I Don't Want To Talk To You
This is a GREAT post.
It's EXACTLY why buyers in the Portland Metro agent NEED to have their own agent -- a Buyers Agent but more specifically, an EXCLUSIVE Buyers Agent.
No disrespect to Candy, but this is EXACTLY what Buyers DO WRONG -- they ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS -- to the listing agent, no less.
· "Hi, I'm Candy with ABC Realty. Can I get you to sign in please? Thank you. How did you hear about today's openhouse"?
My advice to Represented Buyers: Sign in and indicate you are BEING REPRESENTED BY YOUR AGENT! You heard about the open house through your BUYERS AGENT and then hand them your agent’s card.
My advice to Unrepresented Buyers: Sign in and then expect to be contacted and “follow-upped” with by the listing agent. Some listings agent like to “pick up buyers” at their clients’ (the sellers’) OPEN HOUSE – OH PLEASE!! Like that doesn’t happen?!?
· "The seller has requested that all visitors sign in so they know who has been in their house. Please feel free to walk around and let me know if you have any questions".
My advice to Represented Buyers: Sign in and indicate you are BEING REPRESENTED BY YOUR AGENT! You heard about the open house through your BUYERS AGENT! If you have any questions about the property ask YOUR Agent
My advice to Unrepresented Buyers: Sign in and then expect to be contacted and “follow-upped” with by the listing agent. Some listings agent like to “pick up buyers” at their clients’ (the sellers’) OPEN HOUSE – OH PLEASE!! Like that doesn’t happen?!? The sellers really could care less . . . the agent does. Might be a HOT buyer they can pick up. OH PLEASE . . . like this doesn’t happen?!?
· "Don't worry, your information is just for the seller. I won't be stalking you".
HA HA HA – that statement right there is so hilarious to me: “Don’t worry, your information is just for the seller – and ME because I’m their fiduciary and I have a duty to my clients – the SELLERS. Feel free to give me ALL THE INFORMATION you want. Let me know about your price points, the reason you’re looking to buy . . .”
· "How does this property compare to others you have seen"?
In my professional opinion -- This is NOT anything a listing agent needs to be discussing with either a represented or unrepresented Buyers. It’s NOT the obligation of someone being invited in to an Open House to discuss the “market” with the LISTING AGENT. That’s not the intent of the Open house . . . or is it?!? Keep in mind boys and girls – the listing agent works for the SELLERS. How does the property compare to other you’ve seen in NONE of their bees wax. This is a LOADED QUESTION because it opens up conversations you MIGHT NOT TO WANT TO HAVE WITH THE LISTING AGENT, especially if you – the BUYER – have an interest in the house.
· "Have you seen the two other properties open today in this neighborhood"?
NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS. They have invited then general public in to an Open House. Period. They should not be using consumers attending their Open House to pick their brains on the competition of THEIRS in the current, local market
· "What did you like about this property"?
My Advice: “You have the right to remain silent!”
Most Buyers Talk Too Much – Listing Agents KNOW THIS!! Be cordial, be nice . . . thank them for the OPEN HOUSE. Look and leave!
How many times have you gotten this impression from visitors at your open house?
Ignore The Real Estate Agent
Of course we get this all the time. You know who they are when they walk in the door. Their goal is to get in and out of the house without speaking or making eye contact with you. You are the only barrier between them and the house. Unfortunately, if our energy level is low that day (which sometimes happens if we are completely honest) we will actually let them get away with it. We respond to their "get out of my face" attitude in kind...by getting out of their way. But most times we will try to engage the open house visitor in some way, after all, we are real estate agents trying to sell the house and the seller is paying us to do a job.
How To Engage At The Open House
So how do you engage the person who doesn't want to be bothered with you? Here are just a few ways to try and get a little bit of information out of the reluctant visitor:
- "Hi, I'm Candy with ABC Realty. Can I get you to sign in please? Thank you. How did you hear about today's open house"?
- "The seller has requested that all visitors sign in so they know who has been in their house. Please feel free to walk around and let me know if you have any questions".
- "Don't worry, your information is just for the seller. I won't be stalking you".
- "How does this property compare to others you have seen"?
- "Have you seen the two other properties open today in this neighborhood"?
- "What did you like about this property"?
By asking a few non-threatening questions, or making a few non-threatening statements either when they arrive or after they have viewed the property, you are doing your best to represent your seller. While you are respectful that the open house visitor doesn't want to engage in conversation, you must remember who you work for and what you are paid to do.
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Candy Miles-Crocker
Real-Life Real Estate Training
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