Open houses provide an excellent opportunity to visit a home with minimal interference. As you walk through available properties you may find other prospective buyers visiting the same houses - this makes for a good buffer between you and the real estate agent or home owner facilitating the open house. You'll feel freer to move through the rooms and decide if you wish to bid, and at the same time have an expert on hand with questions. That said, there are a number of things one should note while embarking on open visitations to homes for sale.
Usually open houses are held on weekends for about four hours, mainly in the afternoon. If you know well in advance which homes are to be displayed, plan some time to visit the neighborhood during the week. Drive by in the early morning and late afternoon, when residents are coming and going; this should give you an idea of how busy traffic gets in the area. Take note of neighboring homes and cars, discerning how well the block is kept, if there is noise, and if the home sits on a through street that accounts for thick traffic. These factors will help you decide if this is where you want to live.
House And Condo
When the day of the open house arrives, don't be afraid to ask the tough questions. The seller or agent is there to get you to bid, and you have the upper hand. Find out everything you can about repairs and renovations, the age of the home, whether anything has been replaced or needs replacing, and what items convey. Find out what fees the seller is willing to cover and how much you are expected to pay as far as water, sewage, and electric bills go. If you are visiting a condo or duplex in a gated community, make sure you know if there is a covenant by which you must abide, and if you have children find out about the school district.
Has the home ever been infested with termites? Do the current owners keep pets, and is there a risk for fleas and dander? How is the home heated and cooled, and how well does the insulation hold? Of course, take care to check storage space and rooms.
The more you research and ask questions about homes to buy, the better prepared you'll be for when you make that bid. Buying a home is a serious decision, one not to make lightly. Know the neighborhood, then know if it fits your style.
What to Look For in an Open House
Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on buying homes in Norfolk and downtown Richmond condo rentals.
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