Seller insisting on agents accompanying buyers to open house?

I notice an open house on MLSLI that says "Per Seller If You Are Working With An Agent You Must Be Accompanied By That Agent."

Out of curiousity, why would a seller do that? Are they nervous that someone would steal from them? Or do they want to eliminate nosy browsers?

I mean, so many people go to open houses without their agents. And unless you check MLS all the time, you may not know there is an open house until you drive by the street and see a sign.

I just picture the listing agent saying "No agent, no showing" and slamming the door in people's faces.

Re: Seller insisting on agents accompanying buyers to open house?

HMM that is interesting.

Funny you should post this but we had a buyer come to our OH this weekend told our listing agent they were extremely interested in the house etc etc etc but now we find out that they had an agent with a different company and its just holding up time with getting a deal going or a reshow etc.

Could that be why??? Like if these people had come with their broker maybe we wouldnt have this lag in time??? Im not sure???

Id be curious what the realtors tell you on this.

Message edited 5/1/2012 5:17:18 PM.

Re: Seller insisting on agents accompanying buyers to open house?

I am sure it's the listing agent that wants this... They are talking about buyers who are already working with an agent. A lot of times, buyers who have an agent already will come to an open house and not say it, but then later want their agent to make an offer on the house for them and be part of the sale. Meanwhile, the listing agent (or whoever was working the open house) thinks that buyer is "their buyer" -- meaning they should get a commission as the selling agent, not give it to some agent who didn't show the house and who wasn't mentioned by the buyer at all.

I see these remarks on listings more and more frequently - certain companies/agents try to discourage other agents from just sending their buyers to the open house and then getting the reward of the commission without doing the work of showing the house.

In reality, a buyer can have whatever agent he or she wants present their offer and be part of the sale. It's the buyer's right to choose who they work with. But it's always a good idea, fi you are working with an agent, to say so upfront when you go to an open house. It also helps to have your agent's card to provide (I always give my buyers extra cards for this reason). If I know my buyers are planning to go to an open house and I can't be there with them, I always try to call the listing agent and let them know my buyer will be coming unaccompanied (as a courtesy).

Bottom line - as a buyer, you can go to whatever open house you want. The remarks are really all about agents/commission issues.

Re: Seller insisting on agents accompanying buyers to open house?

Re: Seller insisting on agents accompanying buyers to open house?

Put well into perspective by christina.

Wen we looked for a house last year, we signed in and ALWAYS out we had an agent.

I think a listing agent is pretty naive to think that the buyer wont choose who THEY want representing THEM.

Go to an open house if you want. DONT bring your agent. Just let the buyers know (when you sign in) you have an agent.

And yes! We found the house, we did all the groundwork for the particular house we bought. Once we told our agent they handled the rest. Including the private showing, offer, negotiations and all in between.