When you hit an open house, it’s natural to have opinions about the property. And because the owners may not be present, you might be tempted to take the “open” part to heart and share your real thoughts and feelings about what you like — and don’t like — about the house.
But just because the owners aren’t physically there, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not listening! In today’s digital age, there’s always a possibility that there is a camera or listening device nearby, and if you don’t want to ruin your chances of getting the home, it’s important to be careful what you say.
So, the question is, how do you navigate an open house, knowing that there might be a camera and/or listening device in the space?
A recent article from realtor.com explored open house best practices for the era of the spy cam, including:
- Play it cool. If you find a home you love, you might be tempted to gush, but don’t. Once the owner knows how excited you are about the home, you could lose some of your negotiating power, making it harder to buy the home at a good price and/or negotiate for repairs or concessions.
- Don’t say anything negative. On the flip side, you might be tempted to comment on something you hate. But that can also backfire; if your comments are related to something that the owner did to the home — for example, their choice of flooring or tiling — they could feel insulted, and be less likely to accept your offer as a result.
- Remember: less is more. Bottom line, if you’re at an open house and there’s even a chance that there’s a camera or listening device watching and/or listening, repeat this mantra: “less is more.” Wait to have any important conversations until you’re out of the home and away from the property. That way, you won’t say anything that could potentially jeopardize your home purchase.