Open houses are a key part of the home-buying process. But when you’re visiting an open house, what should you look for? And how can you make the most of your time at an open house so you can find the home that’s right for you?
In this article, we’ll look at what an open house is, what to expect, and how to make the most of open houses as a potential home buyer.
What is an Open House?
You may be familiar with the term “open house”, but let’s start by defining what an open house actually is. An open house is an event where the real estate agent and the homeowner invite the general public to view the property. Anyone is welcome to stop by, walk through the house, and ask questions. Open houses usually last around 1-3 hours, and here on the North Shore of Chicago, open houses typically take place on Sunday afternoons. During an open house, the seller’s agent is available to answer questions, point out features of the house, and take the contact info of interested buyers.
As a potential buyer, open houses are an important step in the home-buying process. Visiting an open house gives you the opportunity to see properties in person rather than just online. While looking at online listings can give you a good idea of a house, there are some things you just can’t get from a virtual tour. Open houses give you that chance to see properties in person and make a decision about whether the house is the right fit for you.
What to Expect at an Open House
Most open houses take place on weekends, and a few days prior, you’ll start to see which houses will be open. You can contact your agent or look online yourself to plan your open house visits accordingly. When the day comes to visit an open house, here are a few tips to help you know what to expect:
Park on the street: When you arrive at the house, we recommend parking on the street rather than in the driveway. If you do park in the driveway, you could get parked in by others attending the open house.
Go inside: Once you park, you are welcome to walk inside whenever you’re ready! The house is open to anyone who wants to tour, and you don’t need to ring the doorbell or wait for anyone to invite you inside. Just walk on in!
Take your shoes off: Be prepared to take your shoes off or put on booties. Shoes track mud, water, snow, and dirt into the house, so it’s important to respect the space and either take your shoes off or wear the provided booties.
Greet the agent: The seller’s agent will be at the open house, and when you enter, be ready to greet the agent and sign in. You can put your own name down, or if you’re working with an agent, you can write your agent’s name instead.
Now that you know what to expect, what should you look for when touring an open house?
What to Look for at an Open House: 4 Ways to Maximize Your Visit
When you visit an open house, you’re taking in a lot of data. You have to weigh it all. Here are 4 ways to maximize your time at an open house so that you can truly find out if it’s the home for you.
1. Get a feel for the home
When you visit an open house, take it all in and see what it feels like to experience the space. Pay attention to things like natural light, room sizes, ceiling height, and the overall flow of the house. Don’t get hung up on the seller’s furniture, paint colors, or artwork. Instead, focus on how the house makes you feel.
2. Imagine using spaces that are important to you
Think about the areas where you spend the most time in your own home. When touring a house, can you imagine your family using that space? Can you envision preparing a meal in the kitchen with the kids playing nearby? When you’re entertaining, can you imagine throwing a summer bbq on that back patio?
Laundry rooms and mud rooms are also important areas that are often overlooked. Does the laundry room feel comfortable and usable? Can you envision entering the mudroom and using it to drop your shoes, coats, and keys? When you’re touring an open house, really pay attention to whether these important spaces might work for you.
3. See the space from different angles
When you’re looking at a house online, you’re seeing it through the lens of the listing photos. The problem is, when you live in a house, you don’t stand in the corner of the room. So when you tour a house, make sure to walk around both the indoor and outdoor spaces to see everything from different angles. And be sure to seek out spaces that aren’t included in the listing photos, like mechanical rooms and closets.
4. Think about how you’ll enter the home
Here’s a fun fact: most people don’t actually enter through the front door of their home. But when you go to an open house, you are entering through the front. So when touring a house, think about how you would enter the house on a daily basis. How does that flow feel to you? Is there a natural place for you to do things like take your coat off when you get inside? Thinking about entering and exiting the home will give you a more realistic sense of how you will actually use the space.
Finding the House that’s Right for You
Finding the right house is a process, and not every home is going to fit what you’re looking for. That’s why it’s important to see as many houses as possible. That way, you’re not necessarily comparing a house to your list of requirements but rather comparing it to something else that’s on the market. And in time, you’ll find the one that’s right for you.
Open Houses on the North Shore
We’re a husband and wife real estate team dedicated to serving the North Shore suburbs of Chicago. If you have any questions about open houses or the home-buying process, we’d love to help. Check out our Guide for Home Buyers and then get in touch!
