We all see the signs on the side of the road, sometimes sporting balloons, announcing an Open House nearby. Whether you are looking to buy a house or not, it is a great idea to stop by. There are many reasons why people come to open houses, but typically, they can be broken down into two main groups -the “nosey neighbor” and the “serious buyer”.
The Smart Neighbor
When I am conducting an open house, a guest will sometimes stop in and almost apologetically offer up, “I’m just a nosey neighbor”, when in fact, they are a very “smart” neighbor.
If you are an existing homeowner, I encourage you to visit other homes in your neighborhood. First, it provides an opportunity to view upgrades and changes to the homes you are visiting as it relates to similar work you may be considering for yours. Second, it may give you an idea of what the market value of houses are in the area, providing more insight into what your own house might be worth.
If you are anticipating the sale of your own home now or in the future, visiting a neighbor’s open house also provides an opportunity to “interview” the hosting agent. Does the agent engage you in conversation? Does he or she share knowledge on the property and/or the area? Does the agent escort you when presenting the property or give you an off-handed suggestion to “go look around?”
The “Serious Buyer”
The second type of visitor I come across at open houses is the “serious buyer”. However, my view of what a “serious buyer” is may not be what you think. A “serious buyer” is not someone visiting a specific house with checkbook in hand to purchase it. Instead, a “serious buyer” is someone who is planning to buy in the near future.
Some might argue that with all the information on properties you can get on the internet, attending open houses is not necessary anymore. However, there are a few important reasons why attending an open house is beneficial even when you are able to view photos and other information of a property online.
First, consider the important senses that you can use to judge a house in-person that are not available when viewing a house online. Until you visit a property, you do not know how that house smells. This is especially important as it relates to the presence of pets (especially if you have allergies) or mold. Second, you must also consider the sounds around and in a home. By actually visiting a property, you may discover the sounds of a nearby highway or rattling train that is not evident otherwise.
Open Houses are for Everyone
While I consider the “nosey neighbor” and “serious buyer” the two main classifications of open house visitors, there are many other types of visitors as well. For example, I have also had folks come to my open houses to explore new neighborhoods or to investigate what a downsized property would mean to them.
No matter your motivation for attending an open house, or where you stand in the buying/selling process, visiting an open house gives you the opportunity to meet a real estate professional and assess if you feel comfortable with that agent. Does the agent appear to be working hard to sell the house you are visiting, as you would want if you needed to sell your own? Just like the benefit of already knowing the name and number of a plumber when you discover water dripping from your ceiling, having the contact information of a friendly, professional Realtor will someday be to your benefit.