I find most actually introduce themselves.   

Some will tell you and some are easy to spot! A few may fool you!

A few months ago I had one couple that kept commenting about the decor, how great this or that would look in their rooms. They were obviously there for interior decorating ideas.

First they wont sign in, next by asking a few key questions they dont answer or go to the other extreme with too much info on everything but what you asked

Ha Considering the timing of this post (Christmas) and the increased shopping everyone is doing, how many times a day do you think a Retail Worker gets told "I'm Just Looking!" ??  I have never held an Open House but I'd expect the results to be the same.

I don't hold open houses for years now, but even when I did, I considered them all lookie lu's.

Easy, just about everyone that comes in the door.

I can spot them in the driveway!

You never know who will send the next referral. All are welcome at an open house.

Paul,

When we first moved here, we were considering a house we saw.  As we were walking out after deciding this home was not for us, the agent walked up to us and said, "Are you a Lookie Lu?"  We did not answer and just walked out.  I think everyone deserves respect, because they may be the very one that tells someone abou the house and ends up in a sale for you.  A

Coming from the auto industry they are the ones that kick the furniture and moldings!

The ones that don't make "eye-contact"...

 I cannot speak for others, Paul. I just introduce myself but I'm just looking. I don't want to waste their time.

Those that show up without a vehicle usually means just a curious neighbor. There are others that go to open houses as if they are going to yard sales, and usually say something like " we just wanted to take a quick look". I've even had some neighbors say " We wanted to see how they finished their basement, becuse we want to do ours soon".

Intuition.

Paul S. Henderson, Realtor, Broker, Tacoma Washington sometimes these lookie lu becomes serious!

And it's an open house - so if they are willing to share their information, get it and stay in touch with them.

Many buyers start the search of the home this way.

The one that comes to an "open house" and says "I could have bought this home for a whole bunch less 10 years ago." No interest in buying, just curious what they've done with the house.

Some claim to be just looking even when they are really interested.

Paul - Many of them will tell you so you don't try and "sell them" on the house.

    Talk with them.  Their attitude and their answers will give them away every time.

They won't give you a straight answer, including name or email.

The answers or lack of answers to qualifying questions give them away.

A lot of them will tell you outright, but I have also found that they just say that to not be bothered and can be turned into clients. I treat everyone with professionalism regardless.

They don't give you answers to your questions.

That's easy - they always tell you they're a nosy neighbor or lookie loo.

Paul,
A “lookie lu” today could be a buyer tomorrow. Or might know a buyer or seller. Unless I am busy with other prospects I will try to build a bond with them.

I've had some "regulars"; easy to spot.

When they pull up 10 minutes before the Open is scheduled to be over !!!

Some you can tell right off the bat. Others, through conversation and still others you don't know.  It is all part of holding an open house.

By the questions or non-questions I get

They are all Lookie Lu's until they prove themselves to be something else.

Like Michael, most introduce themselves the instant I start going up to them to say hi and have them register.

sometime we misjudge....

Ask questions, you get answers or body language telling you.

When they refuse to make eye-contact for starters.

I assume they all are.  If they were super serious, they'd schedule a private showing.  

That said, some of our closest friends were lookie lus at an open house held by somebody else.  They just wandered in out of curiosity and fell in love with the home.  They knew to let the agent know they were working with us, and we closed that deal last month.  I actually had another client do the exact same thing a few years ago with the same result.  

I've never sold a home I was holding an open house on, and we rarely do them anymore.  

Sorry for the long answer!  

Have not had many this year, and most buyers were truly buyers. 

After a few open houses they're easy to spot. 

I don't - because I don't do Open Houses!! 

Usually the nosy neighbor is the first one through the door and freely shares the neighborhood gossip

Some of them come with another person and then compare fetaures inthis house with theirs. You know they are the neighbors.

I ask them how long they have been looking to buy a home. Their answer usually lets me know.  

Lookie Loo is everywhere. Nosy neighbors, stalker, free food snatcher.

That is why some home owners does not invite strangers. Show by appointment only.