Take Advantage of Open Houses

Entering the home-buying journey can be intimating; however, attending open houses can help comfort some of your fears. Here’s how you can make the most of your open house visits and ease your home search.
Learn the market without committing.
Open houses are open! Anyone is welcome to come see the home, from those who are casually browsing to very serious buyers. No matter what stage of the home-buying process you’re in, an open house can help you get a feel for the market. You are free to browse the home without the pressure of committing, which allows you to learn what you get for your money in that area.
Learn from other buyers.
If you’re an active buyer and interested in the home, keep an eye on your competition and listen to what they have to say. There’s a possibility they may know something about the home that you don’t know, or notice something you haven’t noticed. Also pay attention to their actions. If you see other potential buyers walking in and out quickly, the home probably has some issues. If they’re hanging around, asking questions and discussing things with their spouse or partner, the home is probably a “hot” listing that you’ll have to decide on quickly.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
The listing agent at the open house is a direct line to the seller. Ask questions and pay attention to his or her facial expressions to certain questions. If it’s a competitive market, ask questions like why the seller’s selling and if the home has had a lot of showings. If it’s a slow market, ask things like how long the property has been on the market and how motivated the homeowner is to sell. The agent’s reactions to these questions can reveal a lot.
Know that you might meet your future agent.
An open house isn’t just about seeing your potential future home – it’s also about networking. An open house is a great way to begin a buyer-agent relationship. As a buyer, you get to see the agent in his or her element and get a feel for who he or she is. If you decide the agent is someone you might want to work with, ask questions like what areas he or she covers, how long he or she has been in the business and more.