Open houses can be a great experience. You get to check out a nice house in a low-stress environment, and have an opportunity to talk to decision makers at the same time. If you’re in the market for a new home, touring open house listings can be an excellent way to spend an afternoon!
However, you’ll want to make the most of the trip. If you’re seriously considering buying a property, take an extra few minutes and maximize your visit. Here are some key things to remember.
1. Don’t follow the path.
Typically, there is a set path people walk when visiting open house listings. It varies based on the house, but there is a natural ‘flow’ to each property.
Go against the flow!
If it feels natural to turn right upon entering the house, turn left. If you feel like you should look at the kitchen first, check out the bathroom instead. This is an effective mental trick for helping you notice details about the house.
If you follow the ‘normal way,’ your brain will naturally fill in details for you, and it doesn’t have to work as hard. By flipping the script, you force your mind to pay attention to the little things. This is a great way to remember key details later.
2. Go where they don’t want you to.
If the Realtor or homeowner is accentuating certain parts of the house, that is great. These places are probably the parts of the home you’ll enjoy most. These special features help separate one house from another, and you’ll want to pay attention.
However, the OTHER areas are the ones that will give you headaches later. Is there an especially small bedroom? A basement with tough access? A really old electrical box? You want to know this in advance.
The best way to do this is to move at your own pace, and walk slower than you might think. This will also allow you a chance to talk with the people you’re with, and get some fresh perspectives on the house.
3. Bring Useful Tools
Specifically, bring a tape measure, flashlight, and notepad. The tape measure is incredibly useful for measuring room sizes, layouts, and more. When you get home, you’ll be able to see if your couch will fit in the living room, and if that third bedroom will work for the kids.
Flashlights are great for basements, garages, and attics. Typically, these areas are poorly lit, and you’ll want to see whats there. Specifically, look for cracks, water damage, and other structural problems. You don’t have to be a contractor to notice a gaping hole in a wall!
The notepad can help you record your impressions of the place, as well as key dimensions. When you visit 10 open house listings, they start to all blur together. If you can record at least a few impressions, you will thank yourself.
4. Take Pictures
Photographs are incredibly helpful. They can help you remember a layout, provide a reference point for a repair, or remind you that the windows are brand new.
Bring a camera, or snap some pictures with your cell phone. These photos don’t have to be top-notch, professional shots. But you want them to be YOURS.
Professional photographs are great, but as a buyer, you want to see the good and the bad of a home. The photos attached to the listing will highlight its best features, and often use great lighting, special lenses, and photoshop. Try to record the home as you saw it, and you’ll be able to remember it much better.
By using these tips, you should be able to better analyze the different open house listings you visit. You will be able to remember them more effectively, record their best features, and compare them to one another. Happy hunting!