I don’t take my title lightly. I respect it. I honor it. I revere it. But alas, no matter how I feel about it what matters is how everyone else feels about it. Open House King. That’s the title. I felt the need to claim this title last year, right around the time that it became obvious to me that the newest technology in real estate involves sticking a sign in the yard (balloons for extra points) and opening the door. Now that’s the future of real estate. Don’t believe me? Watch the television shows with the pointy-shoed brokers. There’s one thing they love more than getting drunk at lunch and that’s holding open houses. Behold, the future of real estate: The Same As It Ever Was.
In order to hold on to this title, I am required by statute to hold at least one open house per year. Given that it’s mid October and I haven’t yet fulfilled this requirement, I have decided that this weekend shall be the weekend. The time shall be 1 pm to 3 pm. The location shall be N1963 Birches Drive in Linn Township. There will be no balloons. There will be no beverages. I will not make soup. There’s a slim chance I’ll have a business card with me. There is no chance that I’ll have brochures. But I will wear my shiny shoes, and I will have one or two crinkled issues of the most recent Summer Homes For City People. This is all I can promise.
There are many reasons to come to this open house. First, to meet me and chat about Lake Geneva things in an unfiltered, candid manner. Second, to see my shoes. Third, because this house is hands down the most unique offering on the lake. There are, as of this morning, seven lakefront homes available on Geneva. That’s it. There is my luxurious listing on Basswood, which I fully expect to sell in the very near future, and then there is this listing in the Birches. The Birches property has nearly 300′ of frontage. This alone is worth your consideration. The house, often considered a tear down, is something that I consider to be worth saving. I think, with the right renovation, this one would sparkle. I think any buyer considering lakefront right now would be wise to consider this home. Come see it Saturday. If you don’t visit me, there’s a chance my Open House King status will be revoked, because a key component of an open house is customer participation, and I don’t think any of us want to imagine a world where someone else is wearing this crown. See you Saturday.