Spring is in the air, the blooms are blooming, and buyers are house hunting! One of my favourite parts about spring (aside from the weather finally starting to improve, of course!) is that it marks the kickoff for open house season! Spring is an excellent time for buyers to get out and explore the uptick in inventory as the days grow longer, and the temperatures warm up. But if buying a home is your goal, you should make sure that you are prepared before heading to your open houses so you can make the most of your experience. Here are some tips for preparing for an open house… buyers' edition!
Research
It never hurts to preview the listing you're about to look at before attending the open house. This will help you avoid disappointment and potentially waste valuable time and emotions. Buying a home can be very emotional, and before you experience a home firsthand, you will want to make sure it doesn't leave out any of your non-negotiables — or that it doesn't have any all-out deal breakers. Not only that, but you will want to make sure the home is within your budget!
Bring Your Questions
One of the most valuable outcomes of doing some research ahead of time is that you may already have a few questions about the home prepared. One tremendous benefit of attending an open house is that the selling agent will also be onsite to answer your questions in real-time. Sometimes it can be easy to fall in love with the staging and the marketing that you may forget some vital questions. If you tend to forget, jot down your questions and bring them with you.
Bring Your Real Estate Agent
You might be tempted to pop into an open house on your own, but I cannot stress the value of having a second pair of eyes. You will also want to have someone in your corner who will ensure that you are fairly represented, saving you from potential disaster down the line. Your agent will also ask the questions you may not even think to ask, point out red flags, and if the viewing is a stellar success, they will help you put together an offer quickly if needed!
Take Notes!
As I said before, sometimes buying a home can be exciting, scary and undoubtedly emotional. You may need help remembering the nitty-gritty details of your viewings after seeing many homes in a single day. This is also where bringing a real estate agent will help you, but some buyers find so much value in jotting down some pros and cons, their thoughts and feelings on a home, potential renovation ideas, or follow-up questions. All of this can help you make the best decision possible for your family.
Dress Comfortably
If you have a busy weekend of open houses to attend this spring, dress comfortably so you can focus on the task at hand. Comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate attire, and even some sunscreen will ensure that you're able to soak in the information around you without those tight shoes distracting you!
Open houses are fun, exciting and a great way to acquaint yourself with a home and even the surrounding neighbourhood. But if you want to ensure that you set yourself up for a successful open house season, these tips are just a few quick ways that you can make sure that you are prepared.
If you are ready to start the hunt or have any more questions about the open house process, I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at edith@edithdacosta.com to chat about your real estate goals and how I can make them happen for you this year!
Happy house hunting!