Case Study

‘Open Houses’ Give Authentic Look into Districts

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Reaching Realtors for Positive Perceptions  

THE SITUATION

According to the 2021 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 24% of home buyers listed school quality and 23% listed proximity to schools as deciding factors in their home purchase. A school district’s engagement with Realtors can improve the understanding of the challenges and rewards of public education, dispel misconceptions about a particular district and forge strong community ties.

THE STRATEGY

Laura Bishop Communications (LBC) developed the idea for a Realtor’s Open House, for which school districts invite real estate agents to gain firsthand information to share with prospective buyers.  Barnegat Township, Rancocas Valley Regional, and Ramsey school districts used this tactic.

For each district, LBC assembled pertinent information that would be valuable to Realtors and their clients, such as school rankings, points of pride, and basic profiles. School tours, candid Q&As, and interactions with students left lasting, positive, and authentic impressions.

THE WIN

In Barnegat Township, attendees were impressed with what they saw and several specifically said they felt better equipped to speak about the school district with families looking to move. They all walked away with great talking points and quick answers for clients.

In the school year before the Open House, Barnegat had no waitlist for its free, full-day Pre-K program. The following school year, there were 40 children waiting for spots. As of April 2023, the waitlist for the upcoming school year had 55 names.

A black and white image of students throwing up their caps during a graduation ceremony is accompanied by information about points of pride that the Barnegat Township School District celebrates.
Ramsey Open House - Renderings of a new building and photos of students working in an updated science lab in the Ramsey School District are part of a flyer outlining exciting things that have recently been added and will soon come to the district.
Realtors Breakfast Flyer 1 - A Rancocas Valley Regional High School profile is formatted as an MLS listing.
Realtors Breakfast Flyer  2 - A Rancocas Valley Regional High School profile is formatted as an MLS listing.

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