A picture may be worth a thousand words, but there is no substitute for an in-person visit when you’re looking to buy a home. After all, the smell that conveys with a home may be difficult to get rid of and real estate photographers are masters when it comes to glossing over hidden issues.
Visiting an open house can help you get a feel for the neighborhood and whether it’s a good fit for your preferences and lifestyle. Similarly, an open house can help you figure out if the neighbors have several cars up on blocks in the front yard, angry barking dogs or wild parties (listing photos often do not include this information).
When you purchase a residential resale, you’re essentially buying the seller’s efforts, improvements and shortfalls, just as it is with used cars. It involves a lot of trust and sometimes, depending on the market and the sense of urgency, a leap of faith. At some open houses, you may be able to meet the seller and learn about what they have done to the home, as well as their opinion on the neighborhood.
The amount of foot traffic at the open house can help you gauge how much interest there is in the property and how much time you have to submit an offer. Going to an open house can help you find an agent if you don’t already have one. It can also give you an opportunity to ask the listing agent some pointed questions they may not be willing to answer over email.
A good starting point is to ask the listing agent if they can tell you more about the house, whether there has already been an offer, and what kinds of updates have been made. Generally, keeping the questions vague and remaining quiet is a good idea; in fact you may be surprised by how much information a talkative agent may accidentally divulge about the house and the motivation of the seller.
Likewise, you’ll want to keep quiet about your personal motivations and budget, as the agent at the open house is not an advocate for you unless you’ve signed a buyer agency agreement. There are many other things to keep in mind, whether you’re looking for an open house in the Greater Boston area, Cape Cod, the South Shore or South Coast.
Get Organized and Equipped
A little planning goes a long way. Before you leave the house, pick the homes you plan on visiting and look at a map, so you don’t end up backtracking and spending all day in the car. Google Maps can chart multiple destinations by clicking on the ‘add a stop’ button under ‘more options.’ You can pick a route on your computer and have it sent to your phone with a click.
If possible, try to get to the house you are most interested in first, so you can have ample time to check it out without rushing. It’s also a good idea to bring the following:
- Tape measure – This can help you figure out whether your couch, TV or bed will fit
- Checklist and/or notes app – Having a printed copy of the listing can be very convenient for taking notes about the property, as the details can start to run together after viewing many different houses on the same day
- Clothing – Touring open houses all day requires a lot of walking, so comfortable walking shoes are a must. Also, wearing something that is too tight and/or uncomfortable may not be a good idea. It could also be worth your time to bring a mask, as some are still requiring one for entry
Focus on Structure, not Style
It’s likely that many of the homes you will be viewing will have been staged to create the best possible impression. Furniture, artwork and decorative items can be a big distraction and you should keep in mind, in the case of a staged home, that all of these have been chosen by a professional.
Even with a home that has not been staged, the furniture, paint colors and interior décor items can distract you from what you should be focused on: the condition of the walls, cabinetry, ceilings and floors. Paint is one the cheapest fixes out there, but water damage on the ceiling, not so much.
It is also advisable to check out where the electrical outlets are located, the condition of the kitchen counters, and whether or not the overhead light fixtures/ceiling fans function properly, as all of these items are easy to overlook.
Assess Storage Space
Evaluating the amount of available storage space in a home is critical, especially if you are a senior looking to downsize when buying a home or townhome in the South Coast, South Shore, Cape Cod or Boston area. Homes with a finished room over the garage can sometimes have floored attic storage, so it’s worthwhile to check it out.
For home buyers who are looking to move up and purchase a larger single family home, it is a good idea to note the amount of storage space available, as well as whether or not the property has enough room to add a shed.
Look at the Exterior
A listing photo is unlikely to show a crack in the foundation or masonry, a rusty HVAC unit or rotten window frames. There is not going to be enough time to do a full inspection and other people are likely to be around, a factor that can be a distraction for anyone, even the most seasoned home buyers.
When you visit a house, make sure to take a look at the shape the mortar is in if it’s a brick or stone house, the condition of the siding or stucco, if applicable, the roof, shingles, gutters and exterior trim.
Walk the Property
Take your time and stroll through the property. This can help you figure out how much time you will need to set aside each week for maintaining the yard. Have a look at the bushes, the trees and which species they are. Are the trees a desirable species or are they just giant weeds?
An overgrown yard and other signs of deferred maintenance can be a huge red flag, pointing to broader issues the seller may have hastily covered over.
Follow Open House Etiquette
When touring open houses in the South Coast, Boston, Cape Cod or South Shore areas, it’s important to keep in mind that the property is someone’s home. Generally, it’s a good idea to show respect for the home and follow the Golden Rule. How would you like your home treated if you were having an open house? There are a few other ways to show respect, including:
- Leaving children at home – Anyone who is fortunate enough to have children knows they can be a bright spot in our lives and the home will need to be appropriate for their needs as well. However, children can be a significant distraction and there may be only one chance to review the home’s condition and neighborhood prior to submitting an offer, so leaving them at home and/or finding a babysitter is probably a good idea.
- Leaving pets at home – A seller may not want to have muddy paws walking across their carpet, and your fellow open house attendees may be allergic, so to be polite, do not take your pet to an open house.
- Ask permission to take photos – Even though the house likely has photos online, it’s a good idea to ask permission first. If nothing else, it will help to establish a relationship with the listing agent, which can help if you want to submit an offer.
Finally, when touring open houses, it’s advisable to trust your intuition. If something doesn’t look or feel right about a property, you may know it without being able to provide a specific reason. Quality agents such as the ones who work with Jack Conway may tell you that when you walk into a house and it’s a definite ‘No,’ you will immediately know it.
Knowing when to move on can be an essential time-saving strategy. Figuring out whether a home is a ‘Yes’ or not will take more time and it’s a process that should be taken very seriously. For more tips and ideas on how to buy and sell real estate in the South Coast, South Shore, Cape Cod or Boston areas, check out our blog, linked here.
