Open house next door...

[SDFgirl]

The house next to ours is for sale. Right now, they're having an open house. Would it be wrong for me to go over there - just out of sheer curiousity? Or would I be a big pain in the butt to the realtor?

 

[lynxstch]

For people to see what they look like..for all the realtor knows..you might have a friend or relative in the market for a house nearby you..and you could be there getting information for them...get on over there and have a look see!

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

Why should you care if it's a pain in the butt for the realtor? If you want to see it, go and check it out! I would!

 

[LeCras]

Ooh I'd be there like a shot! I love looking around houses - in fact we have been known to drop into open houses whilst on holiday even though we have absolutely no intention of buying...

Charlotte

 

[marydmjj]

Realtors want neighbors to come to the open house. Some even walk the neighborhood and invite neighbors in. They want to make contact with you so that if you are thinking of possibly selling your home you will think of listing with them. I'm a realtor and that's what I do.

 

[disykat]

I go. I've gotten mostly postive feedback from realtors when I tell them I'm a neighbor just checking it out. I don't feel guilty at all. Our neighborhood is nice, but still reasonably affordable so I do have people ask me about homes for sale sometimes. It's nice to have the info for them.

I probably wouldn't go if the neighbors still lived there, but empty houses I consider fair game!

 

[Stacerita]

Its an open house. Thats whats its for. Go. We check out houses in my neighborhood all the time. Mostly out of curiosity.

 

[Micca]

I agree with the others, go have a look.

 

[wilderness01]

Ok I am in the minority, but why would you go? If you want to see the house, why not ask the neighbors that already live there. When we were building I really resented people having to come through for a look-see. I didn't care if they were in the market for a new house for ideas, but neighbors that were just being nosey really, really, really rubbed me wrong. Especially the ones that just closed on their house and had no intention of moving anytime soon. Like I said, I did have my builder ask if he could show my house to potential clients, and that I didn't mind and always said ok. I only went through an open house when in the market. Just my opinion. I just think it is wrong.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Go! They may be serving refreshments!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Once upon a time we were looking for a home but weren't planning on being "in the market" for one for another 18 months. Our bank had a referral service and referred us to a local realtor (small incentive for doing so should you buy a home). The realtor we got completely ignored us once we gave him our timeline. We complained to our bank. They assigned us a new realtor and within 2 weeks we placed an offer on a home and closed within 3-4 months. So much for the timeline.

Just like going and looking at a car--or window shopping. No harm, no foul and you may not be in the market, but you very well could find yourself in the market.

Go take a peek!

 

[SDFgirl]

Well, my husband and I did go over there. We talked for awhile with the realtor, she was very nice and encouraged us to look around. She was actually the realtor for the house we currently live in back when it was on the market!

She didn't seem to mind at all - in fact she talked our ears off! I think she was getting bored over there.

 

[SDFgirl]

Ok I am in the minority, but why would you go? If you want to see the house, why not ask the neighbors that already live there. When we were building I really resented people having to come through for a look-see. I didn't care if they were in the market for a new house for ideas, but neighbors that were just being nosey really, really, really rubbed me wrong. Especially the ones that just closed on their house and had no intention of moving anytime soon. Like I said, I did have my builder ask if he could show my house to potential clients, and that I didn't mind and always said ok. I only went through an open house when in the market. Just my opinion. I just think it is wrong.

I can certainly understand you being annoyed in your situation. But, there's nobody living in this house right now - it's been empty for months. The owner is in a nursing home and his children just decided to put it on the market.

 

[kimisabella]

Our house is on the market now, and even though we are moving out of this town, our realtor encourages us to go to all open houses in the neighborhood to see how those houses compare to ours regarding price, ammenities, ect... Most realtors around here encourage it because then they can get your name, and possibly build a future relationship with you regarding your real estate needs.

 

[grlpwrd]

Going into a home just for a look-see while being built and having people basically barge in and trespass is an entirely different matter than an open house. You actually have permission to come browse and view with an open house.

I would go. We have a house in our neighborhood for sale and I did.

 

[lilostitch]

It shoud be no biggie, since it is an open house. It isn't like you called a realtor and made an appt. because you are curious, they are already there. Have fun!