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Planning on Visiting Some Open Houses This Weekend? Then Make it Worth Your Time!

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Above & Beyond

Although the effectiveness of open houses has long been debated, buyers still attend them. As a buyer, you may want to consider some of the following.

*Before you step into your first open house, you should still be pre-approved. Too often, I think, buyers feel that they only need to be pre-approved when they start "seriously" looking for a home. Not true. The great majority of buyers that I meet at an open house have not spoken to a lender. If you have not spoken to a lender, you don't know what you can afford, and then you are simply wasting your time at an open house.

*Research the house. I know that may sound odd, but with all the internet tools available it's easy to do just that. You can find a satellite view of the house to see if there is something you like or don't like about the location, check the distance to your work and so much more. With mls access, you can check room sizes, attached garages, lot size. etc..

*Know the price! I know this sounds obvious, but so many buyers walk into my open house without knowing the price. I am always amazed at this question.

*If you have more specific questions, call the realtor who is having the open house. I generally have my open houses advertised on line no later than Thursday before the open house so buyers have plenty of time to call me and ask questions.

*Don't sign in with a fake name and number. I, like you, appreciate honesty, and if you tell me you are working with an agent, I will respect that and tell you that it's fine, because my goal is to sell the house for the seller. I do not turn buyers away. Let me repeat that. I do not turn buyers away! And I will not contact you if you tell me you are working with an agent.

*Please respect a seller's request to remove your shoes. Often times the flooring is brand new and no one would appreciate stains on brand new flooring.

MY BEST TIP: Start your home search by working with an experienced agent and save your weekends for the fun stuff!

If you would like to buy or sell a home in Brecksville Ohio or in the surrounding communities, please call me at 440-263-7496, or you may want to visit my website for more specific information on the communities I service: Brecksville Ohio Real Estate, Broadview Heights Ohio Real Estate, North Royalton Ohio Real Estate Independence Ohio Real Estate, Seven Hills Ohio Real Estate, Parma Ohio Real EstateParma Heights Ohio Real Estate and Middleburg Heights Ohio Real Estate.  Information is obtained from Neohrex and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Comments(4)

Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Barb, this is great advice!  Before I got my license, I did give fake names and numbers because a lot of agents were just stalkers!  Now I am very careful about how I use information people give me.

May 13, 2009 01:28 AM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Thanks Pat, I want people to know that I am not a stalker and that I will respect their privacy and choice of agent.

May 13, 2009 01:33 AM
Dan and Amy Schuman
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Solon, OH
Luxury Home Specialists

Hi Barb, thanks for the very informative post. I think it is nice when people give real names and are up front. Buyers need to remember that most of us agents holding our homes open are good hard-working people just like them and we're just doing our job by getting people to sign in. Open houses are much more enjoyable and productive when buyers are armed with the proper information and pre-approved up front.

May 13, 2009 07:31 AM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Dan, I could not agree more..we don't bite!

May 13, 2009 07:53 AM