Do we need to change open house procedure?

I always review open house procedures with my customers as a part of the listing process.  It covers a wide checklist - including locking away jewelry, personal papers, etc. and removing other items (including spare keys) that may attract unwanted attention.  I also take an active approach when holding the open house.  I don't simply turn people loose to roam the house.  I don't hover - I do generally escort someone through the house and try to stay on the same floor as the person with an eye and ear on the door.  If someone is taking too long in a particular area, I will investigate what is going on.  I also walk the house at the end of the showing to make sure all windows and doors are locked.  I also require that people sign in and write down their license plate numbers as they arrive.

There were some thefts in our area where the police suspected that a person was posing as a buyer, unlocking windows, and then returning to remove architectural items like stained glass from vacant homes.  I have only had a bad feeling on one open house.  A young lady (under 18) walked confidently through the house while talking to someone else (apparently waiting in the car outside) and describing the details of the house.  I did ask her to not use her cell phone in the house because we had a full house.  She scurried out after I engaged her in conversation.  It turned out just to be a weird, harmless occurrence.

Always try to have more than one person running the open house at one time... not only for your safety but also for the protection of your clients belongings.  I NEVER let the people out of my sight.  If they split up on their own, and my business partner is with someone else, I simply ask them to please stick together as I have a fiduciary responsibility to keep an eye on what happens in their home.  I have yet to have anyone not like that and argue or get their nose out of shape. HOWEVER, that being said, I also post a sign on the door asking them to ring the bell or to knock, and if I am with someone, it may be a few minutes before I can get to them, but to feel free to look around the outside of the house.  With this, I have had a two couples in 5 years that have actually left before I got to them.  I still figure it is better to be safe than to have someone running amuck through a house without a watchful eye.  After all, WE are all ultimately responsible for their home while we are there, and also during showings. 

My 4 cents worth.. (Inflation)

Sellers want open houses yet they have no idea of the liability exposure. We promise to only bring prequalified prospects, yet there we are, letting anyone in. Sign in sheets are a start, but one agent in my area does collect photo IDs before granting entry and escorting people through.

However, without a groundswell of licensees doing this the few who are smart enough to cover their rear ends look like overcautious nuts.

What good is collecting ID's unless you have a full computer system setup in the home with scanner?  Are you going to remember every person just because you held their ID for awhile?  And I'd guess that many buyers would have an issue giving out their IDs to be scanned in order to preview a home.  I know I would.

Opens houses are not where prequalified buyers go and the sellers should be made aware of that.  I don't do open houses, but if I did, I think I'd have to have the sellers sign a hold-harmless agreement or similar, as there is risk involved, especially in a down economy.

We personally don't think open houses are helpful to the seller and don't do a lot of them unless pressured by them. We do tell our sellers the pitfalls of opening their home to the general public and let them decide if they really think it's worth the effort. Sure, we have gotten some buyers off of them but we use security issues, which are legitimate, as one reason we don't love having them on a regular basis. Most people don't appreciate how dangerous our profession can be but we advise agents to be smart when holding open houses.

HMMMM You certainly raise some interesting points with this one.  Maybe we should start asking for drivers licenses...  I suppose it is up to what the seller wants us to do...