Visiting An Open House? Great Tips & Tricks For Open House Shopping
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How To Visit An Open House!

2018-06-22

Visiting an open house is a great way to get started when shopping for a new (first, or next) home.  Here is a list of tips to help make your house-hunting more successful.

Making the decision to buy a new home is a significant one.  This is especially true if it will be your first home after you’ve been renting, or if you are moving to a new province. There can be a lot to think about, especially when it comes to considering your financing options.  Making the decision to sell your current home, locating an appropriate and desirable area to move to, let alone actually finding a new home for you and your family! It can be easy to get caught up in the details of loans, interest rates and other financial issues.  You have to keep in mind that the most important aspect of this journey is finding a home that you and your loved ones can be happy in.

How To Visit An Open House!

To do this, you will need to view many different houses to find one that is the perfect match for you, and an Open House is a great way to do this. Open Houses are easy to find via the MLS Multiple Listing Service.

Take the time to view a variety of different homes. Establish what you like, what you don’t like, and what you can afford. Make sure that whoever is going to be living in the home also plays a role in making the decision, as it is important for everyone to be comfortable and happy.

You may find, as you only have a small amount of time inside each home, that it is difficult to remember details about each house, particularly if you are viewing multiple homes in a single day. You need to take in as much as you can while you’re on each property, but what are the important details to remember? Well, here are a few ideas.

Open House shopping is a good way to start looking

An Open House is a good way to start for home buyers.

Prepare before you go

Make sure you are well prepared for each open house. You should bring a measuring tape, a notebook or writing pad, and a camera (unless your cell phone has a good camera). Take as many notes as possible while you are viewing the house, but make sure you don’t spend all your time writing and no time looking around and soaking up the atmosphere of the house. Notes are especially important if you are viewing multiple open homes, and will help you to remember which house had the large kitchen, which had the living room filled with natural light, and which had ample storage space. Photos can also prove very helpful, but make sure you have permission from the REALTOR® before doing so.

Look for the Flaws

When you’re not taking notes or photographs, make sure you look for signs of Damage. Water damage, areas of disrepair, and anything that will need fixing and replacing. Take the time to open cupboards, drawers, and anything else with a door.

Picture your current home and compare.  Does this Open House you are looking at have enough storage space for all of your belongings? It is also important to assess the outside of the house too. Is the guttering in good condition? Are there any tiles missing from the roof? Does the yard have enough space to meet your needs? Answers to each of these questions will help you find a great new home.  One that can meet the every need of you and your family.

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When you find a good one, call a Real Estate Agent to represent you!

Always keep in mind that the agent who is holding the Open House works for the home seller.  As the buyer, you should have your own agent!  Call a qualified real estate agent who can represent you, and look after YOUR interests.  Better yet, seek out an Accredited Buyer Representative (A.B.R.®) who is specifically trained to look after the home buyers interests.  Read more about A.B.R.’s in this slideshare:

 

Kurt Jacobson is a surfing enthusiast with a background in real estate. Having moved 10 times in the past 7 years, he thrives on helping others learn from his experiences. When he’s not out shredding waves he writes about rental homes for RentFinder.co. 

Real Estate Agents Note about Open Houses

If you are already working with a ‘Buyers Agent’, please make sure that you check with him/her first, BEFORE going to an Open House.   This is to check your local rules and customs.  Please remember that the agent who is running the house does have the right to ask for your name and/or other ID prior to letting you into the home.  Also remember that he/she represents the home seller.

Also read: What to look for at an Open House.

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How To Visit An Open House! open houseAbout the Publisher

Bo Kauffmann is a residential real estate agent with over 18 yrs experience in helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals.  Inducted into the REMAX Hall of Fame in 2010 and receiving the REMAX Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Bo has sold over 500 houses and condos in the Greater Winnipeg market.  He is an accredited buyer representative (A.B.R.) and a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist.   Bo provides exceptional service to First-Time Home-Buyers, Seniors looking to downsize and Home Sellers of all ages.   He can be reached easily   By E-Mail or call/text him   Call/Text Here
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Bo Kauffmann

🏆 Award-winning RE/MAX Listing Agent and 🏡  Home Buying Specialist in Winnipeg. If you're thinking about real estate in Winnipeg, think "𝘽𝙤 𝙆𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙨 Real Estate" 📲  𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙚𝙭𝙩 (204) 333-2202 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩.

36 Comments

  1. Stephanie

    I am going to take your advice and visit different open houses in my chosen areas. And once I pin down the property that I’m interested in, I will definitely call a real estate agent to represent me.

  2. Rose

    I will definitely keep these things in mind when I got to an open house. Sometimes we are easily impressed by the looks and forget about the important details of the house that we need to know. Great read! Thanks.

  3. Carla Larson

    I love taking advantage of open houses! I agree with you, you should really look for the flaws! It’s better to spot them in persion

  4. Marco Antonio

    I’ve never really been to an open house before, so the tips included in this article are very much noted. I think it’s important to have someone accompany you when checking a house/condo unit. That way, they might be able to see things (such as damages, repairs), that you may not have noticed; and vice-versa.

  5. Charlene G

    Yes, I totally agree that the best way to ensure you’re making the right investment is through an open house. Definitely take note of the flaws because you wouldn’t want to live in a house that would surprise you with a hole or anything.

  6. Maury Cheskes

    I agree that before buying a home you should be as observant and critical as possible. Comparing notes from different open houses is a good way to help you make your choice. I also think you should choose a reliable real estate agent that has had good reviews online. Thanks for sharing.

  7. David Tjoe

    Thank you for the tips given, this might be very useful for many people. But for myself, I will avoid viewing multiple homes in a single day. And prioritizing strategic locations and the conditions of neighbors around the location.

  8. David Mureithi

    It’s highly recommended to always plan before doing anything. Actually that is the most basic part.

  9. Aissa Jo Quizon

    In order to get the best house that you want for your money, you really have to take into consideration the need to inspect the house that you want by yourself. People could be victimized just by shopping on the internet for a house and finding out that it costs more to renovate it than the whole price of actually just buying it off from some site altogether. The tips and rules you have outlined in this article for open house visits are practical and great advice to take note of. Thanks!

  10. Scott Summerrs

    Look for flaws yes but do not be picky. I mean it is fine and dandy to want the best product possible but at least be reasonable about it. After all there is a difference between criticism and being straight up looking fault at anything.

  11. Rae

    Thank you very much for the informative article! Never knew the tips and rules of visiting open house. It really helped me understand the topic of it.

  12. Roy

    A wonderful and handy article surely will remember all the tips mentioned here when visiting open house.

  13. Ricco Hardi

    Look for the flaws and damages if there are any. Home owner tries to hide them from you so your check should be thorough. And also check the for the space and compare it to your current home space.

  14. Lily James

    I always prepare the checklist of the important things that I need in my future home. So when I visit the open house, I can be sure which amenities are available and which are missing.

  15. Candice

    This article was very helpful. I have always felt awkward going to open houses. It just feels so weird to go into someone’s home (I also hate going into an occupied home with a Realtor). This article takes some of the anxiety our of it by giving me an idea of what to expect as well as preparing me for the experience. Maybe i will check out a few open houses and not feel like a complete idiot who is out of place.

    • Bo Kauffmann

      Open Houses are probably the least stressful way to see a house. Some REALTORS® may ask you to sign a ‘sign-in-sheet’, but other than that, you can just look around without any pressure

  16. Kabir

    very good tips, Next time when I will go any open house these could be very handy. thanks.

  17. Mohammad

    If I get an Accredited Buyer Representative as you recommend, then how much in fees to I have to pay for their service?

    • Bo Kauffmann

      Hi Mohammad. That really differs between agents and areas of the country. I for one, won’t charge anything for my service if buying a house which is listed on the MLS. My fee is already built into the listed price.

  18. Deandre Balson

    My wife and I are shopping for a home right now. The process is a bit more complicated than we expected. We will contact you early next week for free consultation. Thank you.

    • Bo Kauffmann

      Excellent, thank you. I look forward to hearing from you

  19. Juliet

    I really like the tips and warnings about looking for the flaws. Most open houses that I’ve gone to always try to beautify and hide the flaws ( and I do understand that may be part of their job), but it’s also the job of buyers like me to make sure I’m aware of what I’m getting into. The good, the bad and the ugly!

  20. Christoper

    You’re dead on with this open house tips. I can tell that you’re a true professional and really know what you’re talking about.

  21. Isabel

    I would concentrate on the flaws because these are probably the most important ones – solid roof, excellent plumbing, no structural damage, no pests, etc. Ask the neighbors what they think of the house you are buying, if this is possible.

  22. Layla Summers

    I think that the article is so well written and full of details that would help anyone buying a home, but it is especially more valueable for first time buyers who haven’t a clue of where to start when looking for a new home.

  23. MilanoMils76

    This is very helpful information, sometimes even unthinkable to bring a note pad when we want to go looking for a new home. So i strongly agree that we should have our own agent who understands well about the housing and details that must be considered.

  24. germain

    Okey, I got it Mr.Kauffmann. Just like to do everything we have to prepare first and sure, make notes. I prefer to use our smartphone camera. My problem is to call a real estate agent in Winnipeg. Do you have recommendation?

    • Bo Kauffmann

      Yes, Germain. Please contact me anytime, right here. I’ll be happy to help you get a great home in Winnipeg.

  25. Enola

    Ok will remember that, bring ring measuring tape, notebook, and camera! Thanks.

  26. Justin

    Great tips on visiting an open house. I have never ever thought about actually preparing for one of these. I just thought you just show up and look. Useful tips!

  27. Daphne

    This blog is very informative about tips and tricks on visiting an open house. House hunting is not easy, so having your own real estate agent is very important.

  28. Jess and Brandon @ Watch Me Wander

    Excellent advices. I really like your article. You have so many useful informations. Thank you for sharing it with us.

  29. AudreyGreenwood

    Excellent advice here. I'd just like to add in then you might want to make sure that you look at all the different areas of the house htat most people tend to gloss over – like the attics and basements. You want to make sure that there's more than enough space for all the things that you are bringing over. It owuld be a dsiaster if you got all your moving boxes brought over and realise that you have no space to unpack them anywhere!

    • Bo Kauffmann

      Thank you for commenting, and making some excellent points.

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