What Happens After the “Open House”?

The Open House just ended. But my day just got a whole lot longer. My job is to make my clients money. This is when I do it.

In this 2-minute read you'll find: Real Estate Stories: "Offer Review" was set for Wednesday. But an offer came Sunday, just before the end of the Open House. Curious what I do in that situation? Read below! Summer Listings: I've got four beautiful listings for you to take a look at. Who in your network of friends needs to see these homes? Pass them on!

What happens after the "Open House?"

Magnolia 4214 28th Place West 3 BD 2 BA 1980 SF $1,550,000

It was Sunday afternoon at 4 pm. I was tired. Over four days of Open Houses -- Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I had entertained, educated and charmed buyers. The Open Houses had been exceptionally well attended. Now, it was time pick up my Open House Signs and go home to watch baseball. I was looking forward to reviewing offers on Wednesday.

Except I was not in control of the schedule. One hour before the end of the open house, an agent submitted an early offer. By law, an agent must deliver any offer to his or her client. So when a listing agent says "Offers reviewed Wednesday", there's only so much they can do.

The offer was exceptionally good. Cash, no contingencies. A lot of agents would just advise clients to take it. But there was no way I was going to do that. I took a deep breath. Instead of watching the Mariners on TV, I was going to spend the next hours doing do what the best agents do: get on the phone.

Get on the phone: that's how you find out if there's a better offer for your clients. Get on the phone: that's how you ensure that your colleagues don't feel snubbed if you change the offer date. GET ON THE PHONE!

I had a list of 13 other agents who had expressed interest in the listing. I called everyone of them. No texting. I needed to hear their voices as I guided the conversation: "We've got some early action over here... How are your clients feeling? Still interested? ... Would they be able to write an offer tonight? ... Yes, it would need to be stellar to win."

There's a fine art to 1) not scaring away buyers with the dreaded "bidding war" 2) being fair to your colleagues and creating a process that maintains integrity throughout 3) creating a process that garners your sellers the most money, without buyers feeling they were taken advantage of. Boom! Done. After the open house, there was one early offer. By the end of the night, I had three. The sellers went home with $195,000 over the list price. The buyer felt satisfied that he had fought for and won an exceptional home. He wrote an exceptional offer, giving the sellers something they really wanted: two months in the house after closing. Time for the kids to finish school, and time to enjoy summer in Seattle. The Open House ended at 4 pm. We finalized the contract at 11:30 PM. That's why people choose to work with me.

As Summer Kicks into Gear I've Got Some Exciting New Listings! Check Them Out!

Just Listed! 1505 North 43rd Street 4 BD 3 BA 2800 SF $1,575,000 Spectacular living in the heart of Wallingford! Classy, stately, large 2800 sf Dutch Colonial main house PLUS super flexible 550 sf detached rentable cottage. Main house is simply gorgeous: classic, spacious rooms for living/ entertaining. Yes, it has all the frills that make this era special! Romantic fireplace hearth, sunroom, reading nooks. Functional too! 3 beds up, including enormous Primary with its own fireplace and french doors to outdoor deck. Lower level offers fun recroom, 4th bed and ¾ bath. DADU cottage is your new Swiss army knife: Airbnb, MIL suite, long-term rental, or a home office. Well-maintained and updated home. Walkscore 99 to restaurants & coffee shops, with easy access to 99, I5, UW, Children's Hospital and SLU!

Active 4401 Brygger Drive West 3 BD 3 BA 1910 SF $1,450,000 You found it! Completely renovated single family home (not townhome, not condo). Imagine your friends gathering here! Sprawling quartz countertops, stellar appliances, nooks to sit and chat, and a living room with soaring ceilings, shiplap hearth, plantation shutters. Overlooking the Kiwanis Nature Reserve for privacy and health with low maintenance native landscape--no yardwork! The top floor is your retreat w lux bath/shower and a private deck. 2-car garage gives space to park your cars and gear, plus plentiful driveway parking. In charming Magnolia: Short walk to Discovery Park, Met Market, Ballard Locks, coffee and breweries! Easy commute downtown or to SLU. Drive, bus or bike with minimal hills. Perfect!

Active 3713 South Holly Park Drive, Unit 4 3 BD 3 BA 1809 SF $675,000 This One's Different! Lives like a single family home. Surrounded by Greenspace. Private. Easy parking. Huge garage. End unit. A/C. That sounds good, right? It's big–1800 square feet with 3 beds / 2 baths UPSTAIRS. Plus a lower level flex space (office? family room?) and a huge garage with work/storage space. It's in a planned community–think tree-lined streets and enough space for everyone. Great light and only one shared wall. Sparkling, renovated kitchen with gorgeous tile backsplash, new appliances, and fresh white cabinetry. Superb work from home layout with spaces separated by floors. Walk to the Chief Sealth trail, Groceries, Othello Light Rail Station. Fast access to the whole city from a quiet, well-maintained neighborhood!

Active 3613 22nd Avenue West, Unit B 3 BD 4 BA 1780 SF $925,000 Not to be missed! Light, bright, big and renovated. Summer's here and AC has plenty of power to keep you cool! 1780 square feet of new finishes: floors, countertops, appliances, carpet, paint, lighting, A/C and heat—truly better than new. Situated in a non-trafficked, tree-lined alley of Magnolia--close to coffee, restaurants and fresh salmon at Fisherman's terminal. Corner unit: you'll enjoy plenty of light and share only one wall, plus you'll love the private back oasis, perfect for relaxation and play. It's a commuter's dream--bike, bus or quick drive to SLU and downtown. And breaking news! Lawton Elementary School ranked 41 in US News & World Report. Perfect!

Sold! 862 West Etruria Street 3 BD 2 BA 2240 SF $1,587,000 Seize your opportunity for Queen Anne living in this level-entry home, strategically perched to take full advantage of sweeping Cascade views. Large, open spaces on the main and lower floors set you up for living, entertaining and working–with two gas fireplaces to keep you cozy. Walk out your primary bedroom to a private, serene patio and relish that first sip of morning coffee. Move-in ready with all updated systems: wiring, plumbing, windows. Enjoy a supersized 6500 square foot lot with gorgeous, mature landscaping–your perfect garden and entertaining space. Queen Anne Avenue and Ballard are both within easy reach for shopping and eating. Quick commute downtown or SLU. Perfect!

Thanks for making it to the bottom of the newsletter.  In all aspects of my business, my goal is to empower and delight the people I am connected to.  I’m glad you are part of my community. Please forward this to anyone who might enjoy it.

Contact me today

Matthew Koenig Lic. Realtor® M: 206.234.5574 matthew.koenig@compass.com

Compass is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

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