Despite the increased ability of the internet to assist in home buying, open houses have been, and will continue to be, a widely used and successful tool in the selling of a home. While holding an open house as a seller has one set of rules and practices, what can you do, as a buyer, to maximize your experience when attending an open house?
Observe the other attendees
If you want to get a feel for the home, watch what other people are doing before you even enter. Are they quickly walking in and out? If so, that could indicate that the home has some significant issues. Once you enter, take a look around and see how engaged the other buyers are with the agent showing the home. If they’re asking a lot of questions, it could indicate that the home is a popular listing.
Ask questions
The real estate agent at the open house is a wellspring of information about the home, neighborhood, and market in general and making use of their knowledge can be of great benefit to you. Some key questions you should ask are: why the seller is selling the home, if there have been a lot of showings, and how long the home has been on the market.
Evaluate the agent
Real estate agents help clients both buy and sell homes, and when attending an open house, you’ll have direct access to the agent there. When asking questions, pay attention to the agent’s demeanor, knowledge and personality. If you happen to hit it off, you may be able to begin a working relationship and utilize that agent’s services in finding a home.
