OPEN HOUSE: Buyer Dos and Don'ts

Open houses are a lot of fun to tour, but they can also waste your time when you’re shopping. Acre+ Lot Real Estate has compiled this tip sheet to help you make the most out of touring open houses during your search.

Plan ahead for your weekend tour:

Start with the list of properties you compiled with your Sales Associate. You should only tour properties that meet your requirements and/or are in the same community as your prospective properties.

• Search HAR.com’s list of scheduled Open Houses for the properties on your list and those that are located in the same communities.
• Request the Seller’s Disclosure, any inspection reports and other disclosures for those properties from your Sales Associate, and eliminate those you won’t consider.
• Schedule the tour with your Sales Associate if you don’t want to tour independently.
• Route your tour on a map

During Your Tour:

• Enter through the front door of the property or where designated.
• Greet the Open House Agent and sign-in. Be sure to include your Sales Associate’s and Broker’s name on the sign-in form.
• Pick up any available flyers for the property.
• Review any areas of concern on disclosures and inspection reports. Make notes and take photos.
• Tour every room and outside. Feel the flow and imagine how the property will work for you. Take your time.
• Treat an Open House tour much like you would a showing.
• Thank the Open House Agent before you leave.

DON’TS:

• Don’t ask the Open House Agent questions. Chances are likely they aren’t the listing agent and don’t know much about the property.
• Don’t divulge information to the Open House Agent. They don’t represent you and may relay info back to the listing agent.
• Don’t speak to the seller, if present. If you decide to submit an offer in the future, this could interfere with negotiations. Make notes and ask your Sales Associate to find out.
• Don’t move or touch any items of the Seller’s, including pets. This is a respect and liability issue.
• Don’t ask the Open House Agent about submitting an offer. Discuss this with your Sales Associate.
• Don’t stay if the Open House isn’t ready for visitors. Doing so can put you in a position you don’t need to be in.

(832) 278-2501 broker@acrelotrealestate.com www.acrelotrealestate.com

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The following are additional tips we liked from the web.

1.) "Dress comfortably for an open house, and wear walking shoes — there could be some wandering and stair climbing involved. Bring a notebook and tape measure to take specific measurements...

2.) Don’t let fancy staging or tasty treats sidetrack you from your goal. 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 a lot of notes, jotting down anything that strikes you, whether positively or negatively. Homes can start to blend together when you’re looking at a lot of them, and you want to make sure you remember what made this particular place stand out to you." - Bankrate.com

3.) "Pay attention to the neighbors. When you visit an open house, it is worth taking some time to look at the homes of your potential neighbors but from a distance.

Are the homes well-kept? Does the yard look neglected or messy? Bad neighbors can be a nightmare for any homeowner, so look closely to see if anything about the nearby homes could indicate a potential problem...

4.) Look for signs of neglect. When visiting an open house, try not to get distracted by beautiful staging or fresh flowers. Instead, view each room of the home with a critical eye.

Look for cracks in the paint or walls, older plumbing or HVAC systems, signs of neglect, or a sagging roof. These can all be signs that the current homeowner has not looked after the property to the highest standard, leaving the new buyers with possible expensive home repairs.

5.) Check under sinks for mold or water damage. Mold is something that can often be hard to see, but it can cause big problems to a home. If a home has previously sustained any flooding or water damage, there is a chance that mold could be present.

While sometimes mold is obvious, it also loves to hide in dark, damp places. Look under sinks, in bathrooms, in the basement, and even under the deck for any mold or mildew.

If you cannot see it, you may be able to smell it, as mold tends to have a musty or earthy smell. Although mold can be treated, it is not good for the walls or your home, and it can also cause health problems.

6.) Keep an eye out for hidden problems.

If a home is fully furnished during the open house, some of the walls and floors may be blocked. Of course, there is also the chance that furniture has been placed intentionally, blocking scrapes on walls or damaged flooring.

It is not appropriate to move around someone else’s furniture, but do try to look past it as much as you can, checking for any holes, scrapes, or damage to the drywall, broken bricks or tiles, or sagging floorboards.

While most sellers are honest and will disclose any damage to the property, it is still a good idea to examine each property with caution." - Hommati.com

7.) "Check for damage or disrepair. Professional or edited photos can make a home look a lot better online than it is in person. At an open house, take the opportunity to closely evaluate a home's condition and take note of any potential defects that would factor into your offer price. 

Assess the windows: Look for flaking paint, misaligned sashes and condensation due to air leaks. These could be signs of windows that need replacement. 

Check for water damage: Look for warped baseboards, ceiling stains and musty smells. 

Make note of cracks: Noticeable cracks in the ceiling or drywall could indicate foundation issues. 

Test functions: Open cabinets, doors and drawers. Run the faucets. Check the water pressure. An open house is a good opportunity to make sure every part of the home is in good working order. 

Gauge potential renovation needs: Home improvements can really add up. As you walk through a home, keep an eye out for urgent renovation needs like floors, fixtures or large repainting projects." - Zillow.com

8.) "Learn to recognize homes with ‘good bones,’ and watch out for clever staging. As you attend multiple open houses, you should develop a critical eye. Be on the lookout for signs that a house has underlying issues or aging systems that will be expensive for any new owner to replace.

How old is the roof? What’s that stain on the ceiling? What kind of plumbing is the house equipped with — corroding copper or modern PVC?

These factors matter far more than the color of the walls or furniture selections. Some signs of clever staging are mirrors to make the room look larger, carefully arranged flowers and plants, and strong scents to cover odors." - homelight.com

Conclusion:

There are many more great tips to help you make the most out of your open house weekends available on the internet. I hope these specific tips help you focus by cutting through the awe of touring properties and find one that meets your needs just a little better!

Happy House Hunting!

Written by Kristen Page, Broker, Acre + Lot Real Estate