Open House Questions - Let The Buyers Agent Lead The Way

By
Real Estate Agent with HomeSmart Real Estate AZ Broker BR030809000

Open House Questions - Let The Buyers Agent Lead The Way

Today my clients and I attended an open house while viewing a few other homes in an area.  The home showed very nicely and the backyard was an oasis. The agent was friendly and quite knowledgeable regarding the home. My clients weren't sure about the area as it's a relatively 'newer' area and they're not from the Phoenix Metro area. They're looking for a very specific type of floor plan, which is rare, so I opted to give them several options and areas so they could get a 'feel' for each area and what it had to offer them.

Finding the perfect Moon Valley Phoenix Home

At first they liked the look and feel of the neighborhood. Very clean, well kept neighborhood and quiet which is what they're looking for, rather than a busy downtown/urban lifestyle. They were concerned about the available amenities such as shops, restaurants, movie theaters etc.

Instead of waiting for me to address their concerns, the open house agent went on and on and  got a bit 'defensive' in his stance regarding what was available. Both myself and my partner glanced at each other, thinking, really he's going "there"? That's interesting.....what's going on with this guy?

 

We knew what our clients were looking for and could have easily guided them to where to find these amenities within 20 minutes or so of this neighborhood as well as add on many other ideas for them. The open house agent continued on talking, leaving no open seconds for anybody else to chime in. He continued to talk about things that I knew my clients had absolutely no interest in what-so-ever. It seemed as if just didn't understand that it's best to step aside when another agent brings their clients to an open house - unless asked specific questions. Sure he should be friendly and welcoming but he crossed way over the line. It's a much better idea for the open house agent to let the buyers agents know you'll be there should they have any questions. Buyers agents almost always know their clients wants and needs (well) and can better address them these wants and needs. And - if need be - can ask the open house agent for further clarification. Makes sense to me....

 

Open House Questions - Let The Buyers Agent Lead The Way

 

 

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Comments (29)

Randy Shamburger
Movement Mortgage - Greenville, SC
FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional Mortgage Expert

Hey Anna,

Great points, thanks for sharing.

Have a Big day,

Randy

Jan 13, 2014 01:57 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH Real Estate - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Anna, so many agents just don't know when to turn on the brain-to-mouth filter mechanism.  And I agree that open house agents should open the house, not the mouth.

Jan 13, 2014 02:13 AM
Charlie Dresen
The Group, Inc - Steamboat Springs, CO
Steamboat Springs, CO e-Pro

Good point, Anna.

 

Jan 13, 2014 02:24 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Anna,

So, so true, many of the real estate agents do not know how to stop talking.  It sounds like desperation to me on the part of the listing agent.  This is where Ron would have looked up at something, and said, "Did You See That".  That always stopped people who are on automatic, and then beat a hasty retreat...LOL.  A

Jan 13, 2014 02:40 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Too bad the Seller agent can't see that he could drive that Buyer away. The bad feelings he creates could easily transfer over to the house itself... the house with THAT  agent ... isn't good.

Jan 13, 2014 02:52 AM
Myra Gouger, RRG, ABR, SRES, CPDE, CPRES
Urban Nest Realty - Las Vegas, NV
Realty ONE, LV. You are my most important client.

Good points for all of us to remember whether we are buyers' or sellers' agents. Sometimes it is best to just take them to properties and just let them do the "like-ing" rather than constantly talk them into "like-ing" the property.

Jan 13, 2014 03:03 AM
Suzanne Otto
Six Twenty Designs - Lansdale, PA
Your Montgomery County PA home stager

Maybe he was nervous and went on information overload? Or he just likes to hear himself talk :)

Jan 13, 2014 03:05 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Randy - thanks.

Patricia - that's a good way of putting it!

Charlie - thanks.

Alexandra - squirrel!  Works every time!

Janice - yes just because he's a raving fan of the area doesn't mean he should chime in too much.  Listen and let the buyers agent know you're there if needed.

Myra - I never understood the idea of talking somebody into liking a home. I know upfront what my buyers want and it's up to them to decide if they like the home or not. Not to say we can't point out the features etc - we should as they may not be aware of all of them.

Suzanne there are just some folks that like to talk even when they're saying nothing much or worse!

Jan 13, 2014 03:15 AM
Dan Dee McGinnis The Pumpkin Man
Phoenix, AZ
The Pumpkin Man

Anna

isn't it amazing how some people just feel they need to step in and can't keep their mouth shut

Jan 13, 2014 03:18 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Hey Dan - you got that one right!

Jan 13, 2014 03:39 AM
Marc McMaster
RE/MAX Centre Realty - State College, PA
Putting my clients before myself

Most agents spend too much time talking and not enough time listening to what people are really looking for. 

Jan 13, 2014 08:54 AM
Karen Feltman
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Wow.  You had more patience than I would have.  I would have had your partner escort your buyers out and I would have politely and professionally told him that he had crossed the line.  If you say nothing to him, he will just continue to do that.  There are agents like him in every market.  The ones that talk to hear themselves talk, they don't care if anyone is listening.  Best of luck to your buyers!  I am sure that you will find them a great home.

Jan 13, 2014 09:35 AM
Rebecca Foresee
Alain Pinel Realtors - Morgan Hill, CA
Let's foresee the possibilities . and get results!

Anna, Our flapping lips cause us to trip more often than any other reason I can think of.  Thank you for sharing.

Jan 13, 2014 09:40 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Some simply don't know when to keep their trap shut, and can't. Sounds like he was really pulling a sales job on you and your clients that had absolutely the wrong impact.

Jan 13, 2014 12:47 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

The open ouse agent forgot why he was there in the first place. If people come to your open house with an agent, stay out of it, I say, and let the agent who knows his or her clients handle the showing.

Jan 13, 2014 08:33 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Anna, I had a similar experience once . I could not talk to my clients at all as the agent followed us around and talked.

Jan 13, 2014 09:08 PM
Ed (Edward) Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

It may be great that the agent is so knowledgeable, but the purpose was to sell the house, not showcase themselves. Foolish

Jan 13, 2014 09:49 PM
Jill Saddler
Draper, UT
Draper Utah Real Estate Professional - 25 years+!

I couldn't agree with you more! LISTEN to your clients!

Jan 13, 2014 11:22 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Anna - This is one of my pet peeves. I don't mind the listing agent being there to help show the house, and I understand that this was an open house situation, but the key is to give some basic information then hang back and be AVAILABLE to answer questions, not to talk incessantly.

Jan 13, 2014 11:46 PM
Jeff Fritzson: Frisco Real Estate Pro
Jeff Fritzson Real Estate, Ebby Halliday Realtors - Frisco, TX
Your Success is My Focus!

HI Anna - whenever an agent brings a clietn in to an open house, the other agent should respect that there is a relationship already established. Interfering with that is a no-no in somany ways. Sorry you had to deal with that situation.

Jan 15, 2014 03:27 AM