I think that is a great idea. You could also invite all the neighbors to meet the newbies and have a block party. Or, provide the burgers and dogs and ask the neighbors to bring side dishes. Thanks Larry. You got me thinking early this morning, so I will be tapped out about noon. lol

I LOVE THE IDEA OF "Hosting a Party" for your buyers!  I think it is excellent and definitely beneficial.  However, I don't think it is right to try to "steal" someone elses clients by helping the people who buy your listings with this as they have their own agent!  How would you feel if someone did this to one of your clients and you found out about it?

Think about that, it just doesn't seem right!

Mike Klijanowicz

http://www.isellmdhomes.com

I recently tried this innovative tactic with a tear-down.  The attendance was a little soft; and I appear to have realized a negative ROI. Should have I tried chicken instead of hamburgers??

Larry, Great idea! The money you spend doing this will get a much better return than any advertising money of the same amount. I like the way you think!

In my previous career we made a point of trying to do more "internal marketing" as opposed to "external marketing" because internal marketing pays off so much better and costs less. Your idea is what I would call "internal marketing".

Good call! I have a broker pal up north who takes a grand every season and hosts an appreciation party at her home .  .  . invites her SOI and tells them to invite a guest. Has her support people, mortgage pals etc also in attendance. Great source of fun and business.

Our office is hosting a party this weekend at a local place we call the "Weary Travelers".  Buffet dinner, live blues band.  They keep gettiing more and more expensive, though, because of word-of-mouth!  People who didn't attend the last one heard about the good time and everyone's attending this year!  Our meeting this am was all about party logistics.  We barely had time to talk about listings/sales!

I like the housewarming party.  Sounds much more cost-effective.

Our Tooele office does a reverse housewarming. It's a going away party for the client with invitations going out to all families in the farm area.  usually they hold it in the local park, and barbeque burgers and dogs.  Neighbors get involved by bringing side dishes.

They rent those large plastic ballon like water slides, or enclosed trampolines, so the kids want to come.

Chris and Berna claim they have never failed to list a property in "their farm " because of the event. It also provides an opportunity to visit with potential clients.  

This is a great idea.  I agree with Bill, your money is much better spent.   I thought Corie was going to say a going away party for the listing client.  This would also be a good idea.

Thank you for this great idea.  Wonderful.

I tried the housewarming party a couple of times.  The first one, the poor buyer didn't have any friends who would commit to coming and we ended up canceling and the other was a so-so.

I learned about this tactic through Buffini - the idea is to get the addresses & phone #'s of the client's friends and to send the invitations yourself.  Then, you meet them at the party and they are added to your data base.

Another take on this would be to offer to send the change of address notifications to your client's friends and family.  You get the address & phone # list...mail the address changes, call to confirm they received them.

An excellent idea Larry.  I however, would not host a party for the other side.  Don't want to branded as a thief.  Word gets around and agents may not want to work with you.