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The Proper Open House Protocol!

By
Real Estate Agent with Triinity Realty and Investment 12345   

When holding an open house do you just let the buyer wonder willy nilly around the house or do you follow them around not unlike a used car salesman?

Something happened this weekend at an open house that has given my partner and I pause in how we hold an open house. Historically we have always asked the buyer to sign a guest book and then walked them around the property. Well a couple of months ago we were at a seminar where a very successful agent explained his open house protocol. He would hand the buyer a clip board with a detailed questionnaire and ask them to complete the questionnaire as they walked around the property unfettered by an agent. We did find that the buyer was much more apt to complete the questionnaire and I might add in detail. However, last week during an open house we had three gentlemen show up. They said they lived in the neighborhood and introduced themselves as the dad and his two sons. We handed them the clip board and off they went. It was not a large condo so they looked at the downstairs and then headed for the second floor. We could hear them talking but after about 10 minutes (the place was not that big) I decided to check on them. I headed up the stairs to find the dad and one son standing at the landing and the other son was in the master bedroom. They immediately followed me back down and the dad then took the questionnaire from the clip board and said since he lived in the area we didn't need the info! Boy, that really made us feel better! We decided right then and there to go back to the old method.

Kathy Denworth
BHHS Keys Real Estate - Islamorada, FL
Realtor in the Florida Keys, Islamorada, Key Largo

I believe in strolling near the potential buyer to ensure nothing ends up in their pockets, pants or purse and to make sure that any window or door they open are closed and locked. Of course they believe I am near in case they have questions.

Mar 24, 2011 06:19 AM
Linda K. Mayer
License # 01767321 - La Verne, CA
Realtor, SRES, SoCAL, A REALTOR YOU CAN TRUST

I agree with Kathy.  I don't want to be responsible for something that's missing after my open house.  Usually there is no problem with that, however, in this economy people are doing desperate things like going to open houses and stealing...

I do, however love the quesionnaire idea.  I may just have to try that!  Thanks for the suggestion.

Mar 24, 2011 06:27 AM
Michele Norris
Crystal Realty - Incline Village Nevada - Incline Village, NV
((( Buy or Sell, Call Michele ))) Lake Tahoe NV

Hi Dave,

If I was selling my home, and my Agent just let folks wander around, I'm not so sure I'd be comfortable with that. The successful agent who suggested this, I'd be curious to know what else lends to his success...

Mar 24, 2011 06:29 AM
Dave Singery
Triinity Realty and Investment - Whittier, CA
Friendly Hills Homes - Whittier Ca

Kathy, that was how we had always done it and will again!

Linda, the questionnaire is great but will have to find out if they will complete it now that they wont be alone. I would be glad to email it to you if you send me your email address

Michele, he is successful certainly for more than this. I agree that the risk is to high unless the house is vacant

Mar 24, 2011 06:43 AM
Rachell Jackson
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Naperville, IL
Realtor, Naperville, Oswego, Plainfield

Dave - Interesting that the Dad and sons felt no need to answer any of the questions and split up during the walk-through.  Seems that they were just lookey loo's with no real interest in purchasing the home.  I like the clipboard idea, however prior to letting them walk around I would walk the house and hide all of the things that commonly come up missing. 

 

 

Thanks for the post. 

Mar 24, 2011 06:59 AM
Dave Singery
Triinity Realty and Investment - Whittier, CA
Friendly Hills Homes - Whittier Ca

Rachell, we always tell our clients to make sure they remove the valuables from the property or lock them up. It might of been quite innocent but...

Mar 24, 2011 07:23 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

We don't need no badges. not stinking clipboard either it seems. Scoping the place out?

May 20, 2011 11:15 AM