How To Make The Most Of An Open House When Buying

When you're in the market to buy a home, attending open houses can be a great way to get your feet wet. Compared to private home tours, open houses are public events hosted by a seller's agent. On a specific date and window of time, all interested buyers are welcome to attend an open house and see the property for themselves, whether they have a real estate agent or not.

If you have plans to hit up some open houses this weekend, there are some things you can do to make the most of the experience.

Take Pictures, But Ask Permission First

It's not uncommon for prospective buyers to attend multiple open houses on the same day or over the course of a single weekend. Over time, the details of these houses may begin to run together. You can help separate details of the homes you see by printing out copies of each listing and bringing them with you to take notes on. You might also consider taking some of your own pictures of what you like most about each home, but be sure to ask the agent for permission before you start snapping away.

Explore the Neighborhood While You're There

Before or after you attend the open house, take some time to walk around the neighborhood itself. If you notice any neighbors outside, don't hesitate to strike up a friendly conversation with them to find out more about the area. You can learn a lot about a neighborhood and the people living in it by simply doing a walk around the area on a busy Saturday or leisurely Sunday.

Take a Minute to Listen to Other Prospective Buyers

While touring a home for an open house, take a step back and become a fly on the wall. Listen to what other people are saying as they walk through the house; this can give you a better idea as to what level of interest other buyers have. If there don't seem to be many people in attendance or if people don't seem to be staying very long, this could be a sign that there will be little competition if you decide to make an offer.

Attending an open house is a great way to begin your house hunt--and while you can attend an open house with or without a real estate agent, having an agent there with you can help you make the most of the experience as well.

To learn more, contact a resource that has homes for sale.