Q: My broker says I should be baking cookies at my open houses, but I have now burned two batches because I get to talking with potential buyers. That “burned cookies” smell does nothing to enhance the property! How do I tell my broker that I am not Betty Crocker?
A: I would start by asking your broker what effect does she want to accomplish by baking cookies? Is it the smell? If so, would a candle or spray have the same effect? If it is to slow potential buyers down and get them talking with you over a snack, could that same thing be accomplished with pre-packaged cookies, nuts, or string cheese? And if the purpose is to get potential buyers talking to an agent who they can connect with due to their exemplary cooking skills … well, the skills I would be looking for in an agent include having a strong knowledge of the market, the ability to show me trends and help me make buying decisions. I couldn’t care less about whether my agent makes snickerdoodles.
I recommend showing your broker all the tools you do bring to an open house as you indicate you are ditching your apron, so she has confidence that your open houses are designed to “wow”. And if you don’t have any, check out my Unforgettable Open House toolbox or my Zebra Report series on open houses:
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Just a comment on the cookie baking…does this broker suggest all agents bake cookies at an open house or just select agents? If it is just select agents, what distinguishes them from the ones who are not told to bake cookies?
Does this broker expect both “Betty and Bobby Crocker” to either sell a home or attract clients with this method? If not, I would really want to know why this “technique” isn’t globally endorsed…
Lis, that’s an excellent question. I don’t know the specifics of this broker’s suggestion that his agents be baking cookies, if I find out I’ll share that here. Clearly it wasn’t made to just agents who were enthusiastic about baking cookies.