Are Nosey Neighbors a Red Flag During Open Houses? - Two Experiences Today

[Anonymous]

You'd be surprised at the number of people who buy another house in the same neighborhood. Maybe they want to upgrade, downsize, or pick up in an investment property or buy for a relative near their current home.

The number is not insignificant. We know of this happening multiple times in our small NW DC neighborhood. We know of one family with a bunch of kids who recently downgraded to a cheaper home and are currently selling their enormous developer spec flip.

Existing neighbors are a significant source of revenue on both sides of a deal for RE agents. I bet they are more likely to close, too.

[Anonymous]

Look at all the moseys excusing their behavior! At a minimum don’t go through your neighbor’s closets and drawers. You see them every day. It’s weird and creepy and makes potential buyers think the neighbors are intrusive.

[Anonymous]

I guess I'm a nosy neighbor. I like to see the upgrades in houses similar to mine for inspiration. I always tell the realtor that I'm just a neighbor so they know they don't need to spend time with me and can focus on buyers. If you don't want neighbors coming in, then only schedule private showings. And if you're moving away, why do you really care?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess I'm a nosy neighbor. I like to see the upgrades in houses similar to mine for inspiration. I always tell the realtor that I'm just a neighbor so they know they don't need to spend time with me and can focus on buyers. If you don't want neighbors coming in, then only schedule private showings. And if you're moving away, why do you really care?

This is OP - as someone looking in a neighborhood, it’s off putting that neighbors are this nosey and intrusive. Putting myself in the seller’s position, if I had never invited you over to my home, the last thing I would want is you in my house and intimate personal spaces, opening my closets and cupboards, especially knowing you have no intention to purchase anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess I'm a nosy neighbor. I like to see the upgrades in houses similar to mine for inspiration. I always tell the realtor that I'm just a neighbor so they know they don't need to spend time with me and can focus on buyers. If you don't want neighbors coming in, then only schedule private showings. And if you're moving away, why do you really care?

This is OP - as someone looking in a neighborhood, it’s off putting that neighbors are this nosey and intrusive. Putting myself in the seller’s position, if I had never invited you over to my home, the last thing I would want is you in my house and intimate personal spaces, opening my closets and cupboards, especially knowing you have no intention to purchase anything.

I’m curious what neighborhoods don’t have looky-loos coming to the open houses. Seems pretty common to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We always go to open houses in the neighborhood but we tell the agent upfront that we’re neighbors and just looky-loos. Then we make ourselves scarce. Many houses are similar to ours and I’ve gotten some good design ideas.

This is us too. I am always trying to see what they did in a certain closet or what bathroom remodel choices work and don't work. We don't take up the agents time and just quietly move through checking it out.

How is opening a closet violating someone's privacy? They are selling that closet, so it will be inspected. Clean it out if you don't want people to look inside during the open house!

Agents invite neighbors because in general the more eyes on a house, the better. People talk and that is good for business.

[Anonymous]

red flag

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We get so many cards inviting us to open houses in our neighborhood. I have never gone because I am not in the market but the realtors bring this on themselves by inviting neighbors. I am sure they are hoping neighbors will spread the word about the house for sale.

No, it's not about spreading the word and helping sell that house per se.
It is making the connection with those homeowners in the neighborhood, so as to get their contact info and a foot in the door if those neighbors decide to list their house at some point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It happens 100% of the time. So don't let that put you off, otherwise you're never going to buy anything.

+1

Totally normal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess I'm a nosy neighbor. I like to see the upgrades in houses similar to mine for inspiration. I always tell the realtor that I'm just a neighbor so they know they don't need to spend time with me and can focus on buyers. If you don't want neighbors coming in, then only schedule private showings. And if you're moving away, why do you really care?

This is OP - as someone looking in a neighborhood, it’s off putting that neighbors are this nosey and intrusive. Putting myself in the seller’s position, if I had never invited you over to my home, the last thing I would want is you in my house and intimate personal spaces, opening my closets and cupboards, especially knowing you have no intention to purchase anything.

OP you sound overly rigid, which could make you a red flag as a neighbor. People love looking at houses. We've given our neighbors tours when we had a mixer and have neighbors invite us over to see renovated yards or living rooms.

If we have an open house, I will empty all the drawers. I don't look in drawers, so I have no idea if people do, but it's not that difficult to understand why you should.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stop wasting time on open houses. Get yourself an agent and make an appointment for a showing and not deal with the looky loos otherwise you're not a serious buyer either.

+1 million

If you’re a serious buyer, get an appt

[Anonymous]

I love browsing open houses for design inspiration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We always go to open houses in the neighborhood but we tell the agent upfront that we’re neighbors and just looky-loos. Then we make ourselves scarce. Many houses are similar to ours and I’ve gotten some good design ideas.

This is us too. I am always trying to see what they did in a certain closet or what bathroom remodel choices work and don't work. We don't take up the agents time and just quietly move through checking it out.

How is opening a closet violating someone's privacy? They are selling that closet, so it will be inspected. Clean it out if you don't want people to look inside during the open house!

Agents invite neighbors because in general the more eyes on a house, the better. People talk and that is good for business.

Check the medicine cabinets too. It's always good to see how someone else is organizing their medications.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We always go to open houses in the neighborhood but we tell the agent upfront that we’re neighbors and just looky-loos. Then we make ourselves scarce. Many houses are similar to ours and I’ve gotten some good design ideas.

This is us too. I am always trying to see what they did in a certain closet or what bathroom remodel choices work and don't work. We don't take up the agents time and just quietly move through checking it out.

How is opening a closet violating someone's privacy? They are selling that closet, so it will be inspected. Clean it out if you don't want people to look inside during the open house!

Agents invite neighbors because in general the more eyes on a house, the better. People talk and that is good for business.

Check the medicine cabinets too. It's always good to see how someone else is organizing their medications.

I know this is snark - but honestly medication and other sensitive items need to be removed before you allow the public into your home. Even better if you move all your sh*t out beforehand. Who cares if they are neighbors or not - it’s called an OPEN house and you have zero control over who stops by. OP you sound rigid and out of touch with how open houses work..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We always go to open houses in the neighborhood but we tell the agent upfront that we’re neighbors and just looky-loos. Then we make ourselves scarce. Many houses are similar to ours and I’ve gotten some good design ideas.

This is us too. I am always trying to see what they did in a certain closet or what bathroom remodel choices work and don't work. We don't take up the agents time and just quietly move through checking it out.

How is opening a closet violating someone's privacy? They are selling that closet, so it will be inspected. Clean it out if you don't want people to look inside during the open house!

Agents invite neighbors because in general the more eyes on a house, the better. People talk and that is good for business.

Check the medicine cabinets too. It's always good to see how someone else is organizing their medications.

I know this is snark - but honestly medication and other sensitive items need to be removed before you allow the public into your home. Even better if you move all your sh*t out beforehand. Who cares if they are neighbors or not - it’s called an OPEN house and you have zero control over who stops by. OP you sound rigid and out of touch with how open houses work..

We are selling our house but can’t move or buy until we sell (school and HCOL area so need the money from sale to make our offer worthwhile- think new area is way over ask, no contingencies and many all cash offers). So we removed sensitive things but we still live in the house. Nothing we can do about it. We didn’t do an open house for this reason- many people on here don’t understand that so many people can’t just move out and stage the house!

We had someone do something on camera and a gift card I had in a drawer that I was going to use that week went missing. Someone moved a big piece of our furniture. We only had agent showings and I told my realtor and made notes. She said everyone had pre-approval/ proof of funds for our price range and all came with an accredited realtor. It’s crimes of opportunity.

For the record we removed a lot of our stuff and staged with what we have so it’s not like these homes that are cluttered.

If you’re a serious buyer with an agent by all means open my closets and drawers. We had someone ask where we put X because we packed it away from the kitchen for more space. So they clearly looked through everything. But if you’re a neighbor not serious about buying do a quick walk through and then leave. Get your ideas and move along.

This is the main reason we didn’t do an open house. We knew many of our neighbors would come in- many have been inside our house but I knew two who would look through everything and make comments based on experiences with them previously and I reuse to do it

Homes in desirable areas and prices correctly will go just with showings.