Buying a home can be a tough task. If you are planning to visit an open house with the intent of buying it, here are few things that you should keep in mind.
An open house lets you explore every nook and corner of the house before you can buy it. Real estate agents, hired by the seller, put up signs outside the house to attract buyers. This is a convenient option for people who want to examine a house before they can close the deal. Apart from this, you also get to interact with the owner directly and negotiate a price. But, there is more to an open house than meets the eye. This article will guide you through some salient points that you should remember whenever you plan to visit an open house.
1.Explore the Entire House Carefully
You may like a house just by looking at it. But, remember that the house has been staged for buyers. You must investigate the interiors of the house carefully. Don’t feel awkward if you have to ask questions about the house to the owner or the real estate agent. Often, a lot of other people will also be visiting in the house at the same time as you. As a result, you may miss out some intricate details of the house.
Check the entire area of the house including bedrooms, bathrooms, wine cellar, kitchen, laundry rooms, and passageways. There might be some flaws that the owner will try to hide. Therefore, bring your measuring tape, camera, and any other equipment, which will help you in assessing the house.
2. Look Past the Staging
When someone is trying to sell their house to you, it is obvious that they will highlight the best aspects of their house. Don’t be blinded by posh furniture, expensive-looking kitchen appliances, or plush rugs. Remember to look under the rug! Often, these elaborate decorations are done to hide major flaws in the house.
Keep your eyes open for cracks in the ceiling, wall, or floor. Check if the appliances are working and if they are within their warranty period. Also, ask your real estate agent why the owner is moving out of the house. You can always ask the real estate agent to arrange a personal tour of the house, just for you. This way you will be able to check everything easily without other people hovering around.
3.Keep Your Eyes And Ears Open
The advantage of examining an open house with a lot of other people is that you learn about their opinion. They will be able to find flaws in the house, which you might have missed. You can also discuss the prospects of the house with them. Even though they are your competitors in the bidding, you can utilize this opportunity to know important details of the house and its surroundings. This will help you in arriving at a decision.
4. Find Out About Your Neighbors
It is very important that you find out about the neighborhood you are going to reside in. You should take some time to explore the neighborhood, especially the properties adjacent to your house. Also, you should go around the area and find out if the locality has basic civic amenities like schools, hospitals, supermarkets, and other facilities that you need.
If you are visiting the open house during the day, it is possible that you might not be able to understand your neighbors, as everyone would be out for work. Visit the area during the evening to get clarity about the community surrounding the house.
5. Get the House Verified by a Legal Expert
Let’s assume that you liked the house and you want to close the deal as soon as possible. However, have you thought about the mortgage or insurance claims on the house? You shouldn’t move into a house, which is under litigation. This will increase legal hassles for you.
You have to ask the real estate agent to provide all legal details of the house. But, sometimes real estate agents may hide some details from you. Therefore, the best thing you can do is to hire a legal expert. He/she will be able to examine the property and also furnish important information about the house from the registrar office. This will ensure that you know everything about the property. It will give you peace of mind and also save you a lot of money.
Visiting an open house is probably the best way to buy your dream home. But, before you go about exploring such a property, keep these tips in mind so that you can get the best value for your money.
Author Bio:
PravithaRohit is working as a content strategist at commonfloor.com. She enjoys writing informative blogs, articles, and reviews. She likes to think of her writing as an online resource; helping end-users answer questions, while guiding others in the direction they seek.