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Why a Powerful Open House Still Matters in San Marcos

Why a Powerful Open House Still Matters in San Marcos

In today’s digital-driven real estate landscape, it’s easy to assume that traditional methods like open houses have lost their impact. But here in San Marcos, open houses continue to play a strategic and highly effective role in helping homes sell faster and for more money. At Waymaker Realty Advisors, we’ve seen firsthand how the right open house can create buzz, attract serious buyers, and generate offers that exceed expectations.

The Power of In-Person Experience

While online listings and virtual tours are important tools in marketing a home, they can’t replicate the emotional impact of walking through a space in person. Open houses allow potential buyers to:

  • Feel the flow of the floorplan

  • Soak in the neighborhood vibe

  • Imagine their life in the home

These emotional connections are often the deciding factor in a buyer’s journey. A thoughtfully staged, well-attended open house creates opportunities for buyers to fall in love with your property on the spot.

Increased Exposure in a Short Window

Open houses create a sense of urgency and exclusivity. With a defined window of time, buyers know they have to act quickly if they’re serious. This often results in:

  • Higher foot traffic than private showings

  • Immediate feedback from multiple prospects

  • Potential bidding situations that favor the seller

In San Marcos’ competitive real estate market, this kind of momentum can be a game-changer.

Attracting Both Active and Passive Buyers

Not all buyers are actively scheduling showings—but many are casually exploring neighborhoods. Open houses make it easy for these “passive buyers” to stop in and take a look without commitment. Often, these are the buyers who walk in unexpectedly and walk out with an offer in hand.

Plus, open houses tend to draw neighbors and word-of-mouth advocates who may know someone looking for a home just like yours.

Showcasing the San Marcos Lifestyle

San Marcos is known for its beautiful communities, strong schools, outdoor recreation, and family-friendly atmosphere. An open house gives you the chance to highlight not just the home, but the lifestyle. Local coffee shops, trails, parks, and schools can all become part of the story you’re telling.

At Waymaker Realty Advisors, we often incorporate local insights and community highlights into our open house presentations to help buyers see the full picture.

Strategic Marketing Amplifies the Impact

Today’s open houses are backed by targeted marketing, not just a sign on the lawn. At Waymaker, we:

  • Promote open houses through social media ads, email campaigns, and online real estate platforms

  • Coordinate professional staging and photography to show the home in its best light

  • Engage attendees with interactive experiences, such as guided tours, refreshments, and take-home brochures

This thoughtful planning ensures your home stands out and leaves a lasting impression.

The Waymaker Difference

At Waymaker Realty Advisors, we believe in blending modern innovation with time-tested strategies. Open houses continue to deliver results because we do them the right way—with intention, preparation, and passion for helping our sellers succeed.

If you're considering selling your home in San Marcos, let’s talk about how a professionally hosted open house can be the key to your next big move.

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Complaints prompt Carlsbad to remove traffic circles City will install all-way stop signs instead of roundabouts at two Kelly Drive intersections A vehicle maneuvers through the traffic circle at Park Drive and Kelly Drive in this view looking north up Kelly Drive. Above left is Laguna Riviera City Park, behind it is Kelly Elementary School. (Charlie Neuman/For The San Diego Union-Tribune) A vehicle maneuvers through the traffic circle at Park Drive and Kelly Drive in this view looking north up Kelly Drive. Above left is Laguna Riviera City Park, behind it is Kelly Elementary School. (Charlie Neuman/For The San Diego Union-Tribune) By PHIL DIEHL | [email protected] | The San Diego Union-Tribune UPDATED: June 20, 2025 at 6:15 AM PDT Carlsbad’s City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to remove two traffic circles, or small roundabouts, that residents said were “a failed experiment” installed in 2013 as a pilot project. Homeowners near the traffic circles at two intersections on Kelly Drive said the traffic circles encourage speeding and create a safety hazard for children walking to the nearby Kelly Elementary School. “It is a mess, truly a mess,” said Sheila O’Neill, who volunteers as a crossing guard at the school. “The roundabout nudges cars closer to the crosswalk and kids crossing the street … all-way stops would be great. It would make next year so much better.” Traffic circles are different from roundabouts, although the terms often are used interchangeably. Traffic circles require less space and generally are placed in residential areas. Roundabouts are larger, sometimes with landscaping, usually have pedestrian crosswalks set back from the intersection, and are installed on busier streets and thoroughfares. Carlsbad approved the interim traffic circles for two intersections on Kelly Drive — at each side of Kelly Elementary School — one at Park Drive and the other at Hillside Drive. Each one is essentially a circle of small ceramic bumps or domes on the asphalt at the center of the intersection for vehicles to drive around. The bumps are small enough that cars can drive over without damage. “This was a well-intentioned experiment, but it’s time to acknowledge its failure,” said Steve Linke, a resident and former member of the city’s Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission. Council members agreed with the speakers. One of the options presented to the council was to proceed with a final design, environmental studies and permits for roundabouts to replace the Kelly Drive traffic circles. Instead, the council voted to remove the traffic circles, resurface the roadway with a slurry seal, and install all-way stop signs. Also, the council directed city staffers to consider the costs and benefits of other possible improvements such as bike lanes, crosswalks and curb ramps, and bring that information back at a future meeting. “It’s a good opportunity to step back, catch our breath and listen to what our residents are saying,” said Councilmember Keven Shin. “I feel like an all-way stop would create a lot of safety for the kids.” Teenagers on e-bikes ride south on Kelly Drive approaching the traffic circle at Hillside Drive, shown at right, where underground pipeline work continue in the middle of the circle. At right is the east end of Hillside Drive. (Charlie Neuman / For The San Diego Union-Tribune) Teenagers on e-bikes ride south on Kelly Drive approaching the traffic circle at Hillside Drive, at right, where underground pipeline work is underway in the middle of the circle. At right is the east end of Hillside Drive. (Charlie Neuman/For The San Diego Union-Tribune) Earlier this year, the City Council hit the brakes on the long-planned installation of a roundabout to replace the traffic signals at the beachfront intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard. That project also faced widespread community opposition. And the council has said that sometime soon it will reconsider a still unbuilt roundabout that it approved in 2023 for the intersection of Cannon Road and Carlsbad Boulevard. Roundabouts and traffic circles are elements of a “complete streets” program that Carlsbad has been working on for several years. The program’s goal is to prioritize safety for everyone on the roads, whether they are driving, walking or biking. In March the City Council approved five traffic circles to be installed at intersections in the older downtown Barrio neighborhood starting in 2026. Barrio residents generally supported the installations because they are expected to help control traffic and reduce speeding. The city obtained about $4 million in federal funding for the Barrio traffic circles. Originally Published: June 19, 2025 at 7:50 AM PDT

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