Open House Tips
Attending an Open House
An open house allows the general public the opportunity to view a home without scheduling a formal private showing. While curious neighbors and casual browsers attend open houses, an open house can be a good opportunity for serious buyers to decide whether a home is worth considering, or a way to obtain more knowledge about the neighborhood and home values.
Sellers have open houses to showcase their homes to prospective buyers and the hopes that an interested buyer will write an offer. At the same time, they also want to keep their home safe and their furnishings free of damage. So please be mindful when attending an open house.
- Bring a notepad to take notes for likes and dislikes and for follow up questions.
- Bring a tape measure to take specific measurements.
- Greet the host and provide your name.
- Sign in when you arrive – even if you are already working with an agent. (this is a safety issue for the seller and their agent). - It is advisable to let the seller’s agent know you are working with an agent.
- If requested – Take off your shoes or wear booties.
- Ask first – If you can take pictures.
- Ask first – If you can capture a video.
- Respect other buyers and guests by waiting for others to exit a room before you enter.
- Provide feedback if requested.
- Refuse to comply with an agent or homeowner’s house rules.
- Criticize the home or the owner’s style.
- Touch the owner’s belongings and open drawers or cabinets.
- Allow children to run around without supervision.
- Bring food or beverages (except water).
- Reveal information that would compromise your negotiating power.
- Bring pets.
2 TIPS to keep in mind
Do not disclose too much about yourself
If you are actively looking to purchase a home – do not divulge to the listing agent your exact budget and why this is the perfect house for you, as this could affect the negotiating stage, should you move forward in making an offer. Be polite but noncommittal about your opinions, and only discuss general price ranges and not specifics.
If you are attending the open house with your agent
While in the home, refrain from discussing with your agent, whether you love or hate the home, you hate the décor, paint color scheme, your financing particulars or opinion on pricing as your conversation may be overhead by the listing agent or other open house attendees. The listing agent could also report your comments back to the seller. And the home may have surveillance/listening devices.
Wait until you are in a more private setting to discuss details.
Things to look for
- You want to look beyond the home’s surface appearance to determine if it will be a good investment, and a good match for your needs.
- Take notes – whether positive or negative, so that you can remember the particulars of each home that you visit.
- If you have a home business or employed and work certain days from home, or have hobbies that require dedicated space, be sure to look for areas that can accommodate them.
- Why is the house for sale? (This can help you determine whether the seller is serious about selling or just testing the market)
- How long has the house been on the market?
- How motivated is the seller?
- How many offers has the seller received?
- Will the seller be reviewing each offer as it comes in or will they be reviewed by a certain date.
- What is the seller’s timeline for closing escrow?
- Will the seller require post-occupancy after the home is sold, and for how long?
- Has the seller made any DIY (do-it-yourself) renovations?
- When was the home last updated?
- What is included with the home sale?
- How old is the roof?
- Are there any structural issues with the home?
- Is there ongoing pest control service?
- What is the average cost of the monthly utilities?
- When were the home’s major components last updated?
- Is there an HOA (Homeowner Association)? (Depending on the area: Just because the home is a single-family residence, does not mean there is no HOA)
- How are the neighbors?
- How is the neighborhood?
- What is the noise level in the neighborhood?
- How are the local schools?
Open House Checklist
Here are some general items to examine during your open house visit:
Interior
- Room size – Is each room large enough to accommodate your furniture?
- Storage space – Are there enough closets and storage space?
- Appliances – Check if they are in good condition
- Cabinets in Kitchen and Bathrooms – Is there sufficient cabinet space?
- Ceilings – Check for signs of water damage
- Electrical outlets – Are there enough of them, and are they conveniently located?
- Flooring – Check for warped floorboards, cracked tiles, etc.
- Garage – Check for slab cracks and uneven cement
- Windows and doors – Check for signs of shifting, unevenness, cracks around corners of walls, etc.
Exterior
- Landscaping – Are the front and back yards in good shape?
- Lot grading – Does the lot slope down towards the house?
- Exterior buildings – Such as additional living area, detached garage and storage sheds.
- Swimming pool/spa – Noticeable cracks inside or on the deck
Open House Red Flags!
Even if a home looks great on the surface, it may not be as good as it appears. Keep in mind that the seller is trying to present their home in the best possible light. While at an open house, pay attention to what others are saying about the property. They may have insights on the home, neighborhood, or schools that you may not be aware of.
Some warning signs to be aware of include outside nuisances, like noisy streets, barking dogs or unruly neighborhood children. An overpowering air freshener may be masking a problem, such as: smell of mildew. Odd furniture placement could be a sign that the seller is hiding something, such as: a cracked wall or damaged or discolored flooring.
Take note if you come across anything that does not seem right with you – Trust your instincts.
