Debbie,

A well trained newbie is an asset, and untrained one is a liability.  A

The only draw back is if the agent doesn't live up to what your client believes you are.  A neighbor comes and looks, sees the agent doing something or saying something not right and tells your seller.  You then get the call and ou get the picture.  I have let new agents do opens, but they get a talk before as to what is expected.

Debbie Reynolds ... I'm not telling you anything you don't already know, but I can't count the number of times I've accompanied a Buyer to an open house in which they were initially interested, but then be completely turned off by the actions of the agent conducting the open house.

Hi Debbie -- I prefer to hold my own Open House events.  It's my job and obligation to the seller to best market the property and not to sound boastful -- I do a great job.   I'm not so sure if an agent who is not the listing agent is going to feel the exact same way.  

Listings are at such a premium in my market -- I know this is not the case in every area so I do understand your question.   If you do select another agent to hold it open -- proper open house hosting protocol and knowledge of the property are most important.

If I would do Open House I would prefer to be there myself.

Giving newbies a chance to do open houses is wonderful!  Just make sure they know what they're doing!

Not at all. I know agents who love doing open houses if there's nothing else on their plate. Just make sure they know what they're doing.

As long as you train the agents in how you want your open house conducted, I don't see drawbacks as long as each seller is okay that you are not there personally.

Then, I'd advertise the heck out of those open houses to get prospective buyers to tour all of your listings.

As long as your clients are okay with this.

Always a good idea to encourage new agents in your office/brokerage.

If the agent is trained and you have shown them or they have watched you do it, give it a try. It could work out for both of you.

Like others who have commented I am cautious about what agent holds the open house. And I give them the talking points so they are well prepared.

If they aren't capable of handling an open house then they shouldn't be working for you.

It's a good way for them to learn a one-on-one conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.  No drawbacks here.

I always clear it with sellers, but it can be good on the job training.

It depends on what you see to be the role you play in this opportunity.

If you see yourself as a molder of minds, a teacher, a guide, a stimulus for vision, a mentor to whom those who can be taught turn towards, this is your moment!

Or you can be the one who creates the opportunity for newbies to start bad habits of which others must eventually break them.

This is your moment to teach that an open house is neither a goal or a objective, but a tool to be applied to the right problem at the right time.

This is your moment to teach the purpose(s) to which a open house should and could be directed. Those proposes are:

1. Get listings
2. Get buyers
3. Create lists
4. Sell THAT house

Attempting to do all four will result in doing none.

Each of these four purposes are accomplished through different strategies and the creation of highly specific 'self select' mechanisms directed to the visitor.

What is the draw back? You can perpetuate bad open house practices in newbies.

What's the glory? Knowing you enabled teachable agents how to create the greatest benefit from their investment of time, resources and intellect.

I think this could be a win win situation for your sellers and you, Debbie. Provided the new agents are coached as to how to handle the open houses.

Good training for new agents and good coverage for your seller clients.

I used to have other Associates help us out with Open Houses we couldn't attend, until a seller told me she didn't like the other agent.