When you attend an open house, you're not just inspecting a product for sale; you're entering someone's home.  Be a good guest and observe these rules of etiquette.

 - Be respectful of open-house hours.  Just as it's impossible to arrive early, when the hosting agent may be unprepared for visitors, don't linger longer than necessary.  The agent may have other appointments to get to, so if they start turning off the lights, take that as your cue to get going.

 - Don't show up with a crowd.  Open houses aren't a means of entertaining your whole family for free on a weekend afternoon.  It's preferable you not bring your children so you won't be distracted from viewing the home, but if you do bring them, make sure they're well supervised.

 - Don't bring food or beverages inside with you.  Remember, even though it's for sale, the home you're touring still belongs to someone and should be left as it was found.  Refreshments are provided at many open houses, in which case eating and drinking them is perfectly appropriate.

 - If the hosting agent asks you to remove your shoes or of there is a sign asking that shoes be removed, the seller has specifically requested that it be done.  Be sure to respect their wishes.  Even if you aren't asked to remove your shoes, it's good manners to do so anyway.

 - If you're asking to show identification or to register with your name, address and phone number, don't take offense.  Unfortunately, agents and homeowners are sometimes the victims of crime during open houses; requesting such information from you is merely a safety precaution.