When you host an open house for another real estate agent or Realtor®, you learn and find potential buyers. It also helps experienced agents save time. You need to talk, act, and know what each person should do to do well. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about holding an open house for another agent.
Understanding the roles between agents
Listing Agent vs. Showing Agent
The listing agent is the real estate professional who has obtained the property’s contract and maintains the primary relationship with the seller. They handle the overall marketing plan and pricing and manage the sale process.
On the other hand, when running an open house, the showing agent acts as a rep who helps display the property to potential buyers during open house times. While both jobs matter, the showing agent mainly aims to provide great customer service during the open house event and gather visitor information. The listing agent, however, looks after the bigger sales plan and client bond.
Communicating the split of responsibility
The outcome of an open house partnership hinges on clearly outlining and conveying how duties will be split between the listing and showing agents. This talk should take place well ahead of the open house date to give enough prep time for both sides. The chat should address the obvious points, like who’ll bring supplies and handle setup, and touchy subjects like lead distribution and sharing costs. A written deal or email confirmation spelling out these duties can stop mix-ups and make sure both agents are on the same page about what to expect.
Trusting each other
Trust plays a key role when you learn to hold an open house for another real estate agent. The listing agent needs to feel sure you can represent their listing and their clients in a professional and ethical way. This means being upfront with potential buyers about any problems or worries with the property and giving correct details about it. The showing agent must keep this trust by following all agreed-upon rules and handling sensitive property information carefully.
Lead distribution
Setting up how agents will share leads is one of the most important things to decide immediately. Potential buyers without agents who come to the open house become leads for the agent showing the house. Buyers who already have agents get sent back to the agent listing the house. However, agents should discuss and agree on this setup before the open house.
The challenge of communication
Many agents try to get people to an open house. However, the biggest challenge is how the listing and showing agents talk to each other. To prepare for a successful open house for another real estate agent, it’s key to set up clear communication channels. How agents talk before, during, and after the open house can mean the difference between a good showing and a bad one.
Bad communication can create confusion about how to share leads, what marketing materials to use, how to access the property, and other vital details that could affect the success of the open house.
Pre-open house preparation
Good prep starts with a phone call or face-to-face chat in which both agents discuss what they expect and what they’ll do. After this talk, they should send an email that spells out everything they agreed on, which they can look back at later. At least a day before the event, the agent selling the house should give out all the information needed to get in, like door codes and lockbox numbers. The agent showing the house then confirms that they got the marketing materials and information about the property.
Communication ground rules
Real estate professionals should use different communication tools to share information. Texts work best for urgent updates and quick confirmations, while emails provide a paper trail for detailed information and formal documents. Phone calls are still important for complex talks or situations that need immediate attention. Many agents also do well using team tools like shared calendars or on-demand showing service apps, like Showami, that both sides can access, creating a smooth system for managing open house details.
Successful communication depends on the platforms used and on maintaining consistency and professionalism in all interactions. Even when you’ve shared information by talking, writing down important details is crucial. This prevents mix-ups and gives both agents a clear reference. This thorough approach to communication helps ensure that both agents can do their jobs well while keeping the open house professional and organized.
Required marketing materials and resources
Good marketing materials are crucial for agents learning to host an open house for another realtor. Quality marketing materials significantly impact showcasing a home’s best features and answering buyer questions during an open house. This becomes even more important for unique properties, like historic homes, high-end estates, or homes in particular areas where buyers often have specific concerns or need detailed info about special features, zoning rules, or community perks.
The agent showing the home needs complete materials to discuss these special aspects, as they might not know all the details about the property or neighborhood as the listing agent does.
The listing agent provides:
- Property info sheets
- Lists of features
- Info about the neighborhood
- Business cards
- Professional photos
- Property brochures
The agent showing the house should check what materials are available and ask for them before the open house happens.
Signage
Open house sign duties need a clear definition. The agent listing the property provides the signs, but the agent showing them puts them up and takes them down. Things to think about:
- How many signs are needed
- Where to put the signs
- When to set up and take down
- Any local rules about where signs can go
Property knowledge
Knowing the property well becomes even more important when you’re hosting an open house for another real estate agent. Because you’re showing someone else’s listing, learning about the property and area shows you’re serious about professionally hosting an open house for another agent.
A showing agent needs to know the property’s main features inside out. This includes recent upgrades, the age of the big systems (like HVAC, roof, and water heater), and any unique design elements or smart home tech. Knowing the property’s backstory, such as recent fixes or improvements, helps give solid and clear answers to buyer questions. It’s also key to be aware of any possible issues or worries, like past repairs or upcoming fees, to be upfront with potential buyers.
Neighborhood Knowledge
Buyers often ask about the area around the property. The showing agent should be ready to talk about these things:
- School ratings and districts in the area
- Usual travel times to big job hubs
- Shops, restaurants, and fun spots close by
- Community perks and places to play
- What similar houses in the area sold for
- Who lives in the neighborhood and how it’s changing
- Plans for new stuff in the area that could change house prices
Market Smarts
Knowing what’s happening in the housing market now helps the agent showing the house give buyers helpful info. This covers:
- How long houses like this one take to sell
- How prices in the neighborhood have been moving
- What interest rates are now and how they affect what people can buy
- Whether it’s easier for buyers or sellers in the local market right now
- Typical costs for property taxes and utilities in the area
By being ready with this in-depth knowledge, the showing agent can offer valuable insights to potential buyers, gaining trust during the open house. This kind of preparation also makes the listing agent look good and shows professionalism in representing their listing.
During the open house
Professional presentation
When hosting an open house for another real estate agent, your presentation should meet the highest standards of professionalism. Remember that you are representing both yourself and the agent’s brand.
You should look neat and polished, representing yourself, the listing agent, and their brand well. Wear business clothes that fit your market’s expectations and show confidence and skill. Get there 30 minutes before the scheduled start time to ensure everything is set up.
First impressions make a big difference, so put effort into making the place feel welcoming as soon as potential buyers show up. This means being friendly, engaging, professional, and following industry rules. Remember that how you act during the open house says a lot about the listing agent, so stay professional in all your interactions, whether you’re saying hello to visitors or handling tough questions or situations.
People often forget about how important it is to know your stuff and how you share that information. Talk confidently about the property and area, but don’t guess or make up answers if you’re not sure. Instead, show you’re professional by offering to find the right information and get back to interested people. This builds trust and shows you’re both capable and honest.
Property Preparation
- Switch on all lights
- Pull back blinds and curtains
- Set the temperature to make people feel comfortable
- Create a welcoming space at the entrance
- Put drinks and snacks where people can easily reach them
Agents should keep messages short but helpful during the event. After entering the property, the showing agent needs to text the listing agent. They should also send another quick message when the open house starts. If a buyer shows serious interest or something unexpected happens, the showing agent must immediately let the listing agent know. The listing agent should stay available to answer questions about the property or specific buyers throughout the event.
Refreshments
It’s crucial to have a clear understanding about who will provide and pay for refreshments. This often changes depending on the market and specific arrangement, but common practices include:
- The listing agent pays for refreshments
- The showing agent brings basic refreshments as part of their job
- Agents share the cost
After the open house
Reaching out after the event plays a key role in keeping professional connections strong and making sure you follow up with possible buyers. Within a day, the agent who ran the showing should email a thorough recap of the open house. This should cover details about visitors, what they thought, and any specific next steps needed. If big things happened or some buyers seemed interested, it might make sense to give a quick call to talk about these chances in depth.
Follow-up
The process of following up plays a key role in making an open house for another real estate agent successful. Your attention to detail in this area can open doors to opportunities to host open houses for other agents. The agent who hosts should give in-depth feedback on attendance, what visitors said, and any real interest shown during the open house. This data helps the agent with the listing tweak their marketing plan and keeps them in the loop about how the market sees the property. Also, all leads should go out as agreed beforehand, with contact details and notes about specific interests or worries shared soon after the event.
Frequently asked questions about hosting and open house for another agent
This varies depending on your state’s rules and brokerage policies. Check with your broker first to ensure that the right agreements exist between brokerages. but, in most cases “yes”.
The listing agent is responsible for the property, but the showing agent should have good insurance coverage and take sensible steps to prevent damage.
Basic security steps include: Asking visitors to sign in, keeping valuable items safe, watching all parts of the home, working with someone else, and keeping emergency contacts close at hand
Educate visitors about the security cameras on the property. Put up signs at the entrance.
Give the listing agent: How many people came, what visitors said, any worries people brought up, info on buyers who showed interest, and ideas to make future open houses better
Have more than one way to reach the listing agent and backup plans to get in set up before the open house date. Show up with enough time to solve any problems getting in without making the start time late.
If there are no marketing materials, agents who are showing the house should: Ask the listing agent for materials at least 48 hours before the event, suggest making simple property info sheets if needed, keep generic sign-in sheets or digital sign-up tools on hand, and pack business cards and basic snacks
To wrap up
Knowing how to run an open house for another realtor can open doors for both sides. Showing agents who follow these tips and keep things professional can do a great job hosting open houses for other agents while making good contacts in the field. Success hinges on setting clear expectations, staying professional, and ensuring everyone knows their job. This way, showing agents can give potential buyers a good experience while building strong ties with listing agents, which can lead to more work and referrals down the road. Showami has showing agents ready and waiting to help you.
Remember that each market and brokerage might have different rules and expectations. Always check the exact requirements with your broker and the listing agent before you host an open house. If you prepare well and communicate, hosting open houses for other agents can be a great way to gain experience, get new leads, and help out busy listing agents.