An open house is an excellent opportunity for home buyers to evaluate a home. They may be less stressful than regular showings, but you mustn't assume anything is allowed. There are do's and don'ts to follow. Here are a few tips to help make a good impression when you decide to visit an open house.
Before visiting an open house, it's a good idea to dress appropriately. A recent post from Homes talks about why you should dress to impress in an open house.
Dress Appropriately
The summer real estate market is about to heat up and with plenty of competition expected among buyers, it is more important than ever to make a good first impression when attending an open house for a home you’re interested in buying. After all, the broker will notice how you present yourself and act when touring the home;
When you are visiting an open house, you should dress appropriately. You don’t want to wear anything too revealing or clothes that are torn, stained, or otherwise damaged. A clean and neat appearance is always recommended. Via homes.com
In a market like ours, it's easy to get carried away with the advantage you have as a buyer. Since you're still visiting someone else's house, it's important to create a neat appearance for yourself.
Next in our list is that you should be on your best behavior. A new post from Blue Water Mortgage Corporations explains:
Be on Your Best Behavior
Attending an Open House in search of a new home is a lot like playing a game of chess—it involves an incredible amount of strategy and foresight, the likes of which most prospective homebuyers don’t even realize.
This goes without saying, but always be sure to be polite and cordial to the host of the Open House. Even if you don’t like dealing with real estate agents, do your best to act appropriately while viewing the house. In a competitive market, sellers can be choosy, especially when there are multiple strong offers, so it is important that you give a good impression. h/t bluewatermtg.com
Simple things like asking permission go a long way. The open house allows unfettered access, so it's wise not to jeopardize that.
Be polite and respectful to the owners!
Lastly, avoid small talk, as it can be detrimental. A recent post from My Sarasota Homes discusses why this is a crucial factor in an open house:
Don't just make small talk
When you take a weekend or day to tour open homes, you should do so not just to look, but to gather useful information. That will help you to make a good decision when you put-in a purchase offer.
Small talk is nice to break the ice, but that's about it. Politely ask pointed questions, after all, that's why you're in the home in the first place. Ask about the history of the home and any other questions that come to mind.
This is the main reason why you're in an open house in the first place: to know more about the house. Small talk is good for building trust, but asking questions such as the history of the house is very important. This is the chance to get to know more about the house and hopefully, get all your questions answered by the seller.