Do’s and Don’ts for Open Houses
There are many rules to follow when it comes to Open Houses. There are rules for the buyers, rules for the sellers, and of course rules for the agent to follow. Here are just a few of the Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind when attending or hosting an Open House.
For the Buyer Do:
Do: Attend the viewing with your buyer’s agent. This way you have your representative there with you. Your agent most likely has attended countless Open Houses over their career, so any guesswork on your part can be avoided with your agent on hand. Since your agent will most likely be handling any negotiation for you, they’re your first line of defense. So, why not have them there up front? If your agent is not available to attend with you, put their name and phone number on the sign-in sheet, so then the listing broker does not assume you are unrepresented.
Do: Greet the broker immediately. If you don’t see one right away upon entrance, say hello and wait for an answer. Perhaps the agent is busy with another potential buyer, wait until they are free before going through the house on your own. If you’ve arrived at a super busy time, the broker should be aware of this and give group tours of the home if everyone is amenable to that.
Do: Be respectful and treat the home as you’d like other visitors to treat your own home. This can include asking about taking off your shoes to walk through the home, shutting doors gently, asking before turning on any lights or faucets and don’t go off in unknown areas alone. Also, if you’ve brought children along, keep them close at hand and well-behaved.
Do: Keep your ears open. While you’re here to ask your questions, you might hear some answers you didn’t know you needed by merely listening to other prospective buyers and their questions. You might also hear some additional information about the home you didn’t know.
For the Buyer Don’ts:
Don’t: Take photos or video without asking. Before you take out that phone camera to snap photos of the space, keep in mind that this home you’re viewing is, in fact, someone’s home. So, err on the side of caution and ask the homeowner or the agent if it’s OK to take photos/video. It’s also helpful to share your reasoning for footage with them—it will help put them at ease. Most likely, you’ll be given permission. But it’s always the best bet to ask first. You don’t want to be on anyone’s wrong side when it comes to a possible home purchase.
Don’t: Open any doors that are closed without asking the broker. There may be a personal reason the door to a room is closed. A broker will usually put a sign-up or tape across a door letting you know the designated area is off limits.
Don’t: Touch personal things in the home. While you’ll want to touch and feel as much as you can regarding the home’s foundation, again, keep in mind that this is someone’s home filled with personal belongings. You don’t want to be held accountable if anything breaks or disappears from the home during the Open House. You’ll be doing both the homeowner and yourself a favor by going in with a hands-off personal belongings policy.
Don’t: Use any disparaging or derogatory language about the appearance or condition of the home. Someone’s home is a reflection of themselves, and nobody wants to hear negativity. Any home furnishings and décor decisions are all up to opinion. And that opinion isn’t yours to make until you’re the homeowner yourself. So, keep it classy and save your opinions until you’re safely in the car and out of earshot of others who might be influenced by your remarks.
For the Seller Do:
Do: Make sure the home is clean, uncluttered and showcased in the best possible light. A surefire way to dissuade buyers is to present your home as messy or unmanageable. It’s a great excuse to clean and declutter anyway, so take advantage of the opportunity. You’ll also have less to pack when you start boxing up your belongings for moving day.
Do: Make yourself scarce during the viewing. While you’ll be curious and may be anxious about the Open House, it’s best that you let your agent handle the viewing without you there. They’re professionals, and they know what they’re doing to showcase your home to the right buyers.
Do: Spread the news to the neighbors. Let your neighbors know that you’re hosting an Open House, and make them aware of the date and time. They may know someone looking to buy a new home, and you’ll make them feel included in the process. It’s also nice to give them a heads-up as to why they might see strangers in the neighborhood that day.
For the Sellers Don’ts:
Don’t: Create any distractions in the home. There are some tricks that home sellers sometimes enlist to add to the appeal of the home: lit candles, fresh-baked cookies, fresh flowers. But some sellers go to the extreme and employ some unsuccessful, over-the-top tactics. Live entertainment is fun and can draw a crowd, but it can distract from the actual purpose of presenting the home to a serious buyer.
Don’t: Invite your friends to stop by. An Open House is not an invitation to a party. Again, the intention is to sell your home, and this is a serious business transaction that should be handled as such. Only invite those friends who have expressed serious interest in purchasing your home. And let your agent handle any interaction with them in regards to the price and sale. That age-old adage of mixing friends with business also applies to selling your home.
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