Tips for Touring an Open House

Open houses are a great way to get to know a neighborhood as well as the house you are interested in when you are buying a house. But they are only beneficial if you know what to look at. Here are some tips to make your time at an open house more informative.

The Area

You are not just buying a house; you are buying a location, too. On your way to the open house pay attention to the area. Notice how people drive and what other houses look like. Are there any amenities around, like a park, grocery store or nature area?

Notice the neighbors directly around you, including the ones in the back of the house. If you notice a lot of cars or several dogs barking, remember it may be like that a lot of the time.

Consider how much privacy you have from your neighbors or how much you need. While you can put up a privacy fence, you will want to add that cost into the price of the house. In some neighborhoods, the houses are so close together, that you can't step outside without seeing your neighbor. Make sure you are okay with that before choosing a property.

The House

Now it is time to look at the house. While you often pay more attention to the inside of a home, take time to notice the outside. The exterior of a house can be costly to repair so pay close attention to gutters, shingles and other areas.

Once you go inside, don't just focus on individual rooms, but how they flow together. Does the design of the entire house fit with your lifestyle? Would you mind working in a closed kitchen or do you want it to be open to other areas of the house? Think about how the house suits you today and in the future.

What you smell in a home is as important as what you see. Notice any odd smells in the basement and even the attic. Also, pay attention to any perfumes or home fragrance tools that are being used. They may be covering up something that you don't want to have to deal with, such as pet odors or mustiness.

Carefully notice ceilings and corners. Make sure there are no stains that imply there has been a leak. If you see any, ask about them. The problem may have been taken care of and the area not repainted. You will also want to remember those issues in case you decide you want the house. You will want to look at the inspection report closely.

Consider how much natural light comes in. Don't forget to check closets to ensure you have enough storage space.

While no house is perfect, you want to make sure that the home you love has enough good points and few bad ones that you can see your family living there for the next several years. Contact me and I can help you find the right home for you.