 residential properties for sale right now, in the New
Orleans area, going into the regular football season. Some may have contracts pending that aren’t
recorded, or other factors maybe in play.
But the number of homes that are actually on the market can’t be that
far off from my review. Your home, now
more than ever, has to step up her game.
It’s time to huddle, throw away the Summer season of marketing your home
where you may have had a high visitor-rate because school was closed, or
families were vacationing in the New Orleans area. Get ready to pull out the
winning plays that are going to help you market your home effectively. Let’s see what we can suggest.
A. Nighttime- Believe it or not, buyers look at homes at
night, as well. They drive through the
neighborhoods that have potential homes for sale. A home with a For Sale sign in front of a well-lighted home gives potential
buyers an extra sense of comfort. In
addition to the aesthetic view of the home, security is also important, as a well-lighted
home conveys a sense of security.
B. Day
time-During the
day, if your home has landscaping that has not been upgraded, this would be
that time! It’s not enough to have the
grass cut, make it look manicured. Make
sure the roses are pruned, the hedges may need to have a little shape to
them. Additionally, if an old car hasn’t
been re-moved from in front of the house in some time, have it towed off. Also during the day time, although you may be
at work, it would be a plus to make sure your home appears occupied-lived in
and enjoyed. Leave blinds open, hang
some plants from the porch and water them.
The water on the porch will suggest that you take care of the home.
C. Throw
A Party! Well, not really, but one of the things that
I find particularly noteworthy is that sometimes neighbors have a family member
that they would love to move near them.
Get to know your neighbors (preferably before having to sell your
home). Invite them over for a private
showing or little get together. It’s
possible that neighbor maybe reminded of a family member who may just love your
home. You may want to find out who your
neighbor’s favorite team is (other than the Saints). Select a day when and
where football won’t be a distraction (at least try). Perhaps you can have a catered event and
invite immediate neighbors, church members, or invite colleagues from work over
to your home while it is on the market.
During this time, have information out on the home, including any
financial assistance, your agent information, and perhaps a disclosure on your
home. If they have any questions, refer
them to your agent.
D. Bulletin
Boards-While your
agent is marketing in newspapers, on-line and the like, you as a homeowner have
access to locations that your agent doesn’t have access to (your job, for
example). Unless disallowed, put flyers
of your home on the bulletin board of the lunch rooms. You can put tear off sheets on the flyer for
potential buyers to call your agent.
Church is also a great place to put up a flyer with your agent’s contact
information.
Conclusion
We
have just shared a few suggestions as to how to take it to another level on
marketing your home against an awesome team season of the New Orleans
Saints. Buyers are still on the prowl,
but they will have to be distracted by a hard-count, that draws them off-side,
if but for a commercial break, to see your home. Noting most importantly, that it doesn’t
really matter if you get a buyer into the home if it is a disappointment. Make sure your home shines, like the Lombardi
Trophy. In addition to curb appeal, which is nothing
to take for granted, the first 2-3 steps inside your home’s front entrance must
be captivating, inspiring and motivating to a potential buyer, who has to feel
like they are walking into an atmosphere worthy of taking time out from the
half-time break of 15 minutes, so that even if they go back and watch the game,
they are marking their scorecard with your home in mind. Make this Saint season the right season to
sell your home, so that you cannot only celebrate the sale of your home, but
the Saints historic second winning of the Super Bowl. Make Your Best Offer!
Speaker: If you are looking for a speaker to speak to
your community group or school, please contact Wayne Lewis at waynelewissoldit@gmail.com
Disclaimer: Not to be considered as legal advice. Not intended to solicit the business or
clients of another broker. Information
here is believed to be from reliable sources but not guaranteed. Information
contained herein should not be considered as an endorsement of any products or
services.
[i]
Consult with your respective New Orleans Realtor(s) before enacting or
following these suggestions, as your situation(s) may vary. Or, call your Realtor of choice for their
suggestions on how best to market your home during the Saints 2014-15
super-winning season.
Labels: Bye-Week, Gumbo, Jambalaya, New Orleans Mardi Gras, New Orleans Real Estate, New Orleans Saints, NFL Football, Open House, Saints Schedule, Saints Winning Season, Super Bowl 2014
