Make the Most of an Open House … Tips to share with your buyers!

When it comes to home buying, open houses are a great way to step up your search and gain a better understanding of the housing market in your clients chosen area.  Below are a few advantages of open houses for your home buyer:

Speaking with real estate agents face-to-face

An open house is a great way to meet different real estate agents and ask questions regarding the home, such as its size and features, learn details about the community and find out other important information including school system statistics and property tax figures.  You may also be able to find out information on other homes for sale in the area and the prices of homes that have recently sold.

Encourage your buyer to explore different neighborhoods

Finding the right neighborhood is an important part of buying process.  By seeking out open houses, you can find out:

•·         If the community has any added perks, maybe a pool or exercise facility, or pitfalls, such as high assessment fees.

•·         It's proximity to other venues including the supermarket or the mall.

•·         See how others in the community take care of their homes and property.

Learning about floor plans and features

The more homes you see, the more you discover your client's likes and dislikes in a home.  And, with an open house, the entire family can get involved - allowing you to figure out everyone's preferences and factoring those into the home search.  In the long run, this will help you to find the right home for your client, with the right features for their family.

Comparing prices

By looking at different homes, your client can begin to compare prices and assess what is the best economic fit considering their financial situation.  Different homes in different communities can vary dramatically in price, so learning about the different markets in their area is very important when searching for their perfect home.

Meeting people who live in the community

Neighbors often come to open houses in their community.  This is a great opportunity to meet the individuals that live in the area and find out their thoughts on the neighborhood.  You may also be able to gain some personal information on the home's sellers - how they take care of their home, their eagerness to sell, any defects the home may have, etc.