{"id":12862,"date":"2019-11-27T15:49:28","date_gmt":"2019-11-27T23:49:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=12862"},"modified":"2019-12-03T14:37:54","modified_gmt":"2019-12-03T22:37:54","slug":"buyer-open-house-etiquette","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-open-house-etiquette\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Open House Etiquette Fails You Can Learn From"},"content":{"rendered":"

Open houses offer a sweet deal for visitors. Whether you go to indulge in the free wine and snacks, sign up for giveaways, or gush over waterfront views, you\u2019re welcome to drop by.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the beauty of an open-door policy (and why attending open houses has become somewhat of a hobby for real estate enthusiasts). There\u2019s no reason why you can\u2019t enjoy these events, especially as a serious buyer on a mission.<\/p>\n

But just like any public outing, there are expectations for what\u2019s polite and courteous\u2026and what will draw attention as being rude or inconsiderate.<\/p>\n

Rather than present you with a bunch of boring rules, we\u2019ve made it a little more fun with a list of buyers you don\u2019t<\/i> want to be just because you weren\u2019t familiar with open house etiquette:<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Source: (Sandy Millar\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. The permissive parent<\/h2>\n

Whether you should bring kids to an open house<\/a> is a dilemma any parent understands.<\/p>\n

In many cases, depending on your child\u2019s age, temperament, and how much planning you\u2019re able to do, it\u2019s often better to hire a sitter and leave the kids at home. Towing them along presents safety risks and headaches for you as a parent.<\/p>\n

But it isn\u2019t always possible to find child care when both spouses work (which is the case for 66% of American families<\/a>) or if you stop by an open house spontaneously and have the kids with you. In that case you\u2019ll need to keep a close watch and set some ground rules.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you bring your kids to an open house, don\u2019t let them run around unsupervised, or interrupt the home tours<\/a>,\u201d says top-performing agent Ann-Marie Sharp<\/a> of the Atlanta, Georgia suburb of Cumming.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell your kids to be respectful and treat the house like it\u2019s a museum, so that the seller\u2019s agent doesn\u2019t need to be concerned about damage to their client\u2019s property.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Try to avoid scheduling back-to-back open houses with kids, too. Take breaks to have lunch or split up the tours over a couple of days. Even if you\u2019ve scheduled breaks, be aware of your kids\u2019 energy levels and attitudes so that you know when they\u2019re about to hit a wall.<\/p>\n

2. The early bird or late arriver<\/h2>\n

This one is an age-old rule that Emily Post<\/a> included in her iconic book on etiquette way back in 1922: Do not arrive at an open-house party<\/a> too early, or too late.<\/p>\n

Open houses are by definition<\/a> events that invite guests to come and go as they please \u2014 but that only holds true for the duration of the event.<\/p>\n

If an open house is scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m., don\u2019t show up at 1:15 or 5:30 and expect to be welcomed with open arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost real estate agents are on the clock 24\/7, but we still do have families,\u201d\u00a0 says Sharp.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen buyers arrive at the open house after hours, that may intrude on our valuable family time \u2014 not to mention the homeowners, who simply want to come home after the open house and live their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you can\u2019t make it during the open house hours, schedule a private showing at a later date.<\/p>\n

3. The helicopter buyer<\/h2>\n

When you\u2019re the only buyer at an open house, it\u2019s natural for the seller\u2019s agent to give you their full attention. However, if you\u2019re at a well-attended open house party, don\u2019t monopolize the agent\u2019s time.<\/p>\n

Open houses offer a large number of buyers a first look at the house, simply to learn if the house has the right size, layout, or design to suit their needs.<\/p>\n

If you decide you\u2019re serious about purchasing it, chat with your own agent about your interest and to come up with a list of questions you\u2019d like to ask the listing agent.<\/p>\n

Then have your agent set up a showing to find out more information and discuss what it will take to put together a successful offer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Source: (Daniel Tseng\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. The mysterious lurker<\/h2>\n

No agent likes a buyer who\u2019s constantly in their face with endless questions, but there is such a thing as being too quiet at an open house.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur rule is safety first. So, I\u2019m always wary at open houses, especially when a potential buyer expects me to walk ahead of them into the basement or a closet,\u201d says Sharp.<\/p>\n

Some buyers are introverts who hate crowds and parties. If you\u2019d rather have a one-on-one, private conversation about the property with the listing agent, the open house isn\u2019t the place for that.<\/p>\n

Instead, have your agent arrange a private showing for just you, your agent, and the listing agent.<\/p>\n

5. The private investigator<\/h2>\n

You\u2019re welcome to open a closet or two at the open house and peek in the kitchen cabinets to get a feel for a home\u2019s storage space<\/a>. But don\u2019t act like you\u2019re searching a crime scene. If you\u2019d like to make an offer, you\u2019ll be able to check out a house more in depth at that time.<\/p>\n

Until then, you shouldn\u2019t:<\/p>\n