Open House Secrets
Amanda Thompson
Office Management & Administrative Support Expert | Leveraging 10 Years of Real Estate Experience
There are so many different ways to find your next home. Attending open houses can be a great way to get more information about a potential home, neighborhood, community, and amenities. It can also feel daunting, driving around for hours, following directional signs, and then blindly walking in, unaware if the home on the other side of the sign even remotely meets your criteria. This guide will help you make the most out of your open house visits and understand what to expect.
Before the Open House
Before visiting an open house, it’s important to do just a little bit of homework. Look into any neighborhoods that you think you're interested in. Make sure it’s a good fit for your lifestyle and needs. Keep a list of things that are important to you outside of the home, for example:
If you have friends or acquaintances in that area, ask them what they like and dislike. You may be surprised to find that the new farmers market is opening only a mile away, or disheartened to hear that there are no plans to put in a cross walk at a dangerous intersection. Getting the "insiders" scoop before you even venture out can save you valuable time.
During the Open House
Once you’re at the open house there are a few things you can expect. An agent will likely greet you at the door, eyes wide and eager, shoving a business card and pen in your hand. Especially if the home is still lived in, the agent will insist that you sign in while making small talk to gauge your reason for being there.
Here's tip #1: Write your name and your Realtor's name. In spaces marked phone and email, write your agent's information. If you need to pull your agent's business card out and copy it down, do it! I've been in real estate for 9 years now and I'll be the first to tell you that collecting your information is much less about "security" as it is gaining your business. Don't get me wrong - knowing who is coming and going is important for safety reasons, but following up with everyone who comes in tops the list!
Once you're past the sign in, take your time to get a good look at the property. Check with the agent on duty before snapping any photos of the interior. Focus on areas of the home you spend the most time in. If you're moving because you need more space, does this home have the extra room you're looking for? Pay attention to the layout, features, storage, and flow of the home. Get a sense for the condition and age of the appliances, fixtures, and finishes. Ask questions about the home and the neighborhood if you have any and take notes.
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After the Open House
After visiting an open house, take a stroll through the neighborhood or drive a few streets. Make note of anything concerning or exciting. How does this home and neighborhood stack up to others you've seen? If you've lingered longer in one house over others, you're probably spending more time envisioning yourself there. Contact your agent and ask for more information and think about writing an offer. In some markets it's not advised to "sleep on it," but as we see a return to normalcy, you may want to take a day to consider all of your options. Ask your agent how long the home has been on the market and what the average days on market are. Lean on your Realtor? to help guide you.
Just for you
Popping into open houses can be fun and a great way to just pass the time - but if you're serious about finding a new home, this next tip will save you! This is my "secret weapon" for anyone looking for a new home in the West Valley of Phoenix. Tip #2: Don't go out driving around blind, hoping that you stumble on a home that fits your needs. I'm offering you a tool that will show you all of the open houses coming up, including dates and times. See what each home has to offer before you even get in your car. No more signing in 10 times with 10 different agents, only to discover that 1 home had enough bedrooms and was within budget. Map out your open houses ahead of time, go in with questions ready, and save time and energy! Want to see the list?
Cheers to finding your next home! I would love to help you with your home search or selling your current home when the time comes. Check out my work at any of my other pages and please, reach out any time!
Amanda Thompson, Realtor? ? eXp Realty, Peoria ? (318)678-3408 ? [email protected]