Whether you are checking out a home for sale around the corner, or on the hunt for your next home, here are some ways to make that open house worth your while.
Touring an open house can be a great way to get a feel for a neighborhood, or decide if you are ready to make the move. Going through numerous open houses can help you decide what you want in your dream home (and what you definitely don’t). Open houses can also help you gain an understanding of when a house is priced right, or when it may be overpriced.
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Know what to look for.
On the interior, be on the look out for uneven floors, water stains, cracks in the ceilings or walls, or mold. On the exterior, look for damage to outer walls. If it’s okay with the listing agent, take pictures of the inside and the outside of the house. This will help you go back later and figure out what you may need to invest in the home.
As another note, watch the behavior of other potential buyers visiting the home. Are they in and out? There might be potential problems. Are they lingering? This might be a sign you will have competition when writing an offer.
Here is a short list of things to watch out for:
Any kind of damage
The neighbors
Closet space
Privacy
Natural air flow
Ask questions.
Here are some questions to ask so you can get a good idea of what your experience could be like at your future home:
How many offers has the seller received?
Why are the sellers selling?
How long has the property been on the market? Why?
When was the house built? Any updates?
How much are monthly utilities?
How motivated is the seller to sell the property?
What are the neighbors like?
How are the local schools?
What’s the noise level in the neighborhood?
As you travel through open houses this weekend and beyond, you will refine your list of questions, how to communicate with agents, and how to look past superficial flaws to find your dream home.
