Just because they came to the open house doesn't mean it is a home they want to buy. After the features have been presented and the customer seems uninterested or asks about other homes I think their is no problem presenting other options.

Offer to set up an appointment to talk about other options. And I will tell them the open house is for me to showcase my client's house, just as my time with a buyer is their time.  

It depends on where I am holding my Open House.  In Maryland, you may not have this conversation during the open, but you may offer to call the prospect back when you are finished.  In DC and Virginia, it is at least legal to have a conversation about other homes that are for sale.  And when they see what else is actually out there, the listing I am holding open may look a whole lot better.  If, on the other hand you are overpriced and the place smells like my Labradoodle, I may sell them one of the competition. 

And in this area, I'm guessing the majority of homes sell to someone who comes through the Open House.  They are an important marketing tool.

Maryland Real Estate Commission has answered this for us - we are not allowed to answer that question at the open house. We are there representing the seller - end of discussion! 

And this is why I have never held a home open.  I can't imagine looking the Seller in the eye and saying it is being held for their best interest.  It is like moving your office into the Seller's living room and conducting new business there.  YIKES

I would say that there is no balance needed. You show this unrepresented customer the home, and if they are not interested in it, then you get their contact info and let them know you will be more than happy to talk or meet with them after the open house to discuss other options for them.

If the person at the open isn't interested in that home then there is no issue in my mind.  You can't force them to buy just this home.  As long as you have presented the open in it's best light no issue

The agent simply needs to follow the state regulations and the policy of their broker. 

This is very good question.

Our clients understand that the open is not just to sell their home.

In California you are allowed to have the discussion.  I keep a sheet of comps for the area with me for when a prospective buyer questions the price because "some online place" had a different one listed.  If someone wants to see a property, I'll either set an appointment or if there are multiple agents working the open house, one of us will show the house.

Since one of the reasons for doing an Open House is to attract prospective buyers, I usually have a list of other similar homes on hand. Clearly, the OH is for the seller and we are required to post a sign specifying we are working for the seller, but that particular home is not for everyone.

 Good Wednesday morning. That is an interesting question and I do have to agree with some of the other answers. They just might be fishing.

It depends what is in that house, since you a vacant empty house does not require the  same attention as a house full of antiques. 

I try not to hold open houses because this comes up. I allow open houses from other agents if the sellers are ok with that. I tell them that the agents are looking for buyers, it's up to them. 

Make an appointment to do a virtual tour of other homes.

open houses are a good source for agents to attract new buyer clients. I do not see a problem talking to anyone who attends a open house .

It's never about my own interests. It's always about the person who is requesting information.