Open houses can be scary - for your sellers and for you. Safety and security should be your primary concern when hosting an open house.

To ease sellers' minds about having strangers wander through their homes, I've used a registry, but have met some hostile people who see my request for them to sign in as an infringement of their rights to privacy. One such gentlemen stormed out - later I found my open house signs destroyed.

Other agents have suggested when they are conducting tours they lock the door and put a sign on it to inform others that he/she will be right with them. I'm personally not fond of that idea. First I don't want to be locked in with strangers and secondly, I'm not sure the others would wait; thereby, defeating the purpose of an open house.

So last week I suggested to my broker that agents team up at open houses. I've always been a huge fan of the buddy system for safety. He was leery of the idea, thinking that people coming through would be intimidated. I stated that I had heard from others that surprisingly enough people seem more at ease. So he suggested I join him for his open house that weekend to see how it goes.

Three things of note happened using the buddy system at the open house:

  1. The seller really got the sense that as a brokerage we were working hard for her and she felt secure knowing that if it got busy there would be enough eyes on her belongings.
  2. Those touring the house were able to receive one-on-one attention and get their questions answered as soon as they asked them.
  3. Because I was with the listing agent I learned more about the house by listening to him talk to others than I ever could by doing the open house on my own and then next day when I did the open house with a different agent, he was able to learn about the house from me.

The buddy system in an open house is a win-win for everyone.

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18 Comments on Buddy Up!

SEP
14
2010
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Pam, that does sound like a win-win.  I haven't done an open house in a while, but if I do, I think I will do it with a buddy.  People get more attention, and today I would want to make sure there are no safety concerns I need to be worried about!  I am increasingly hearing more stories of items stolen at opens, as well as suspicious behavior.  Better to nip it in the bud!
11:58am • #1
143,639 Points Called Shot Master

Pam, great tips. Thanks
11:58am • #2
227,288 Points 7 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This is a fantastic idea for not only safety, but for everyone involved! Like you said, the seller feels taken care of, there is more than one person available to answer questions and hey, if it is slow, at least you have someone to talk to!
12:07pm • #3
125,191 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Caroline,

It is better to take precautions these days.
12:26pm • #4
125,191 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Indera,

You're welcome.
12:27pm • #5
125,191 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Stephanie,

Indeed. Working open house can be a lot like working retail. It can be feast or famine and there's nothing worse than when it's slow and you're sitting there twiddling your thumbs :)
12:29pm • #6
532,155 Points 45 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Great idea Pam, I think all brokers should take this safety more seriously, some do and some don't. Wonderful win win solution to the problem
12:41pm • #7
125,191 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Gerry,

I think they should too!
12:45pm • #8
333,351 Points 4 Featured Posts

Pam, I'm glad it worked well for you and that hopefully the sellers are happy.

Ty
3:07pm • #9
125,191 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Ty,

She's pretty motivated, so the more effort she sees on our brokerage's part the happier she is (not unlike most sellers, I suppose - if they truly want to sell)
3:11pm • #10

I think it's an excellent idea. As for the person who refused to register. Why would anyone assume they can traipse through someone's home without identifying themselves? I know there are people who make a hobby out of touring open houses and have zero interest in buying. So, the least they could do is register. Because owners should not be present during an open house, for lots of reasons, the REALTOR has the responsibility for the property while there are tours. So, teaming up makes very good sense.
DianeG
3:55pm • #11
312,980 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Pam,

I recently started doing this too and have found it a great way to stay safe and help take care of the "open house" visitors while doing it.  It also helps ease the boredom during the down times.  great suggestions, I've been stuck in the past with some interesting people coming thru.  Especially not a good thing to be alone in a vacant home..... nobody will be by later to check on you.
4:14pm • #12
125,191 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Diane,

What he told me (and many others had also used this logic), was that it was open to the public so he had every right to go through without giving his name. I have to wonder if it were his house he was selling, if he'd feel the same way.

 
4:32pm • #13
125,191 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Kim,

Good point. One person hosting at a vacant house screams "unsafe". While there's nothing to steal it's very easy for an agent to become a victim.
4:35pm • #14
SEP
15
2010
548,645 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Kim, what a good idea.  I think that if the two people practice a little, they can probably be much more effective with their buyer interactions.
7:42am • #15
125,191 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Chris,

Realistically, there really doesn't need to be any practice - you just have to make sure you are with another agent you like to talk to. Your comfort levels with each other and with the house you're in will shine through and be apparent to visitors as soon as they walk in.
8:52am • #16
474,549 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Pam, I like your idea. Safety first.

I have been to open houses where they ask you to wait outside. It feels odd after years of everyone just walking right in. I think some viewers would value the attention from the Realtor but others feel it is pressure they don't want.

I had an aunt who used to register when asked but always under an alias so I don't think that helps LOL.
10:58am • #17
125,191 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Janice,

Yeah, I know people used aliases as well. The next step would be to actually see identification, which would go over like a ton of bricks, eh?

The buddy system is the best way to go, I think.
11:36am • #18


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