There is no specific "practice" required.  No amount of Alan May brochures, or business cards, etc.. will convince Open House viewers to use me.

What will resonate with viewers is that you appear professional, knowledgeable about the property, neighbourhood and local market, and that you can connect with them.

In my market, when I was new, the listing agent would put out the open house signs and run an ad in the newspaper advertising the open house.  I would sit the open house and try to get buyers.  If a buyer has signed papers to work with another agent you show them the house and wish them well. If they are not attached to an agent you show them the house, see if it is their dream home,  and if not, make an appointment with them to go over what they are looking for.

When I have an open house Jenny Ho I just do as much visiting as I can and try to find bonding ties. Just before they leave I ask if I can give them my card. They almost always say yes even if they are working with another agent. Then I ask if they are working with another agent. If they say yes I always speak highly of the other agent and then I say if I can be of help in the future to please give me a call.

  So what if they are "working with another agent"?   Do they have an Exclusive Buyer Brokerage Contract with that agent, or some other legal agreement that binds them to that agent?

    If Buyers say they are "working with another agent", find out if they have a Buyer's Broker Agreement.  If they are just going around with some Agent that does not have a legally binding Representation agreement with that Buyer, then that Buyer is Fair Game!  

      No agent in my state of Florida can claim that they "own" a Buyer, unless they are under exclusive buyer brokerage agreement (single agency) with that Buyer.  Do not be intimidated by other agents!  (Check with your State's laws, see your Broker, consult a lawyer for legal advice).

  -------------

  Evelyn Johnston said something similar.

   Carla Muss-Jacobs, Principal Broker (503) 810-7192 is an exclusive Buyer's Broker.  She may also have some input on this topic.

When buyers show up who are working with another agent, you really have to honor their relationship, whether you are opening up your own listing or that of a colleague.  Flirting with other agents clients will get you a terrible reputaion - perhaps worse than if you'd been flirting with the colleagues' husbands!

Jennifer Mackay has the right idea.

Hosting an open house is hosting an open house whether it's your listing or not. You cannot "filch" another agent's clients because they came to your open house without their agent. That's not a nice way of generating leads.

I respect another agent's client even if they are not present so I provide information and back off. I do ask however if they know anyone else interested in buying or selling real estate.

Evelyn  Johnston and Alan May have given you great advice on this.

I like Alan May's comment..he's right there is no specific "practice" required except appear professional, knowledgeable about the home, community and market area!

Ditto under Alan May and Evelyn Johnston Good luck.

I like Alan May 's answer as well as Evelyn Johnston 's. Be as helpful and knowledgeable as possible with information about the area and the local maker (but don't give it all away, just a hint that you can offer even more that they can benefit from).

If they are working with someone else you have to honor that relationship. Don't try to poach clients. 

I used to do other agents listings when I liked theirs better than mine lol. Lots of reasons to do it. If you like the house, I think it's easier.

Jenny,

I believe that Evelyn Johnston and Alan May gave you great answers.  I could not possibly improve on perfection.  A

When buyers are working with another, you do NOT interfere.

Well, you're there first to sell that home. But as you escort the "leaving"  buyers to say goodbye at the front door, you can ask, "would you like a copy of the seller's disclosures or the HOA or latest market stats or etc?"  Pick one you think they'd be interested in. Then ask for their email and send it to them.   Then, find a few other things they might enjoy like an "area map" or a "list of open houses the next weekend" ....sending them things and acting friendly helps them remember you. 

If they are working with another agent you cannot cross that ethical line and try to win over their clients.  You can offer to send their agent more information about the house...but then they have to admit their agent's name if they actually have one. :>)  

Best of luck!!! 

Have your laptop open to your website, and anyone not working with an agent try to have them register - now you have a valid lead

Any one working with an agent, give your card and explain if they become unhappy with their current agent you're available to help them

You win some and you lose some. Be professioanl and press on!

Whatever buyer comes to the Open House is yours. Simply asked if they are working with an agent. If they say yes, then you stop.

make sure you're familiar with the details of the listing so you can answer questions.... make sure you have a sign in sheet..... if a buyer shows up without their buyer agent, get the name of the buyer agent and follow up to make sure the buyer agent follows up....that buyer has representation, and it would be wise to NOT INTERFERE with that relationship!!!  just represent the seller, as you SHOULD BE DOING....

There is not much you can do to prevent the public to attend open hous evenets when they already have a buyers agent. That is just the 'nature of the beast'!

You certainly get mor eleads of teh buyers have not already hired another agent. I choose agents who want to do an open house for me carefully as they can hurt me mor ethan help some times.

Our state has rules for open houses.

The listing agent should work for same broker as you would be one best practice. Don't solicit buyers that show up that are already working with another agent.

Always a good use of time, even if for another's listings.  You will meet some unattached buyers, and the others will be folks to practice your presentation skills with.

Use your open house signs ( a lot of them) and all other customized marketing materials. Be friendly and prepared.

Follow up the next day and thank everyone for stopping by. 

Good luck. 

There is more than one best practice.  It depends on many factors.

I ask if they have an agent why he does not showing them homes. I do.

Simple script: Great. (Give them your business card) If your Real Estate Agent has any question please tell them to give me a call. Sometimes they say that so you won't bombard them with calls and emails. But sometimes they can end up calling you based on how your interaction with them . Some potential home buyers and sellers are monitoring you sometimes at open houses because they are looking for a Real Estate Agent to help them buy and/or sell their next house. I wished I would've known that a long time ago. 

Just be professional and showcase the home.  Nothing you can do about customers already represented by other agents.

Jenny Ho - learn everything about the home. Answer like PRO. Take all the details from guests and follow up with them with a Thank You note.

Good Luck.

Jenny, there really is no best practice that I'm aware of.  Just make sure that you are primarily trying to sell the house, not yourself.  If I allowed an agent to host an open house for me (which I do NOT allow), that would be a key item that would need to be agreed upon first.  I would also charge a referal fee for any business they pick up from it, but that's just me.

These days most say they have an agent.

Know everything there is to know about the house. Know the schools. Have answers for buyers.  I have had many buyers show up at an open house with their agent, and those who are working with an agent ... still call me and ask me to represent them.  Its not hard to outshine what other agents do for their clients. We have to do the WORK ... its about more than just showing up.

I personally prefer to host my own open houses and not hold them open for others as my job is to sell that home.  While there may be some "hosting" agents that have that intent, I don't typically see that way -- sorry, just my observation.

If you can make one good connection at an open house, that's great in my opinion.  You welcome the visitor, explain some of the highlights of the property and ask if they will stop by and give you some feedback when they are finished. Always be professional.   If they are working with an agent -- be cordial/polite and let that agent know one of their clients came by --- you'll gain a lot of credit(but sadly not much $$$).   Be mindful of your time and hopefully discover what works best for you.  

Good luck.

We don't do Open Houses...however... Alan May nailed this one...