Hello

I believe that it is fair that a real estate agent should get your name and phone number when you visit a house. Some agents require photo identification when you visit a house, I think this is reasonable also. I look at this from the vendors position, it is their house, and they don’t know you. Of course, 99% of people are honest but unfortunately, we have to make decisions based on the 1%.

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The problem that buyers often have with giving out their personal information is that they may not want a phone call or if they give their email address they might be put on a database. This is where you can draw the line though. If you are a legitimate buyer, I believe that receiving a phone call from the real estate agent after the open house if reasonable, as you have inspected the house and it’s important for the vendor to get some feedback. If you really don’t want that call, simply tell the agent when you leave that you don’t wish to receive a follow up call. I personally wouldn’t provide my email address unless I needed something to be sent via email from the agent.

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When I was regularly doing open houses, I would always get the buyers details and if they wouldn’t provide them, I would not let them inside the house. If they didn’t want to give them, it probably meant that they are not real buyers anyway, because all the other local agents had the same policy. I never cared if they were neighbours or not serious buyers yet. I always believe that honesty is the best policy so if you are not a real buyer, just state that so that the agent can spend more time with the serious buyers. In my opinion, it’s really not a big deal. If you don’t want to be contacted, just say so, agents often appreciate this.