The Unfiltered REALTOR® | By Charlotte Ferguson
I love an open house.
It's an opportunity to showcase a property, answer questions and help potential buyers picture their next chapter.
But can we discuss something?
An open house is still someone's home.
Not a museum where you can touch everything. Not a free-for-all. And definitely not an invitation to inspect someone's personal belongings.
Let's talk open-house etiquette.
1. Yes, You May Look. No, You May Not Investigate Everything.
Opening a kitchen cabinet to assess storage? Generally reasonable, with permission.
Going through someone's dresser drawers? Absolutely not.
Buyers have a legitimate interest in understanding the property's layout, storage and condition.
But that doesn't eliminate the homeowner's right to privacy.
When in doubt, ask the hosting REALTOR®.
2. Children Are Welcome. Unsupervised Adventures Are Not.
Families attend open houses, and that's perfectly understandable.
But children should remain with their accompanying adults.
There may be stairs, fragile items, unfamiliar layouts or hazards that aren't immediately obvious.
And while we're discussing safety, pets should never be approached or handled without permission.
3. Please Respect the Property
Follow instructions about footwear, avoid bringing food or drinks through the home, and don't operate unfamiliar equipment.
If you accidentally damage something, tell the hosting REALTOR®.
A small accident is usually much easier to address than a mystery discovered after everyone leaves.
4. Privacy Works Both Ways
Buyers should feel comfortable asking questions, but it's also reasonable for the hosting REALTOR® to ask visitors to identify themselves or follow the brokerage's safety procedures.
For sellers, preparation matters too.
Before an open house, secure medications, valuables, financial documents, personal identification and anything containing sensitive information.
Remove or safeguard items that could present a risk to visitors.
5. REALTOR® Safety Is Everyone's Business
Real estate professionals regularly meet unfamiliar people, sometimes in vacant properties.
That's part of the profession, but it also creates genuine safety considerations.
Identification procedures, appointment records, communication plans and professional boundaries aren't signs of distrust.
They're sensible precautions.
And respecting those precautions makes the experience safer for everyone.
The Unfiltered Truth
An open house should be welcoming, informative and enjoyable.
A little courtesy goes a long way.
Admire the kitchen. Explore the layout. Ask questions. But please leave the homeowner's sock drawer out of your research.
Charlotte Ferguson | REALTOR®
Magnolia Group Realty | Royal LePage Wolle Realty
Have questions about attending an open house or preparing your property for one? I'd be happy to help.
📞 519-575-1804
🌐 www.yourmagnoliagroup.com
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