Realtor Tour Versus Open House

            What is a realtor tour? The easiest way to describe a realtor tour is by simply comparing it to that of an open house. You may have also heard it called a broker's open house or broker's tour. A realtor tour is an event that allows real estate agents to invite other agents to visit an upcoming listing before it is made available for sale to the public. This is an excellent opportunity for other realtors and brokers to become familiar with the upcoming listing and market inventory. During this time, they can provide feedback on pricing and presentation and even bring potential buyers to tour it later. Tours increase the exposure for sellers in the real estate community. Unlike an open house, a realtor tour is specifically for anyone in the real estate profession. In the Bryan/College Station (BCS) MLS (Multiple Listing Service) area, our local realtor tours are held every Tuesday rather than an open house, which is typically held on the weekends.             Preparation for a realtor tour is essential and can also be a lot of fun. You must ensure the home has been cleaned and staged to be well-presented for guests. Marketing, Marketing, Marketing, is a must. Material such as brochures and information sheets are important. Some agents use QR codes and frame them nicely in different areas around the home so visitors can scan them conveniently and have the information uploaded directly onto their phones. You also want to provide refreshments and snacks during the tour. Many agents will have themed events. For example, Cole Bearden hosted a realtor tour in early June and titled it "Sips & Sun Tans." This was a title and theme that fit the hot 90-degree summer day. He offered mojitos and mimosas and had the most beautiful variety of fruit, bread, meats, and cheese laid out on a large charcuterie board for all who visited. Cole created such an excellent environment that allowed all visitors who attended to feel most welcome.             When Oro Realty hosts a realtor tour, it is not only about showcasing Oro's new listing but also about reaping the benefits of the tour. The most important thing is to increase the exposure of your client's property within the real estate industry. At Oro Realty, we hold ourselves and our agents to the Gold Standard and go above and beyond for our clients who have entrusted us with listing their homes. Our priority is to generate the greatest possible interest early in the listing. With realtor tours, you can encourage other agents to recommend the new listing to their clients, and hopefully, this will result in multiple competitive offers early on. The goal is to have more exposure and more potential for a quick sale, which is the desired outcome.             The opinions of other realtors are highly valuable information, such as comparative properties listed by different agents. Pricing, staging, and even marketing strategies can be shared among the professionals. Other agents can share possible concerns, allowing you the time to make the necessary adjustments before the listing "goes live" or is made available to the public. You will frequently see realtors hosting a realtor tour once, and typically, it is early in the listing to increase interest immediately. On average, a realtor tour will last around one to two hours. A more successful tour can occur when you coordinate with other agents with nearby listings. This allows an easier and more convenient schedule for realtors to have the ability to see multiple properties within one tour on a single day.             Advertising your upcoming realtor tour is crucial. I suggest at least two weeks before your event. Updating your MLS listing early on is also vital so that everyone with access can see the upcoming date you have set. This will allow realtors to plan accordingly if they decide to collaborate with their nearby listings. Email invitations, phone calls and texts, social media marketing, and networking with other agents are all great ways to invite other agents to participate in your tour. Offering prizes is also another highly favored marketing strategy that can be implemented to attract a large turnout.             Hosting a realtor tour never replaces an open house; the two are designed to complement each other. The tour is intended for professional feedback and interests, which can help maximize exposure and improve your listing. Your realtor tour is a more professional environment that allows networking amongst agents. Whether or not you decide to guide other agents through the home is solely up to you. Some prefer to walk home alone and chat for more information and handouts at the end of my tour. Open houses are used to target buyers directly and tend to be a more casual environment. Make sure to be punctual and accept the constructive, professional feedback provided by the other real estate professionals. Respect the property and ensure no mess or items are left after the tour.              Realtor tours can lead to success stories, including scenarios where multiple agents bring their clients for private showings shortly after the tour, resulting in competitive offers and quicker sales. For example, Cole's successful realtor tour of his newly listed property resulted in an executed contract within a week, with a full offer due to the initial buzz created by the tour. Overall, be punctual and accept the constructive, professional feedback provided by the other real estate professionals. Respect the property and ensure no mess or items are left after the tour.

Essential Summer Home Maintenance Tips: Keeping Your Property in Top Shape

Summertime is the perfect opportunity to focus on the maintenance of your home. The warmer weather and extra time during the day will allow you to tackle home projects to ensure your property remains in excellent condition. Regular maintenance helps preserve your home's value and will save you in the long run with overdue repair costs. We have put a checklist for summer home maintenance as a guideline to help you keep your home in top shape.   Check the HVAC System: Replacing the Air Filters: As summer temperatures rise, you want to ensure your HVAC system runs efficiently. Replacing your air filters will help improve the system's air quality and lifespan. Clean the Ducts and Vents: Clean your vents regularly by removing dust and built-up debris to ensure good airflow. Schedule Professional Inspections: It is vital to have a professional inspect your HVAC system to catch and service potential issues early on.   Roof Inspections Damage Check: Roof inspections should be performed regularly to ensure there are no missing shingles or tiles or early signs of wear and tear, especially during hurricane season. Cleaning Gutters: You want to make sure leaves, twigs, and debris are not clogging your gutters, which can lead to water damage. Check for leaks: Check your attic and ceiling for areas of water damage, and take care of these as soon as possible.   Lawn Up-keep Mow Regularly: Grass height is essential, so keep your lawn neatly mowed. Water Daily: Watering your lawn should be done early in the morning or later in the evenings; watering during cooler hours of the day will reduce evaporation. Fertilizing: Lawn feed and fertilizers will help your grass stay green and healthy.   Exterior Maintenance Pressure Washing: Remove the dirt and grime from your home by cleaning the siding, sidewalks, and driveway. Paint Touch-Ups: Touch up chipping and peeling paint on your home exterior. Window and Door Inspections: Sealing cracks and gaps around the doors and windows will improve energy efficiency.   Patio and Deck Care Damage Inspection: Repairing loose boards, nails, and screws is necessary. Seal and Clean: A sealant protects your patio from the elements. Furniture Maintenance: Replacing worn and missing furniture pieces will keep your patio looking nice.   Check Your Plumbing Check for Leaks: Repair sprinkler, hose, and faucet leaks to prevent wasting water. Cleaning Drains: To avoid clogs, cleaning our drains by removing any debris is essential. Check Water Pressure: Keeping your water pressure at a safe range will reduce strain on your plumbing system.   Regular Pest Control Seal Cracks: Seal entry points to reduce pest entry areas. Remove Standing Water: Mosquito breeding occurs in standing water, so removing it is important. Natural Repellants: Natural repellants can be safely used around your home and garden to prevent unwanted insects.   Safety Checks: Annual Smoke and Monoxide Tests: Replace the batteries to ensure all detectors work correctly. Emergency Plans: Practice emergency plans with your family and update them as needed. Annual Fire Extinguisher Inspections: Ensure your fire extinguishers are up to code and fully charged in an emergency. These are just a few home maintenance guidelines to check this summer. The guidelines can help keep your home in top shape and help you avoid unexpected issues. Regular maintenance can keep your home looking nice. If you have any questions about home maintenance, we are here to help you maintain and improve your home appearance.

Top 5 Home Features Dad Will Love

Every family has a special wish list when considering purchasing their new home. Some love window seats for reading, while others search for a room light-filled for painting, but for Dad, certain home features stand out more. These five features make a house a dream home for Dad.   A Spacious Garage For Dad, a garage is much more than a space to park a car. For Dad, a spacious garage is a place that allows him to have a storage room and a place for organization. He will have extra space to store his sports gear and tools. A garage with additional space also allows him to have a workshop area, giving him a comfortable area for his woodworking projects or car maintenance and protecting him from the sun. Let's not forget the possibility of a man cave. With extra garage space, Dad will have room for a mini-fridge and chairs for downtime. Outdoor Living Space Outdoors can be the perfect spot for Dad to entertain and relax. Some features Dads will love are backyard patios and decks. The additions will allow him to cook and barbecue while hosting family events. Firepits are also great additions to outdoor living space, where Dad can relax and tell stories with his family. Large backyards will also give Dad room to watch his children playing, extra space for a garden, and even turf for golf fans.               Smart Home Technology Dads love the efficiency and security of the evolving smart home technology. Home features like security cameras and alarm systems give him peace of mind regarding family safety. Other smart home features like motion-censored lights and app-controlled electronics are also features that will add to Dad's convenience. Home Office or Study With remote work on the rise, some Dads will appreciate having a quiet office to focus and work from. The need for privacy and space away from the main living area will be essential for him. A room of his own will also hold ease distractions. Dad will also enjoy built-in desk and cabinet space, allowing him to have more storage to help him stay organized. Dad will also appreciate good lighting in his office space, giving him a productive environment. Entertainment Room The entertainment room can be the liveliest in the home, filled with family, friends, and fun. The room can have multiple large-screen TVs, surround sound, and lazy boy recliners that will make this room one of Dad's favorites. The entertainment room can be a place to watch multiple short games, movie nights, and even video games for dads who love gaming. Dads may even want to add a pool table and wet bar drinks; this will allow Dad to host the best gatherings. When your family searches for the perfect home, these features can be some of Dad's favorites. Dads will enjoy these features, from a spacious garage to an entertainment room, which adds to his comfort and enjoyment. If you and your family are looking for a home with a feature for every family member, contact Oro Realty. We will make sure to keep Dad's favorites in mind.