As mortgage interest rates start to stabilize, many prospective buyers have resumed the hunt for homes. If you’re one of them, chances are you’ve started checking out open houses or have plans to do so in the near future.
But before you get too far in the house hunt, it’s good to know what you should — and should not — be doing as a buyer at an open house.
GOBankingRates spoke with two Realtors, Sebastian Frey and Jennifer Ferland, about the top things buyers should always do at open houses. Here’s what they said.
Introduce Yourself (and Your Agent)
Buyers should always introduce themselves to the agent hosting the open house, said Frey, a Realtor/broker associate at Compass and owner of the YouTube channel Seb Frey TV. “And let them know the name of the Realtor [you] are working with,” he added.
Ferland, another Realtor at Compass, added how important it is to introduce yourself and make a good impression on the listing agent.
“If you end up submitting an offer,” she said, “you’ll want to make a good impression on the listing agent — especially if there’s competition — so they remember you and can advocate for your offer.”
Pay Attention To Other Buyers
Whenever you go to an open house, pay attention to any other potential buyers there. This can give you a better idea of how much competition you might have. Plus, you never know what their conversations might reveal about the home or the neighborhood.
“Note how much buyer activity there is at the open house,” Frey said. “Eavesdrop (discreetly) on whatever conversations the agent hosting the open house is having with other buyers.”
Learn About the Current or Previous Owners
You can find out about a home’s current or previous owners by checking with the Register of Deeds office, city hall or your county tax assessor’s office. But it’s also a good idea to ask the host of the open house about the current owner.
“Ask how long the owners have lived there,” Ferland said. “Long-term ownership can be a good sign for the quality of the house, while a shorter turnover may be a reason to look out for red flags.”
Ask About Any Current Offers
Whether or not you’re thinking about making an offer of your own, it’s still important to gauge the competition by asking about any current offers on the home.
“Ask the agent hosting the open house if there are any offers in on the property and if there is a deadline to submit offers by,” Frey said.
Just because a property already has an offer — or 10 — doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still toss your own hat into the ring. And knowing about any existing deadlines can give you a better idea of whether the timeline works for you. If it doesn’t, or if you feel there’s too much competition, it might be a sign that you should look elsewhere.
Ask About Major Issues
“Ask the agent hosting the open house if there is a disclosure package available or if there are any significant issues with the home,” Frey said.
But don’t leave it at that. Take your time looking for any obvious signs of structural — or other — major damages to the home.
“Scan the walls and ceilings for cracks, especially around doors and windows,” Frey said, “and note any warping or sloping of the floors, as any of these may indicate structural issues.”
Turn Off the Lights
Ferland suggested turning off the lights in various rooms of the house to get a better idea of what you’re getting in terms of natural lighting.
“Lights are typically turned on during open houses to show it at its best and brightest,” Ferland said. “Shutting them off is a good way to test the home’s potential for natural light.”
But be respectful about it. If somebody is already in the room trying to look at things, either wait until they leave or ask if they mind you briefly shutting off the lights. And be sure to turn them back on when you’re done.
Take Photos
You should ask permission before doing this, but if the open house host gives the go-ahead, take some pictures of the place as you go. This is especially helpful if you go during a busy time, such as on the weekend.
“Weekends of open houses can be a marathon,” Ferland said. “If you come across a home that might be a contender, make sure to take pictures and notes to jog your memory when you get home.”
Check the Water Pressure
Like lighting, knowing what the water pressure is like is key to ensuring you make the right decision about making an offer or walking away.
“Go ahead, turn on that shower — just give the agent a heads-up first,” Ferland said. “There’s nothing worse than finding out your shower is nothing more than a drizzle on the first night in your new home.”
What Not To Do at Open Houses
Just as there are some things you should always do at an open house as a potential buyer, there are a few things you shouldn’t do. Here are some of the big ones:
- Bring your dog inside. “Don’t bring your dog inside. Or, if you do, make sure to hold it,” Ferland said. “Prepping a home for sale includes refinishing floors, replacing carpets and deep cleaning. While everyone may love your pet, the best etiquette is to leave them outside the front door.”
- Say you’re going to make an offer. Frey advised against talking about what kind of an offer you’d make on the property. You can indicate interest, but providing too much information could hurt future negotiations.
- Arrive at the end. “Open houses usually have generous time slots. Arriving late just as the agent is turning off all the lights prevents them from getting to their next destination on time,” Ferland said. “It’s most courteous to give yourself enough time to walk through the house before the agent starts to wrap up.”
- Disclose your qualifications. Avoid telling the agent hosting the open house about your qualifications or motivations, Frey said. This also could potentially hurt your prospects.
- Touch or move any staging or personal items. “Whether personal or staged, picking up or moving items in the home can cause damage or unnecessary stress to the owners or agent trying to showcase the home,” Ferland said.
- Speak poorly about the property. “Never say bad things about the property that anyone might overhear, especially the agent hosting the open house,” Frey said.
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