When you go to an open house and are just being nosy...

[IIOY]

What do you say to the agent who is at the house?

My neighbors, who have exactly the same model as us, are selling their house and having an open house, and I'm being nosy because we are talking about selling our house.  Should I be honest about why I am there, or lie through my teeth about my intentions?

[Susie]

You can just be honest. They hear it all the time. It's not like you requested a showing.

Try to avoiding giving the listing agent your email (or give them the address of your "for spam" email account), or you will get bombarded.

[TBM]

Realtors know that mostly nosy neighbors come to open houses. We've been told by more than one realtor that realtors have open houses hoping to get future clients, not necessarily to sell the house they are showing.

[lolc]

I usually say that I have a friend or relative from out of town that is looking to buy in my area and I told them I would take a peek at some open houses for them.

[magdala]

Usually I say "just looking" since that is what I am doing.

[IIOY]

May 29, 2013 12:48:42 GMT -5 TBM said:

Realtors know that mostly nosy neighbors come to open houses. We've been told by more than one realtor that realtors have open houses hoping to get future clients, not necessarily to sell the house they are showing.

I've heard this as well.

[ktzmoh]

Im up front with them. It's in my interest to give the realtor information about the neighborhood and I think realtors are always always looking for potential clients so I typically ask for their card.

[pitterwoo]

I just tell them I'm a neighbor. Doesn't bother me to say it and they leave me alone vs lying and saying you're in the market.

[Deleted]

Ditto everyone, honesty is fine. Plus, those agents want your listing too ;-)