06/13/2026
When you walk into an open house, remember this:
The agent hosting the open house is usually there for the seller. They may be friendly. They may answer questions. They may offer to help. But unless you have a clear written agreement with them, you should not assume they are representing your best interests.
If you already have an agent, tell the open house agent immediately. “Hi, I’m already working with an agent. I’m just here to take a look, and I’ll have my agent follow up if I’m interested.”
Sign in using your name but write your agent’s name if there is a spot for it. Do not ask the listing agent to write an offer for you. Do not discuss your budget, motivation, timeline, or how badly you want the home. Take notes and pictures if allowed. Ask general questions about the home. Send questions to your own agent after the showing. Let your agent handle follow-up, negotiations, and offer terms.
Your agent is the one protecting you, checking value, reviewing disclosures, asking the harder questions, and helping you avoid expensive mistakes.
If you do not have an agent, be careful. The open house agent may offer to help you. That does not automatically mean they are representing you the same way your own buyer’s agent would. “I’m not currently represented. Before I discuss anything specific or consider making an offer, I want to understand who you represent and what my options are for buyer representation.”
“If I want to make an offer, who would be looking out for my interests?” That one question matters.
Before writing an offer, you should have someone on your side who can help you understand price, inspections, financing terms, appraisal issues, repair requests, deadlines, and negotiation strategy. NAR’s consumer guidance says written buyer agreements are designed to clarify services, compensation, and the relationship before touring or working together.
Bottom line an open house is a great way to preview a home. But it is not the place to accidentally give away your negotiating power or assume the agent in the kitchen is automatically working for you.
