It’s been a long-standing tradition in many parts of the country to hold an annual neighborhood block party as a way of helping neighbors stay in touch with one another. In today’s world, with most families having both spouses work, a neighborhood gathering can be an ideal way to meet your neighbors and build strong community ties.

With most agents well-versed in conducting public open houses and broker open houses as a way to introduce a new listing to both the local and real estate communities, why not combine both approaches for maximum exposure to your FARM area. Just send a personal invitation to everyone in the neighborhood of your new listing to preview your listing and meet the neighbors. By promoting your listing as a social event, you are much more likely to have the neighbors participate, even if it’s just to find out the sales price of your listing. It can be their opportunity to “Get to know their neighbors” and “Get to know their real estate market”.

This informal approach will give you an ideal opportunity to provide residents of your FARM area great information about the real estate market. You can also use the event as an opportunity to encourage participants to “Pick their own neighbors”, by encouraging them to refer great potential “Neighbors” (or buyers), to you. Best of all, you’ll have social face-to-face meetings with the people that you want to get to know because it’s your FARM area.

Treat your neighborhood event just as you would any social gathering. Mailing personal invitations for this event is a nice touch. And, don’t forget to personally address each envelope and ask for an RSVP. You should also ask your seller for a list of people they would like to invite to the event. Be sure to have appetizers, a nice atmosphere and to ask everyone to sign a guest register. The best time for a neighborhood open house is probably on a Thursday evening, just before dinner, possibly from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.