Remember access to a public open house is a privilege!
When visiting a public open house do be respectful of the home owner, the property and the agent hosting the open house. Do not be surprised if the agent hosting the open house asks you for your name, contact information and whether or not you are working with a realtor. The agent is responsible for the safety of the home and its contents, he or she has a right to know whom they are allowing through the property. If for any reason you absolutely do not want the sales representative to contact you following the open house please advise him or her of this and make sure they note your preference on their guest list.
Consider this, if this was your home being shown at a public open house, would you not want your real estate sales representative to be equally diligent and responsible in protecting your property?
Visiting open houses can give you a quick start in getting to recognize property values for a specific neighborhood. It is also an excellent way to meet a realtor that you may enjoy working with, someone who can assist you to sell your existing home or find a new home.
For the sales representative an open house is an excellent way to help her/him promote a listing to the general public, something which is important in any market. The open house just might attract a buyer who otherwise would not have seen this property. Perhaps the agent you are currently working with is not aware of all the benefits of the specific listing on open house. Or perhaps your agent may know about this listing but it does not fit within the original guidelines you had given her/him regarding the type of home and location you had specified. Either way, this might be a house that you would have missed if not for the open house. And yes, in anticipation of the next question “I have sold a listed house at or immediately following a public open house.”
I personally also consider open houses an ideal time to conduct a series of mini job interviews. Not only does it give you a chance to briefly interview me, it also gives me an opportunity to meet you. Often times we know very quickly whether or not we are comfortable with a new person we meet. If at an open house we feel that we can communicate well with each other than a further more private meeting can be scheduled to address your specific real estate needs.
Looking forward to meeting you at one of my open houses or by appointment!
Diane Mageau
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