OPEN HOUSES IN CARY NOW A CALL AWAY
(excerpts from article)

by Stacey Lohman, Business Editor
 

The Mary Opfer Team at Cary-based RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest has brought the open house into the 21st century with a new concept called "Realtor-on-Call."

"There's so much on the market right now, so much inventory," said Mary McDonald, a real-estate agent and an accredited home-staging professional who is part of the Opfer team, which also includes Mary Ann Meyer, realtor and long-time Cary area resident.  "What hasn't gone up necessarily is number of buyers and the number of hours in a day."

"Realtor-on-Call," launched Sept. 2, was created to give all listings in Cary equal exposure every weekend. It is offered from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Buyers learn of the service by signs and brochures posted in front of homes, through the Internet, and from the Multiple Listing Service.

Here's how it works:

-- Participating sellers must be able to show their homes with little notice.

-- Interested buyers call the posted listing agent's pager. McDonald said her team
    respects pre-established agency relationships.

-- The listing agent meets potential buyers within five minutes and shows the home.

The Team said the system works because the agency does its homework.  Homes are well-presented, staged and properly priced. Its listings have street-side brochures, showing the price and interior photos. And if they like what they see, a viewing is only a pager call away.

The program helps sellers, as well. In most cases, only serious buyers will request a showing. Plus, agents are able to provide them with an activity report.

The Mary Opfer Team, based at 362 Northwest Highway, Cary, will be moving to a new office Wednesday at 445 Park Avenue, Cary.

For details, visit www.teamcarygrove.com or call (847) 516-6333.

-- Stacey Lohman is business editor of the Northwest Herald and editor of the McHenry County Business Journal.  Reprinted by permission.