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Rainmaker
4,673,037
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Even those who identify themselves as a "lookie lou" may be a prospective client eventually.  It's an open house event nothing more. 

Jun 06, 2019 04:31 AM
Ambassador
6,590,395
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Ben Kinneys open house script, one simple question, gets to the point.

https://vimeo.com/180808134

Jun 06, 2019 05:20 AM
Rainmaker
925,798
Jeff Pearl
Samson Properties / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

I avoid pre-judging people. Whether they're serious or not serious, it will show soon enough.

Jun 06, 2019 03:33 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

They say, "I'm a nosey neighbor just taking a look."

That works for me.

Be aware, all human behavior is about avoiding shame. When face-to=face with a real estate agent, all people want to do is be invisible.  That does not equate to 'lookie-lou.'

Jun 06, 2019 05:04 AM
Rainmaker
1,862,762
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Naww, I don't believe it at all. I do get tired of all the people that are looking for decorating tips.

Jun 06, 2019 04:54 AM
Rainmaker
5,038,547
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

A stranger is just a friend you have not met.  A lookie lou is a client I have not met yet.

Jun 06, 2019 02:07 AM
Rainmaker
530,576
Joseph Domino 480-390-6011
HomeSmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Real Estate Made Easy

As long as they just lookie, but don't touchie they are welcome.

Jun 06, 2019 06:31 AM
Rainmaker
915,003
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

One giveaway is you see them at every open house...

Jun 06, 2019 05:47 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,159
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I do not judge by sight, but by the answers to their questions. I ask if they have a buyer agent? then ask if they are pre qualifed? with you?  Do they have to sell a home before they buy? are they ready to buy now? How many homes have they looked at?

Jun 06, 2019 05:18 AM
Rainmaker
8,049,026
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Nope. All are welcome.

Jun 06, 2019 05:06 AM
Rainmaker
650,285
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

Number one give away is they refuse to sign the guest registration. Most noise  neighbors announce themselves.

Jun 06, 2019 03:45 AM
Rainmaker
3,627,372
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

For me it's a gut feeling, rarely has it failed me.  A dead giveaway is when they walk through and nothing is said.  They spend very little time in the home and their dress doesn't fit to the price of the home

Jun 06, 2019 01:46 AM
Ambassador
3,224,141
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
The best agent in Southern Utah!

Lookie Lou's are usually the ones that peek through the windows AFTER the open house is over!

Jun 06, 2019 06:43 AM
Rainmaker
1,086,302
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I can smell them over the phone!
What gives them away?
They think they know everything because they have been looking FOREVAH! They don't have available funds 'but it won't be a problem'.

And they've talked to EVERYONE.
Boy. BYE!

Jun 06, 2019 06:03 AM
Rainmaker
771,055
Peter Testa
Kiwi Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

I'd imagine you would get a lot of Lookers at an Open House- nosy neighbors, professional lookers, people who aren't ready to buy & people who have no idea what the price is. 

Jun 06, 2019 05:19 AM
Rainmaker
5,394,998
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

They are all prospects until reclassified suspects!

Jun 06, 2019 05:07 AM
Rainmaker
933,589
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Body language tells a lot about a person. It's truly a gut feeling. 

Jun 06, 2019 04:27 AM
Ambassador
3,396,809
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I learned a LONG time ago ... NEVER JUDGE a Book by its cover.  Once we open the book and it starts talking ... there might be some clues that the book may not be a good book or it is not what we expected.

Jun 06, 2019 07:45 AM
Rainmaker
469,515
Dan & Laurie Pittsenbarger Team
Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA
Lakeside & Coastal Single Family Homes

At an Open House - I don't even bother trying to spot a lookie lou - all are welcome. The extra people around definitely helps motivation someone that's actually thinking about it. Now, I do want to pay attention to who is a lookie lou and who isn't before I spend time going out and showing other homes. The test is simple - I give them something to do - like here's a lender's phone number, give them a call and at least get a pre-qual going. If they say they're already pre-qual'd great. If they say they don't want to or some other form of "I'm not going to" then you know.

Jun 06, 2019 07:20 AM
Ambassador
2,268,163
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Sometimes people who think they are "just looking" actually do buy if they find something they really like. 

Jun 06, 2019 07:13 AM
Rainmaker
2,820,680
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

It is the same dynamic at work when you are talking to someone and you know they are not listening....Your words come back to you

Jun 06, 2019 06:31 AM
Rainmaker
1,255,748
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

I can spot them after chatting for a couple minutes. I now leave them along unless they have specific questions and I know what level they are at.

 

Jun 06, 2019 05:56 AM
Rainmaker
1,399,763
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

I do not try to guess. I ask.

I already have the script that Bob Crane mentions in his response. I got it from a Keller Williams training by Chris Suarez.

Jun 06, 2019 11:12 AM
Rainmaker
1,527,524
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

90% of the people that come through are lookie-lous.  If they don't have a pre-approval in hand, they're not ready buyers.

Jun 06, 2019 07:49 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,799
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

The level of sophistication is greater than what it used to be and what gives them away is their unpreparedness. A brief period did exist some years ago where the intentions were readily obscured. No going back now!

Jun 06, 2019 07:30 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,758
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

it's difficult to tell.... some are obvious others are not, so it's best to assume everyone is a "potential buyer"

Jun 06, 2019 06:33 AM
Rainmaker
5,223,362
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

As I don't do open houses, I can't really say. But I can spot a looky loo lead or prospect pretty quickly in a phone conversation.

Jun 06, 2019 03:57 AM
Ambassador
2,682,717
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

What gives it away is their refusal to sign in. Why should an agent let in a stranger to a client's home just because they say "I'm just looking'? They could be criminals casing the joint.

Jun 06, 2019 11:17 AM
Rainmaker
2,224,575
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Interesting. 

Jun 06, 2019 05:00 PM
Ambassador
3,632,104
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Yes they don't really want to look me in the eye or they talk up a storm about nothing and don't answer questions....

Jun 06, 2019 01:51 PM
Rainmaker
5,773,919
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Paul,

And the BS continues into absurdity.  I am with Michael Jacobs .  A

Jun 06, 2019 01:07 PM
Rainmaker
1,235,402
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

To me, they are all Lookie Lou's until I get a Contract to Purchase (MA offer form)

Jun 06, 2019 12:56 PM
Rainmaker
2,469,623
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

If they have a name tag that says "LOOKIE LOU" I usually catch it Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS 

Jun 06, 2019 11:25 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,135
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

We call them "tourists" and one day they will be buyers...

Jun 07, 2019 05:03 AM
Rainmaker
1,598,552
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

I am with Michael Jacobs 

Jun 07, 2019 04:46 AM
Ambassador
5,408,632
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I can't tell when they walk in but, I ask a lot of questions that are NOT 'yes & no' questions - requiring THEM to do the talking. 

You can learn a lot by listening!

Jun 06, 2019 08:26 PM
Rainmaker
5,948,279
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Sometimes you can tell by the questions they ask, and how they ask.

Jun 20, 2019 10:42 AM
Rainmaker
5,111,036
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

If they walk across the street

Jun 08, 2019 05:38 PM
Rainer
401,559
Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

if they don't want to talk to a lender

Jun 07, 2019 08:49 AM
Rainmaker
1,743,127
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Unfortunately, I don't have that skill...or luck!

Jun 07, 2019 08:22 AM
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