I have an annual party to which I invite around 40 people each year, (approximately 20 people attend). I used to invite around 60 but recently chopped down my list, getting rid of folks who hadn't RSVPd or shown up for a couple years or more. I'm still frustrated by those who don't bother to RSVP tho!! So after discussing this with a friend, I've decided to put something like this on my invitiatons: If you wish to remain on my invitation list for next year, please RSVP either way. I know it's kind of harsh, but I'm sick of wondering if someone even got their invitation, or if they think so little of my invitation that they can't be bothered to have the courtesy to let me know their plans. We'll see if this works! It's a summer party so I won't be sending these invitations out for a few months.

I love hearing the follow up reports!! You are just so lucky that you could enjoy some of the outdoors this time of year! It sounds fab. It's a pet peeve of mine too, about the RSVP's. There seems to be a disconnect with some people between ideas and actions. They don't seem to get that if they don't RSVP then the person giving the dinner party has no idea of how much food to make. It's like they don't get that it is going to be a real party with a real person having to plan the food.

Thanks, boomama, for the link. You had a great response to the virtual open house. I'm enjoying the tour! I only decorated minimally since we are in the process of changing out a door for a window (lots of drywall dust) and I thought the mess would not be worth it. I did get my fix by decorating my store. Your dining room looks great, by the way!

"The seller's agent earns more commission because they are acting as both the selling agent and the buying agent. The seller doesn't have independent representation in the contract and price negotiations and for any escrow issues because the agent is on both sides." Your argument is based on the American model. As I mentioned earlier, the real estate industry operates differently here. The real estate agent is acting for only one entity, the seller, and the only commission he collects is for the sale of the property. That's usually in the 2 to 3% range. A commission would get split if Agent A gets the listing but the property is sold by Agent B working for the same company, but that's about it. Buyers agents are still rare here, mostly used by investors or time-poor people looking for for a house in a hot market. Any buyer commission is a separate arrangement between buyer's agent and buyer, with the commission or flat fee paid to the agent by the buyer. It's a completely separate transaction, independent of the selling realtor, with no blurring of lines. Unless the buyer specifically hires a buyer's agent, there is no buyer commission. As for escrow issues, its common here to hire a conveyancer or lawyer when buying/selling a property. It is illegal for the conveyancer to act for both sides. It can very much be in the seller's interest to sell without listing: he gets a pool of interested and qualified potential buyers, he gets an agent trying to get the best price because the commission depends on it, he avoids the inconvenience of open houses and the expense of advertising, and he gets a quick sale at the price he wants. He can always choose to test the market by going to a full listing, but if the agent can get him his price without going through the hassle, it can be to his advantage. Some sellers are quite happy with this approach, particularly since its pretty easy these days to estimate what one's home should sell for just by looking at neighborhood sales on line.