Open Houses: The Unspoken Rules and Hilarious Encounters

If you’ve ever been to an open house, you already know it’s more than just a walkthrough. It’s a curious blend of HGTV dreams, real estate reality, and sometimes—let’s be honest—free snacks. For the seasoned pro, open houses can be an art form. For everyone else, it’s a minefield of unspoken etiquette. Want to avoid being “that person”? Let’s dive into some dos and don’ts of open house attendance, sprinkled with a few stories you won’t believe actually happened.

The Neighborly Drop-In: “Just Browsing”
Meet Linda. Linda lives down the street and has no intention of moving. But she saw the sign and thought, “Well, why not?” Linda’s the kind of guest who spends more time chatting with the real estate agent than looking at the house.
Rule #1: If you’re not seriously considering a move, maybe sit this one out.
While it’s fine to be curious, remember that open houses are primarily for buyers. Agents and sellers appreciate genuine interest—not someone who just wants to see if their kitchen remodel really was the best on the block.

The Family Picnic—Indoors
Then there was the family who brought their toddler, their dog, and a bag of fast food. By the time they left, there were French fry trails and paw prints leading to every room.
Rule #2: Treat the home like it’s someone’s sanctuary.
An open house isn’t a carnival. Leave the pets at home, bring the kids if you must (and if they’re old enough to behave), and for goodness’ sake, eat before you arrive. The seller’s coffee table isn’t your personal dining area.

The Overly Thorough "Inspector"
“Oh, don’t mind me, I’m just testing the water pressure!” One gentleman (who was not a home inspector) once decided to try out every faucet, every light switch, and—this is not a joke—every door lock.
Rule #3: Know where to draw the line.
While you should examine a home carefully if you’re genuinely interested, poking around like you’re auditioning for a home inspection show might make everyone uncomfortable. Also, the seller probably wants to keep their water bill reasonable.

The “What’s in the Closet” Game
There’s always someone who can’t resist peeking in the medicine cabinet or rifling through closets like it’s a treasure hunt.
Rule #4: Keep your snooping to a minimum.
Closets are fair game to open if they’re part of the house, but if it looks like someone’s private stash of Christmas decorations or personal belongings, maybe don’t dive in.

The Group Tour Gone Wild
Imagine a group of friends arriving together, treating the home like a set for their personal sitcom. There’s laughter echoing from the bedroom as one person pretends to take a nap on the bed. Another shouts from the kitchen, “Is this an induction stove or just a really clean coil?”
Rule #5: Remember, this is a professional environment.
While it’s great to have fun, respect the fact that this is a home someone is selling. Keep your comments lighthearted, but save the antics for after you leave.

The Great Buffet Misunderstanding
One infamous story involves a visitor who brought Tupperware to an open house that happened to have some refreshments laid out. Let’s just say, the cheese platter never stood a chance.
Rule #6: If food is provided, it’s not a takeaway buffet.
Some agents put out snacks as a courtesy, not as an invitation to meal prep for the week. Be polite—take a small bite, not the whole tray.

The “I’ve Seen It All” Poll
After hearing these tales, we’ve got to know: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen at an open house? Reach out to share your story. Maybe we’ll feature it in our next post on real estate quirks.

A Quick Word for Sellers
If you’re a seller, take these stories as a gentle reminder: Expect the unexpected. Declutter, lock away anything personal, and if you have a cheese platter, maybe consider something a little less portable. A home filled with pleasant surprises—not laughable ones—helps everyone feel comfortable and focused on what really matters: buying or selling a fantastic property.

Final Thoughts
Open houses are a key part of the real estate process, and a little respect and common sense can go a long way. Whether you’re shopping for your dream home or just enjoy a bit of market browsing, following these unspoken rules will help you (and the seller) have a more positive experience. Plus, the next time you walk into an open house, you can chuckle quietly to yourself about the time someone walked off with a cheese platter.

Would you like to explore more real estate tips or share your own open house tales? Let’s keep the conversation going—minus the Tupperware.