Open Houses: An Open Opportunity for Every Home Buyer

Are you in the market for a new home, but you’re not sure of exactly what you’re looking for? Maybe you’re ready to start browsing homes, but don’t yet have a real estate agent and don’t know where to find one you can trust. Perhaps you’ve found the home of your dreams, but are wondering if the price is right.

These may seem like three different scenarios for today’s home buyer, but there is one valuable tool in today’s real estate market that could help in all three situations… an open house. Yes, attending an open house has the potential to solve all three buyer problems.

In fact, many buyers may not immediately think of an open house as the answer to their home-buying woes; but, going to an open house, even to a home that a buyer may not be head-over-heels for, can be a great help during any home search.

If you’re still not convinced that an open house could help in your home search, here are 10 reasons you may want to add “attend an open house” to your home-buying bucket list:

1. No appointment is necessary. Most open houses are day-long events, so, unlike scheduling an appointment to tour through a home you find listed, there is no need to find a random time that can accommodate your schedule, along with your agent’s and a seller’s. With an open house, you’re free to stop by whenever your schedule allows.

2. You can stay as long as you like. Just like you don’t need to make an appointment to attend an open house, you don’t need to hurry through an open house either. Now, you’re not going to linger all day, but a generous length of time has been slated for prospective buyers to browse through a home during an open house. Buyers do not need to worry about getting out before the sellers get home.

3. There is no need to knock. Real estate agents host open houses, but the house is just that… open. So, when you arrive, you can feel free to walk in and start looking around. The agent likely will ask all prospective buyers to sign in at some point, but you can feel free to get right into seeing the home when you walk through the front door.

4. You don’t need to bring an agent. Whether you’ve already committed to a real estate agent or not, there is no need to bring your agent to an open house. You are free to show up by yourself and view the home at your leisure. If you haven’t already signed on with an agent, you may just meet a great agent, who you are compatible with, while you’re at the open house.

5. Open houses are pressure-free. There is absolutely no pressure when it comes to viewing a home during an open house. You can simply walk through the home, even if you’re not seriously in the market for a new home and you’re just curious as to what it looks like inside. In many cases, neighbors even stop by for a peek.

6. They’re an easy way to check out the neighborhood. Because neighbors are often curious and stop by an open house just to take a look, they can be great places to find out more about a certain neighborhood. If a buyer is interested in the particular home, great; but, even if they’re not, they may get a valuable look at the neighborhood by stopping in, looking around and having a chat. 

7. They can help to set your expectations. It is perfectly fine to walk into an open house with no expectations as to what you might find. Actually, you can let the open house help you set your expectations for your home search. For someone who is just starting to look at homes, attending open houses is a great way to get familiar with homes that are available and to figure out what’s on their “must have” list.

8. They’re great for comparisons. A buyer who is close to making a decision on a home can still benefit from attending an open house. If the home they are close to reaching a decision on is in the same neighborhood or price range, attending an open house can help them determine that they’re making the right decision. It’s an easy way to compare home features and ensure they’re getting the most for their money.

9. There is no commitment after attending. We really can’t stress the “hassle-free” aspect of an open house enough. Attending is a no-strings-attached way to take a look at an available home. Sure, if you’re interested in the home, you can easily follow-up or have the listing agent contact you. But, there is no pressure. So, if you’re just getting comfortable with the real estate market, open houses are the perfect way to get started.

10. They’re fun! The icing on the cake with an open house can actually be… the icing on the cake! Typically, the relaxed atmosphere at an open house also includes light refreshments. So, you’ve got a great home, good conversation with a friendly agent and neighbors that are happy to chat and free food and drink? Sounds like a win-win situation for everyone involved!

Stop by an upcoming Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty open house for a fun, convenient look at an available home. One of our experienced real estate agents will be happy to help you today.