So they had an open house and left in the middle to show a house?

That's nuts.

Hmmm, was the 'gotta show'  house next door? Builders do this all the time.

I have done this. However, as I've stated 1,000 times NEVER DO AN OPEN HOUSE ALONE. So, no, the house would not be empty. And no, I would not betray a homeowner by leaving their house open and unguarded at any time.

When listing agents business models do not require them to be present for all showings, I see little difference in their treatment of the seller whether it an open house or not.

that listing agent should be dismissed by that homeowner.... 

There's no excuse to justify that.

The listing agent left an unlocked, unattended home?  That's horrific!

That's terrible.

Good way to get into a whole lot of trouble.

That's horrible, Paul! The agent surely wasn't working in the best interest of the seller. WOW!

WHAT?!?!  That continues to underscore my bafflement that some agents actually get (& remain!) hired...   But to answer your question, NO - it's absolutely not a good way to treat your seller & if I was in that situation, I'd definitely wait for a time when I'm not otherwise commited. 

Certainly doesn't display having an fiduciary responsibilities to his clients... That is totally wrong, and could potentially get in into a lot of trouble.  If only the Sellers were aware.... they would fire his/her A*s in a hearbeat..

Heck no. Show it & sell it & not wait for others at a worthless OH.

You never ditch your obligation at an OH.

Okay dumb question. Was the home unlocked or secured? If the home was left open and unattended, that's a pretty serious breach of duty of care.

I support out of the box thinking and action but not out of the house

The agent just left the house open? As the seller I would be livid. -Kasey

Absolutely wrong!  It is not only tacky and unprofessional but frought with liability for that agent!  Honestly, Paul, that person needs to be reported!

I would think that is odd and I imagine many open house visitors thought the same(or worse). It makes me wonder what the owners/sellers of the subject property thought/said.

I don't hold open houses, so not an issue for me. But if I did, I'd certainly wait. And that brings me to  the issue that I don't believe agents hold open houses for their sellers' benefit, but to acquire some leads.

Wow.  Just think of the liability.  

Never leave your post or Open House. I have bought lunch for prospective clients at my local haunts while I finish with an open but would not risk being fired by the Seller for this type of disrespect to them.

Oh, OUCH. 

I would never leave an open house unattended.  That's just CRAZY.

    Were the doors unlocked?  Or was there a sign on the door saying, "Back in 1 hour"?

      Not good.

Funny, i went to a few open houses over the weekend looking for a new home for me. I found one wide open and no one there. I found another locke dup tights and dark with an open house sign outside. so it goes to say sellers should choose better listing agents

No, but this supports why I believe open houses to the un-approved public are a waste of time. Even that agent bailed on their own open house.

That is terrible.

He should have completed the open house prior to showing that buyer.

The open house is your priority. It should never be unattended!

Sounds potentially criminal. If anything happened to the house, it would be the agent's liability. 

Say what???

Never heard of such a thing..

Wait until after the open house is over, then you can show other properties.

I went to one open house where the agent had left a note on the door to "come on in,"  I will be back in an hour.  There is no excuse for doing this to the client who has hired you to sell their home.

Get this. We have one bozo listing agent who thinks he's very clever who actually does this.

He'll open house his multiple listings in one area, leaves a note on the door or kitchen counter if the visitor is interested on the property to call him as he's nearby. Then he spends the afternoon in his car driving from one open house another.

Lately however, he uses the OpenDoor approach and installs cameras at the front door of multiple open houses. When someone enters, he drives over right away to greet the potential buyer if not accompanied by a buyer-agent. And so on for each open house visitor.

Sometimes at our New Construction site ,I'll leave the Model to walk some lots with the consumer 

Of course!

Well . . .  I have never done that, and yes, I would wait until after my Open House to show another Listing Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS, .  Seems like you are showing your seller that they don't matter, now that you have the listing (and you are hoping they don't find out - HA!), AND, you are showing a buyer how you treat your seller, meaning one day you may 'leave them' to work with another buyer or seller. 

I would have at least locked the house up instead of leaving it unattended. Maybe the agent talked to sellers and sellers said it was ok to leave? Who knows.

I would not leave my open house to show another home.  I understand the an open house is mostly for the agents benefit but a commitment is a commitment.

Someone showed my listing last week because people walked in to the open house (vacant) she was hosting (not the listing agent) and wanted to see it.  They may be writing an offer too!

Worst part is, I had an open house scheduled for the next day.  Could have picked up the buyer myself had they waited until the proper open house day!

It would depend on the circumstances, but I typically try to stay at the open house for the entire time that was advertised.

Thanks for sharing this experience.

Speechless

No.

Worse yet never even lock the house door at 6 PM.  

Was the house left open for anyone to walk in? Would not leave the house during an open house. 

Leaving a house unattended is very dangerous! 

Wow, that is not good for our profession.

Either your latter answer to your question, or set an appointment for a future date, provided the prospect has a current Pre-Approval Letter or POF.

We never do that. One thing at a time.

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS, unless it is a new construction, I think this is not acceptable.

Very unprofessional behavior. Totally unacceptable. 

Um, no. If I found out that happened to me, I would fire the agent in a heartbeat and recommend against using them to everyone I knew.

If the home was open and unattended, this violates lots of MLS rules.  NO, it's not a good way to treat my seller. 
If I meet someone who wants to see another listing I wait or have another agent in my office, probably my wife take over the open house or show the other property.  

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS, very bad decision by the listing agent.