Open House Etiquette
I seem to remember this topic a while back. I would like to go to open houses as an interested neighbor (read that lookieloo) but feel it may be bad form. For those who go to open houses, what it the proper way to address brokers as they meet you. Is it okay to just…
I seem to remember this topic a while back. I would like to go to open houses as an interested neighbor (read that lookieloo) but feel it may be bad form. For those who go to open houses, what it the proper way to address brokers as they meet you. Is it okay to just look?
11:44am, that’s such a good point. Seeing what neighbors have done with their homes is helpful when planning renovations.
I’ve been to OH as a nosy neighbor, after we bought our house and were looking for renovation ideas in Victorian Flatbush. As I walked in the door, I told the brokers that I had just bought and was looking what others in the hood have down with their homes. They didn’t seem to mind, and a few of them gave me contractor recommendations, one of which worked out great!
For open houses, we hid our valuables in a box tucked way up on a closet shelf. I even take jewelry and expensive beauty products out of the bathroom when we have bigger parties, when we don’t personally know all the guests. Sometimes people have sticky fingers due to psychological issues. Many years ago I had a roomate’s houseguest steal a ring from me. It was only sterling not gold or precious, but I loved that ring. This particular girl was just crazy; she wasn’t in need of money. Another time at a big party I had a tube of expensive lipstick stolen from a bathroom drawer.
Back to topic, I always go to neighbors’ open houses, but I always tell the realtor very discreetly (don’t announce it out loud) that I’m a neighbor taking a look. I’ve never seen them have a problem with it. They do appreciate having lots of people in the place, also neighbors can tell friends about the place. People usually move to areas where they have at least one friend.
I’ve popped in at open houses in my building and told the broker that I was a nosy neighbor. Sometimes I think they don’t care who’s there as long as someone is – any traffic makes the sign-in sheet look better and gives the feeling of a desirable property.
About people stealing from open houses: we put away jewelry, checkbooks, cameras, iPods, prescription medicines – not that we would have had it out in the open, but we took it out of drawers and moved it into boxes that go in an inaccessible place. Even with a vigilant broker, it’s possible for anyone to quickly open a drawer and grab something. We haven’t noticed anything missing, though friends have lost their Zagat’s guide and a mobile phone charger.
Is it common for people to steal from open houses?
My broker told me that the more people who show up, the higher the bidding can get due to actual buyers thinking there is more competition. I went to one open house because I wanted to see what they did with a similar feature our homes share that was giving me some frustration. I was honest with the broker who thanked me for my honesty. I just was quick, unobtrusive, and polite. People just looking I would think are expected. Just don’t steal anything!
I don’t see what’s wrong with looking. I would just tell them that’s what you’re there to do.
I hear brokers actually appreciate if you tell them the truth, I’m just a curious neighbor, then they can focus their efforts on the potential buyers.