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Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Just because they came to the open house doesn't mean it is a home they want to buy. After the features have been presented and the customer seems uninterested or asks about other homes I think their is no problem presenting other options.

Nov 10, 2015 08:08 AM
Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Offer to set up an appointment to talk about other options. And I will tell them the open house is for me to showcase my client's house, just as my time with a buyer is their time.  

Nov 10, 2015 07:17 AM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

It depends on where I am holding my Open House.  In Maryland, you may not have this conversation during the open, but you may offer to call the prospect back when you are finished.  In DC and Virginia, it is at least legal to have a conversation about other homes that are for sale.  And when they see what else is actually out there, the listing I am holding open may look a whole lot better.  If, on the other hand you are overpriced and the place smells like my Labradoodle, I may sell them one of the competition. 

And in this area, I'm guessing the majority of homes sell to someone who comes through the Open House.  They are an important marketing tool.

Nov 10, 2015 11:05 AM
Rainmaker
2,362,579
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Maryland Real Estate Commission has answered this for us - we are not allowed to answer that question at the open house. We are there representing the seller - end of discussion! 

Nov 10, 2015 09:38 AM
Ambassador
1,452,569
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

And this is why I have never held a home open.  I can't imagine looking the Seller in the eye and saying it is being held for their best interest.  It is like moving your office into the Seller's living room and conducting new business there.  YIKES

Nov 10, 2015 08:25 AM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

I would say that there is no balance needed. You show this unrepresented customer the home, and if they are not interested in it, then you get their contact info and let them know you will be more than happy to talk or meet with them after the open house to discuss other options for them.

Nov 10, 2015 08:12 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

If the person at the open isn't interested in that home then there is no issue in my mind.  You can't force them to buy just this home.  As long as you have presented the open in it's best light no issue

Nov 10, 2015 07:37 AM
Rainmaker
7,834,945
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

The agent simply needs to follow the state regulations and the policy of their broker. 

Nov 10, 2015 07:31 AM
Rainmaker
4,160,025
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

This is very good question.

Nov 10, 2015 07:04 AM
Ambassador
6,392,879
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Our clients understand that the open is not just to sell their home.

Feb 02, 2019 11:11 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,848
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

In California you are allowed to have the discussion.  I keep a sheet of comps for the area with me for when a prospective buyer questions the price because "some online place" had a different one listed.  If someone wants to see a property, I'll either set an appointment or if there are multiple agents working the open house, one of us will show the house.

Nov 11, 2015 08:55 AM
Rainmaker
900,008
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Since one of the reasons for doing an Open House is to attract prospective buyers, I usually have a list of other similar homes on hand. Clearly, the OH is for the seller and we are required to post a sign specifying we are working for the seller, but that particular home is not for everyone.

Nov 11, 2015 05:10 AM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good Wednesday morning. That is an interesting question and I do have to agree with some of the other answers. They just might be fishing.

Nov 10, 2015 06:01 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

It depends what is in that house, since you a vacant empty house does not require the  same attention as a house full of antiques. 

Nov 10, 2015 03:58 PM
Rainmaker
1,577,943
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

I try not to hold open houses because this comes up. I allow open houses from other agents if the sellers are ok with that. I tell them that the agents are looking for buyers, it's up to them. 

Nov 10, 2015 09:24 AM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

Make an appointment to do a virtual tour of other homes.

Nov 10, 2015 08:31 AM
Rainmaker
292,685
Jack Lewitz
Exit Strategy Realty - Evanston, IL

open houses are a good source for agents to attract new buyer clients. I do not see a problem talking to anyone who attends a open house .

Nov 10, 2015 07:49 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

It's never about my own interests. It's always about the person who is requesting information.

Nov 10, 2015 07:06 AM