I am amazed that agents are able to convince perfectly reasonable people to allow perfect strangers who may not even be thinking of buying a house to wander unescorted through their home. Especially in this day where the looker may be a burglar, checking to see if it's worth coming back tonight, a pedifile, or other pervert, seeing who lives in the house, or a person who doesn't like you and wants to see how you live. It amazes me. Especially when open homes actually get lower prices. That is because these thieves have been invited.
Auctions get lower prices Much lower.
Think about this. Say you want to buy at auction. Say that there is a second bidder. One with a pulse. Not a tree or the agents wife.