Why You Shouldn’t Overshare at an Open Home
Walking through an open home can feel exciting. Sometimes you instantly picture your family living there, hosting dinners, or watching the kids play in the backyard. But here’s the mistake many buyers make: saying too much in front of the selling agent.
It may feel like harmless small talk, but every detail you share goes straight into the agent’s notes and will likely be used against you when it comes to negotiations.
Why Oversharing Hurts Your Negotiating Power
Selling agents aren’t the enemy. They’re simply doing their job: securing the best possible result for the vendor who has engaged and paid them. But that means anything you reveal could compromise your position as a buyer.
Here’s how oversharing can cost you:
1. Revealing Your Budget
If you hint at how much you can stretch, expect the price to move closer to your ceiling. Agents are skilled at gauging what you can “really” afford.
2. Expressing Too Much Interest
The moment you tell an agent you’re in love with a property, you lose leverage. They’ll know you’re emotionally invested, which weakens your position at auction or in negotiations.
3. Sharing Personal Details
Mentioning job changes, deadlines, or access to additional funds provides the agent with powerful insights into your circumstances — information they can (and will) use to drive the price higher.
What to Do Instead
The smartest strategy at an open home is to stay neutral. Rather than giving away information, focus on asking questions about the property, the campaign, and recent comparable sales.
Or better yet, leave the talking to a professional.
How a Buyer’s Advocate Levels the Playing Field
As a buyer’s advocate in Melbourne, I act solely on your behalf. While the selling agent is there to get the highest price for the vendor, my role is to ensure you secure the property you love without overpaying.
With my negotiation-only service, you can:
Stay emotionally detached while I handle the hard conversations.
Gain a clear, data-backed understanding of true market value.
Access strategies that put you in the strongest possible position.
Secure your home in a way that feels calm and controlled.
You focus on falling in love with the home and I’ll focus on making sure it’s yours.
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Local Knowledge That Gives You the Edge
Whether you’re searching in Kew, Hawthorn, or Camberwell or looking slightly further north into Ivanhoe, Alphington, Fairfield, or Northcote the principle is the same. The less you reveal to the selling agent, the stronger your position becomes.
And with my insider knowledge of Melbourne’s inner east and north-east suburbs, I know exactly how agents operate in each local market, giving you an advantage most buyers don’t have.
Ready to Buy in MELBOURNE?
If you’re considering a move to Melbourne’s suburbs and want to make sure you’re buying right, let’s talk.
📞 0403 027 645
🌐 advocateagency.au
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