We Tell it Like It Is

So, I did an open house today--the first one I've done in over a year. I was talked into doing one by a listing agent who is selling another town home in the same complex that I have my listing in. My listing has been on for a year and we've reduced the price at least 4 times. I figured I had nothing to lose by regressing back to my old selling tactics.

Well, my 2 hour stint in Shoreview turned out to be a reminder of why I stopped doing them. My poor seller knocks herself out cleaning the place up, buying fresh flowers, candy, and reducing the price one more time.

I had one visitor right away. I asked her if she was from the area (no, St. Paul) and if she was in the market for a town home (just a simple "yes" was the response). She asked me the price and I told her. I asked her if she wanted a flyer w/more information and she refused it. I pointed out a couple of features of the home to her and she gently indicated that she wanted to be left alone to look. I obliged. She stayed another 30 seconds, used the bathroom and left. Didn't look on the deck or on the patio. A few concerns I had about her visit:

1) Her lack of questions and refusal to take a flyer--if you were seriously looking for a home, wouldn't you want some info to reference while you were looking? No questions about assoc. fees, etc? In turn, many people read all of that on the internet ahead of time before they come to see the home. But, why would she ask what the price was?

2) She sped up the looking after she heard the price.

3) Didn't bother looking outside on the deck or patio. Serious buyers ALWAYS go outside to see what the view is from the patio/deck--checking out all aspects of the home.

4) She used the bathroom. Was that the only reason why she came??

One other man arrived 10 mins before the open house ended. He did grab flyers; good sign #1. However, he also did not bother to look outside. He did look in closets, which is good sign #2. However, he did not ask any questions. This means he's either not interested or not a serious buyer.

I did not consider this to be a productive activity. If the 2nd man was serious, then where was his Realtor? Will the house sell because of the open house today? My vote would be "no", but I've been wrong in the past. However, I think the odds of me being right are in my favor unfortunately.