An agent in my office described an unbelievable experience he had this weekend while doing open house at a multi-million dollar property.  Although he doesn’t have the listing, an agent from the company has welcomed him to hold open houses – it’s a win for everyone.  He might get a buyer from the event and the seller may sell.  Usually the traffic is heaviest beginning at 2:15 and lasts until about 3:00 p.m.

Sunday was no different. He opened at 1:30 and almost immediately had would-be buyers stopping in to tour the magnificent 9800 square foot home.  Suddenly six cars pulled up together and out of each clown car came at least four people.  The people were all dressed similarly – dark pants, blue and red shirts.

They were like a swarm of locusts as they picked up every flyer, including the mortgage sheets.  Suddenly they began lining up along the staircase and one of them separated to arrange them.  He took out a camera and snapped several family photos.  They then stood in front of the great fireplace, were arranged again, and had another family portrait taken.

Of course, by this time all the other buyer had made a rapid departure and no one else stopped when they saw the house swarming with people wearing the same clothes.  The extended family utterly ruined the open house for the agent in my office.

The question arose, “What could I have done?”

In a word – NOTHING.

Had he asked them to leave, he was treating them differently than other potential buyers therefore would be breaking fair housing laws.  If he said, “No pictures, please” he would have to make sure he said that to every single person who came in the door because – again – fair housing laws.  You can’t treat anyone differently.

It’s one of the darndest things I’ve ever heard about and it really sickens me that people take advantage of and so grossly abuse an open house.  The intention is to SELL the house, not be a setting for a family Christmas portrait.

What would you do?