Attending an open house is a common step when you’re shopping for your dream home. Of course, it lets you see a property (often after it’s been styled and staged to look its best), which can trigger “I love it!,” “hard pass,” and every possible reaction in between.
But an open house also gives you information beyond just the surface appeal of a home. It can give you clues to structural issues, the level of home maintenance it’s received, and how popular it is with potential buyers. That is, it can if you know what to look for as you walk through, rather than just admiring some great use of subway tile or a charming farmhouse sink.
Here, learn about what to expect at an open house and how to get the most out of attending one.
Key Points
• Going to an open house provides you with opportunities for detailed property viewing and assessing the neighborhood.
• Face-to-face interactions with listing agents can offer more immediate and direct answers to questions than calling or emailing them.
• Seeing a house in person may let you spot hidden flaws and attributes you don’t like.
• Red flags such as uneven floors, mold, and drafts may indicate potentially serious issues.
• An open house is a good opportunity to ask about the property’s history, the neighborhood, and what fixtures are included.
Benefits of Attending an Open House
At an open house, you can view a property, whether you’re just looking casually or already planning on getting your home loan. You can eyeball the house, the street, the neighbors’ places. It can be a great way to scope out what it might be like to live there.
There are several benefits to attending an open house as you move through the steps of buying a house. These include:
• You can hone your house-hunting skills by taking detailed notes and comparing them to past and future listings.
• It’s a face-to-face opportunity to make a good impression on the listing agent and ask as many questions as necessary (without having to wait for a reply).
• Sometimes listing photos simply don’t do a house justice. The in-person lighting might be brighter, the hardwood floors shinier, or the primary bedroom larger than it seemed online.
• Similarly, strategically hidden flaws, red flags, and nuances that can only be detected in person are exposed so you (and other potential bidders) can make a truly informed decision.
Recommended: How Long Does It Take to Buy a House?
What to Expect at an Open House
Some open houses are literally open, meaning they’re posted on a real estate listing or a sign out front and members of the public are allowed to stop by.
In other cases, an open house is available only by appointment and arranged by the seller’s broker.
Typically, the sellers won’t be on the scene at an open house. It’s likely their listing agent will handle the event, guiding potential buyers around the dwelling and answering questions.
There could be other house hunters or curious visitors attending the open house.
Most homebuyers will be provided with a booklet or pamphlet featuring details about the property, which could include the year it was built, heating and cooling information (oil vs. natural gas, etc.), the square footage, how many bedrooms and bathrooms there are, the size of the lot, types of appliances, and exterior features like decks, porches, pools, and sheds.
From there, house hunters will fill out a sign-in document that records their information for follow-up (unless this was already done in advance) and tour the property. This could occur with the listing agent in tow or by themselves, saving questions for the end.
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Open House Etiquette
Figuring out what to do at an open house isn’t always intuitive, but a crisp, respectful approach can go a long way:
• Bringing along food, drinks, pets, or unruly children could be considered disrespectful and distracting.
• Following the house rules can be crucial, so buyers should be prepared to remove shoes, steer clear of personal property, and ask permission before snapping photos.
• Being polite and personable to the hosting agent can help potential homebuyers appear in a more favorable light.
• Maintaining a poker face can be helpful during the open house process. If homebuyers spill the beans about how much they love the property, it could make negotiations tougher if and when they make an offer.
Recommended: The Mortgage Loan Process, Explained
Things to Look For at an Open House
If you stay focused and zoom in on details, you can learn a lot during an open house. Perhaps there’s an initially inconspicuous flaw on the exterior of the house or there’s no closet in the fourth bedroom.
Things to look for when buying a house and at an open house in particular could include:
• Visible signs of neglect or damage (more on that soon).
• Proximity to the neighbors and whether there’s sufficient privacy. A poke around the premises can also reveal what those new neighbors are like. Do they have a half-built skate park? A forever-barking dog? A chicken coop?
• Closet and storage space and whether it’s enough to suit your needs.
• What other potential buyers are up to. If they’re in and out quickly or lingering in one area in particular, perhaps it’s an indication of an issue you should investigate.
Recommended: First-Time Homebuyer Guide
Potential Red Flags
Aside from standard considerations like the ones above, some red flags to look for at an open house could include:
• An abundance of sweet aromas from candles or air fresheners. This could signal hard-to-fix smells (perhaps caused by mildew or another issue) lurking under the surface.
• Unevenly spaced tiles or crooked electrical outlets, which could signify sloppy DIY renovations that might require costly repairs down the line.
• Issues with the foundation of the house like large gaps, doors that stick, windows with visible cracks, or uneven floors.
• Proximity to water. Checking a FEMA flood map can also help potential buyers know whether there’s the risk of flooding and if flood insurance will be required.
• Signs of lax property maintenance, including faded or chipped paint, leaky faucets, water damage, or overgrown grass and brush. These issues could signify that the owners have neglected other vital home maintenance tasks, which could mean a buyer needs extra funds to cover home repair costs.
• Signs of mold: small black or gray spots in bathroom closets or cabinets, on the ceiling, or around showers, tubs, and faucets.
• Exposed pipes with visible rust or leakage.
• Drafts around windows, doors, and electrical outlets that could be a sign of neglect and a hefty heating bill come winter.
• Stained or warped baseboards (especially in the basement) that could indicate a prior flood. A sump pump can also indicate that flood damage has occurred in the past.
• Cosmetic damage like stains from pets that are strategically hidden by area rugs.
• Condensation or peeling paint around windows, which could signify ventilation problems and moisture issues.
Recommended: How to Winterize a House
Questions to Ask at an Open House
Knowing what to ask is an essential element of attending an open house; it can help you make the most of the experience.
Here are a few key questions homebuyers can ask the selling agent:
• What year was the house built?
• Why is it being sold?
• How long has it been on the market, and were there any asking price fluctuations?
• Are there any offers?
• Are there any problems the seller can disclose about the property? These are issues that could come up in an inspection but are made transparent between the seller and buyer, e.g., health and safety hazards, structural defects, mechanical issues, previous water damage, pests, or renovations.
• Is the property part of a homeowners association? Are there monthly fees associated with it?
• What is the local school system like? How about the neighborhood?
• Is the sewer system handled by the town, or does it run on a private septic tank?
• What fixtures and appliances are part of the purchase: washer/dryer, stove, refrigerator, lighting fixtures, and window treatments?
The Takeaway
After every question has been asked, every surface has been scoured, and every disclosure has been made, it might be time to bid and (with luck) snag your new home. Another important step will then be securing a home loan.
Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.
FAQ
What should I not do at an open house?
If you’re attending an open house, it’s a good idea not to reveal too much about your level of interest in the house. Likewise, it’s smart not to talk about your budget or any time constraints you may have. This information is extraneous to the open house, and it could affect your ability to negotiate later if you decide you want to make an offer on the property. Additionally, be a good guest: Don’t be rude or demanding; don’t bring food or drink; don’t bring unruly kids or pets; and ask before taking photos.
How long is an open house?
An open house typically takes from one to three hours. However, if you’re attending one, you’re not expected to stay for the duration. Instead, you should view the house, ask any questions you may have, and leave.
Do real estate agents go to open houses with you?
You can go to an open house without a real estate agent. That said, if you are far enough along in your house search to have engaged a real estate agent, it may be useful to have them with you when you review a property as they may be able to ask questions you don’t think of and provide context on the neighborhood.
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*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
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