Should I host a show day? - With Chris Tyson.

Modern technology means currently 90% of people who venture into houses for sale have already done their homework via the internet. They have been through the properties available in their chosen neighbourhood and discounted those they believe unsuitable to their needs or personalities without even
walking through the front door.

The question then arises â€" is having a show day worth the effort, either for the estate agent who has to work over the weekend or for the owners forced out of their property for the day?

However, the reality is there remains substantial value in returning to basics and hosting a show day. It is the opportunity for attracting the right buyers, because those 90% of people may already have been online to compile a list and your home could as easily be on that list as not.

Show days are the means by which to drive foot traffic to your property â€" and statistics demonstrate more than 60% of properties are sold directly because of the exposure received from show days. Essentially they remain the most popular method for selling a property, even in a market heavily reliant on technology.

Realise too buyers are not going to sign on the dotted line without physically viewing the property. The virtual tour has given them the taste of your home, but not the essence. That spirit â€" the sense that the bricks and mortar in which they are standing symbolises their characteristics â€" can only come from the real life experience.

As a seller, it is then more convenient to have several designated days for viewing than to constantly have agents bringing prospective clients to the door.

I advise clients to put their house on show for the first 6 weeks of the mandate. This is the busiest time for a new listing, when the bulk of buyers will view their home.

Advisory column sponsoredby Tyson Properties.