YES!  Absolutely

Most agents will tell you no, but they absolutely work!

Even the Wall Street Journal agrees.

Top 4 Reasons Open Houses Work in Jacksonville:

1. Statistics: National Association of Realtors survey of 2008 home buyers.  Get ready for this, 48% of all home buyers in 2008 attended Open Houses while searching for a new home.  If you don't read 2, 3, or 4, this 1 point should convince you the need for Open Houses.
2. National Home Builders: The nations largest home builders use Open Houses.  In fact, that is one of their first goals in opening a new community:  How fast can we get the model home open. Potential buyers need to visualize the home in person and not on paper.
3. My Results: I've seen nice homes, priced right, and in good locations sit on the market with no activity.  They sit for sale while I've bought a fixer upper, rehabbed over a 2 month period, marketed using Open Houses, sold, and closed.  All the while with still no activity on the homes for sale around my houses.
4. Fact of Life: We all want to see something or try it out before we purchase.  Cars, Jeans, Cell Phones, and for sure a new Home in Jacksonville or Ponte Vedra.

My take on open houses is simple....They work!  They require such little effort and they can get BIG results.  I know my buyer clients enjoy the ease of walking through an Open House without having to schedule a formal time to browse.  I know after sitting in model homes for years that those people that are "just looking" often purchase the home.

The big question:  Do they work for Waterfront homes?  You bet they do!  Curiosity among home buyers who may be considering a community not on the water helps to open the opportunity for more buyers.  Jacksonville waterfront is so appealing to so many of us, it's a crime to avoid open houses.

If you have a home on the market, tell your Jacksonville Realtor to start doing Open Houses.  If you are thinking of selling your home, make sure you find a Professional Jacksonville Real Estate Agent that will agree to do open houses to market and sell your home.