Open Houses provide home buyers a great opportunity to view a home in a casual environment while giving insight into the house and helping home buyers make decisions about the home.
However, open houses don’t necessary give you all the information you need.
If you attend an open house and decide that you’d like to investigate the home further, consider the following details about the home that you don’t want to miss:
Cosmetic Issues
When a seller hosts an open house, the home is presented at its best. Usually, the home will be professionally staged and things like permanent carpet stains, scuffs on the floor, and other flaws may be covered or hidden. If you attend an open house and like the home, talk to your agent about an additional viewing of the home after the open house has closed. You will want to view the home without the homeowners or their agent around. This will give you more freedom to check for cosmetic issues in the house that may have been hidden during the open house.
Structural Issues
Look for any cracks in the ceilings and walls as well as uneven sloping when you attend an open house. If you see any, this can indicate structural issues. A home inspection can identify potential structural issues that can become a big problem once you purchase a home. If you want to make an offer on a home, make it contingent on an inspection – no matter how new the property is.
The Neighborhood
Open houses are always held at the prime time of day and may not always reflect what the neighborhood and streets are like at other times. Make sure you drive through the area after dark to get an idea of what the community is like during those times. Also, don’t be afraid to knock on some of your potential neighbors’ doors to inquire about the neighborhood and community.