This is about  Open House etiquette. 

Today, I was showing property in a couple of neighborhoods in northern Virginia to some favorite clients.  In one, there was an Open at a property I had left off our itinerary because it was out of the price range.  We decided to go in anyway so they could get a feel for the prices in this subdivision.

There were two agents who worked as partners holding it open, and as we went in I introduced myself and my clients and asked if we could please take a quick look around.

Quick look?  No such thing!

The both swooped down on my poor buyers and were simultaneously emoting about the virtues of this house and the neighborhood.  Then, just as they thought they had escaped and we headed for the lower level, one of these ladies followed us downstairs, her mouth going a mile a minute.

I took her aside. 

"It's OK," I explained.   "I'm their agent and I'm pretty familiar with these lovely homes.  I can show it to them."

But she wouldn't leave!  She remained right by my elbow, and she wouldn't shut up!

To make matters wore, this awful woman was flirting with my buyers! 

When I hold an Open House, I try to leave agents and their clients alone.  I'm friendly and welcoming.   I give them a fact sheet and disclosures, and all I say is "Please check it out and let me know if you have any questions." 

I don't want to break whatever rhythm they may have established.  So I get out of their way.  And while they're looking, I shut up unless they ask me something.

Maybe it's just me, but when Open House agents are hovering, they are just about as obnoxious as sellers who follow you around, afraid you'll miss some important feature of their home.   In this case, I was trying to get the buyers excited about the amazing stone hearth around the fireplace, and my helper was chirping away about how there was a plumbing rough-in for a wet bar.  So-freakin'-what!

Yikes! 

Phew!  Rant over!  I feel better now.

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30 Comments on Ma'am, Kindly Move Away From My Clients!

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OCT
14
2007
1,911,168 Points 385 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Maria, these clients are really terrific and loyal, but even if they weren't they wouldn't cheat on me with this pair! 

And Leslie, she did address the buyer handing her a brochure to be sure to call her with any questions.  And that was right in front of me!

5:28pm • #11

Hmmm....I would've had to reply with " Oh, that's ok , they know if they have any questions they can call me, their buyers agent" .

 

;0)
5:31pm • #12
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Edith, the funny thing was that we looked at a fabulous house that is also listed by this pair - and they might want to make an offer on it.  But they said, "Oh, we'd have to deal with the nut cases!"  I assured them it was fine, and that they wouldn't have to deal with them I would.  We laughed!
5:34pm • #13

LOL!!

Keep me posted on the offer! I'd love to know how it went. ;0)
5:37pm • #14
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Were you the only people they had seen all day?   I don't let my clients sign in when I take them around.  The agent gets my card and that is all.  Bad form.
5:44pm • #15

If I hold an open, I typically ask the agent if they would like me to conduct the tour of the house.

I did have one seller, who was tyicpally, hanging around somewhere who - if I didn't do the tour he would. A quick tour it wasn't (included how easy it was to winterize the property).  So anyone going through the house had to deal with me - the hovering agent!  If my seller wasn't around he'd ask me so many questions and "did you tell them..."  - I always felt vulnerable in that I'd get caught in a lie.  

I'm a friendly person and well, I might come across as flirting but I honor client relationships with their agents even if they don't accompany.
5:47pm • #16
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Cindy, There was another couple who came in while we were there.  The other agent was all over them! 

And Judi, it's like you know they've installed a nanny cam or something.  Hey!  Maybe that's why these women were so aggresive!

5:52pm • #17
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Patricia, I rated this a big Five..and after you deservedly accumulate lots of comments here on Active Rain, you should forward a copy to those extra-clingy, interfering agents so they can learn what their colleagues all over the country think of that kind of behavior.
5:58pm • #18
Good one, Eric.  I'd be for that.  If nothing else, the actions of these two open house-holders smacks of desperation.
6:07pm • #19
410,660 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Wow!  Have they no activity?  Were you the only attendees at the open? This is a 5! Your clients must feel so grateful they chose you!
6:10pm • #20
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Eric, that is a great idea! 

Karen, funny how I'm reading your comments anticipating tonight's Desperate Housewives!

And Frances, there was at least one other couple there, and I felt sorry that they didn't have their agent to protect them!  

Thanks for all your comments! 
6:20pm • #21
134,237 Points 5 Featured Posts

Patricia,

I have always said this about my business and some still do not get it.  This a people business.  Good manners and learning to play nice with each other is so important.  I bet you would have doubts ever showing one of her listing based on your experience now.  Wow. 

8:29pm • #22
OCT
15
2007
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Patricia - I had a seller request that I accompany everyone that came, because they were concerned about certain items in the house. I advised them to remove anything of value, and that the buyers agents show it anyway on other days. They were fine with that. On the other hand, we have a lot of houses being shown only with "agent must accompany". These are usually properties over $2mln and the agents mostly stay out of the way. Sometimes there can be a question, but may be for these prices, the sellers want the agents to put in a lot of work. Sometimes, the agents check out the car and the way my clients are dressed, as a way to qualify.I don't look at the car to qualify clients. Tomorrow, I am showing a home >$3mln, and I am sure the agent will be there. 
6:05am • #23
296,266 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Some Realtors are crazy!  That being said; I am glad you told them that you could handle showing your clients the house - too bad she didn't take a hint.

Even when folks come in without an agent - I don't hover like that!  Goodness!
7:15am • #24
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Patricia, the cool thing is that your buyers recognized how inappropriate "the nut cases" actions were.  I enjoyed the story!  It is a reminder to me to let people do their job without hovering.  Thanks!

Mike in Tucson
8:02am • #25
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I encountered a "hovering" listing agent in Wisconsin who insisted on being present at showings.  I don't believe the sellers cared one way or the other about his presence, since I know them and they had no concerns.  He would follow closely throughout a showing, loudly pointing out the kitchen, the bathroom, the bedrooms and the garage, as if my buyers weren't smart enough to know which room was which!  When he'd make these ridiculous statements, the buyers would look at each other and roll their eyes and then look at me.

I think sometimes it's a question of raging ego, or the desire to be in control, that causes agents to hover.   
10:25am • #26
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Patricia, I've got a suggestion that might stop these agents next time.  Print up some buttons or nametags that your clients can wear to the open houses that say something like 

"I've signed a buyer agency agreement with Patricia"

or


4:52pm • #27
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Gary, even if you'd rather eat a ground glass omelet than sell a certain colleagues listing, I think you have to just suck it up and get the client Dream House!  And it's totally true that it's a play well with others business!

And Faina, this was not a $2million dollar house!  The rules are a little different in the mansion market, especially if they didn't remove the Picasso's.

9:28pm • #28
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James, you kow, it's funny how the downtown agents are usually fine.  It's the suburban agents who are about my age who do this stuff, and maybe I feel crazed because they are reflecting back my dorky side!

Mike, It's funny how we focus on how hovering sellers being bad.  I think it's unusual for the helicopter agent to hover.

And Eric, I really do agree that so much of it is about control, and all of us have a little control freak in us.

9:36pm • #29
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Brian Block!  Where do you come up with all this totally fabulous stuff!  I love the button!  It's a WOW!
9:40pm • #30

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Patricia Kennedy

Washington, DC

More about me…

Evers & Company Realtors

Address: 4400 Jenifer Street NW, Washington, DC , 20015

Office Phone: (202) 364-1700

Cell Phone: (202) 549-5167

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Pat Kennedy -- author of The Irreverent Guide to Real Estate -- gives you a look at life on the streets as a real estate broker in our nation's capital. And her blog is peppered with great advice combined with humor!


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