When you're house hunting for a new place for your family, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement. You'll probably find many open house events around the Seattle area. A house in your price range is hard to skip when it's available for potential buyers, and the house will look amazing.
However, an open house can be a trap designed to make you overlook things you might otherwise notice if you're touring the home alone. This makes it essential that you know what to look for and don't miss any potential reasons to pass on the house or submit an offer immediately.
Shannon Campbell, a premier real estate agent, works in the market for Bryant real estate, Laurelhurst real estate, and more. She has put together this guide to help you look for all the things you might not know at an open house.
Overlook the staging to see any damage or neglect
Staging turns a home into a showplace that directs potential buyers to see its best features. It's an excellent tool for sellers and real estate agents to generate interest and get offers.
During an open house, you need to take the time to look past the staging to locate any damage or signs of neglect. It might be mold in the corner of a walk-in shower or water stains in the bottom of the cabinet under the sink.
You can turn it into a competition with your significant other to try and find potential problem areas. There might be only minor issues, but it's essential to know that, too, especially when touring vintage homes in the market for Bryant real estate. Of course, you might see minor problems and decide to make an offer anyway.
Peek in the closets and cabinets
When you're touring an open house, it's easy to get swept along by the crowd, but you want to ensure the home has plenty of storage space. Take the time to open the closets and cabinets.
If the home has been staged, the owners have probably removed many items to give closets and cabinets the appearance of being larger than they are. If it's a walk-in closet, try to pace out how large it is, and you should picture your items in the space.
It's also a good idea to bring a tape measure and calculate the space in closets and cabinets.
Moving is a great time to get rid of unwanted items, but you don't want to find yourself getting rid of stuff because there isn't room.
Meet the neighbors
When you buy a home, you probably intend to live there for at least a few years, and your neighbors can make life easier or more difficult. You should check out the neighboring properties when you arrive at the open house.
Take note of the condition of the neighboring homes and yards. When you go out back, look at the properties behind the house. If you have children, you might be looking for signs of other children close by.
If you're considering making an offer on the home, go for a walk. You want to get a feel for the neighborhood and general vibe. If there are any neighbors outside, stop and talk to them. They can offer great insight into the community.
Open and close the doors
All the doors will be open when you go to an open house. However, it's a good idea to close them and reopen them. You're looking for any doors that stick or don't shut all the way. This can be a sign of problems with the home's foundation.
You want to know before making an offer if a home has foundation issues. You might also look at the cabinets attached to walls to ensure they're flush and not pulling away (including countertops).
Another potential sign of foundation issues is small cracks in the drywall. While there might not be a problem with the home's foundation, it's a good idea to keep an eye out for any issues.
Bring your real estate agent
If you're already working with a real estate agent, you should bring them along. Whether you’re looking at houses or condos for sale in Bryant, they can act as a buffer between you, the seller's agent, and any hard sell pitches. Your realtor can also help you identify the pros and cons of the home.
Your real estate agents can get you answers to questions quickly, such as the school district and yearly property taxes. Also, if you decide to place an offer for the home, you don't want to wait until you can contact your agent.
Find out if there have been price changes
Home prices go up and down, and sometimes, a seller lists a home for a price and then lowers it after it's been on the market for a few weeks or months. There are pros and cons if the home's price has been lowered.
If the price has gone down since it was initially listed, it shows the seller is flexible on their pricing. They might entertain a lower offer from you. However, it might also be a sign that there's a problem with the home.
There may already have been an offer on the home, but the inspection turned up a problem with it that scared the original buyer off. If you've brought your real estate agent with you, they can find out about any price changes and the reasons for them.
Take note of natural light versus artificial light
It's a sure bet that a home conducting an open house will be awash in light. However, there's a difference between natural and artificial light; you need to take stock of how much natural light the home has.
As you walk into each room, take note of the lights that are on. It might be a combination of overhead light fixtures and lamps. You should look at the artificial light sources to try and determine how much space it's lighting up.
You can't turn off the lights, but you can gauge how much artificial light there is if you're paying attention to it. Depending on the time of day, you can estimate how much natural light comes in during the day.
Check out other potential buyers
Most open house events draw many people. Some are people who simply want to take a peek, while others are serious potential buyers. You can usually tell the difference between the two groups, but don't be afraid to talk to the other people viewing the home.
If you think this might be the home for your family, you want to know if you will have competition when you make an offer. This potential competition can also help to shape your offer.
For instance, you might make the best possible offer if you think other bidders exist. Otherwise, you might try for a compromise with a lower offer.
Determine how much privacy you'll have
As you walk from one room to the next, take a moment to look out the windows. Do you see trees, a fence, or the neighbor's master bedroom? While you might be okay with another home close to yours, it's good to understand how much privacy the home offers.
Curtains and blinds offer privacy, but if you love natural light, you want to know you still have privacy when you throw open the windows. Of course, if you love the home and there's space, you can always add a fence or plant trees to add to your privacy.
Investigate the outdoor space
During an open house, you spend a lot of your time looking at the interior living space, but it's beneficial to take a few minutes and check out the outdoor space. Remember, once you move into a home, you're responsible for the yard and outdoor space.
You might want a larger outdoor space if you have children or entertain outdoors. You might prefer a smaller outdoor space that requires less time to keep tidy. An outdoor kitchen might need repairs soon, or there might be water features you would want to remove.
Choose a realtor who can help you navigate the current real estate market
Open houses are designed to generate interest in a property and get an offer or two on the home. The agent in the home might offer a high-pressure sales pitch, or you might see a crowded home with other prospective buyers and worry about missing out. The house might be perfect, but you need to look closer.
Shannon Campbell can help you find the right home for you and your family. Whether you want to go to an open house or look at condos for sale in Bryant, she's dedicated to meeting your needs. Shannon and her team can pair you with the ideal home. Take the first step and reach out to her today.