You may be a bit wary of going to an open house, particularly if you are a potential buyer and don’t relish the though of a real estate agent breathing down your neck. The fact is, not all realtors are “pushy,” and visiting North Texas open houses is the best way for buyers in the area to learn the market and get a feel for various homes. How can you make the most of your open house visits?
Subtly observe other buyers. While at an open house, you can tell a lot about whether a home may have issues by watching other potential buyers. Are most of them hanging around, talking with the realtor and asking questions, or do most seem to be in and out quickly? How other buyers act could indicate there are issues with the home, or that it is a “hot” buy.
Question the listing agent. An open house is the ideal time to “drill” the agent about the home. How old is it, and how long has it been on the market? Why is the owner selling? Are there any major issues with the home? You can tell a lot about a home by the answers you get, and watching the agent’s reaction to your questions.
At its most basic, open houses let you learn about the market even before you decide to buy. Attending several open houses in the North Texas area lets you get a feel for what’s out there in terms of styles, sizes, price, and more. You may not be that serious about buying yet, but you can get a real feel for the market – and build a solid relationship with an agent who can help you down the road. Online tools and mobile apps also help potential buyers who aren’t ready to commit to learn a lot about the process.
You may meet your future agent. Where better to observe how a real estate agent conducts business than at an open house? Because open houses are generally an informal setting, buyers who attend get to see the agents in their true element, something than can’t be said for most other industries. By talking with the agent and watching him/her interact with other potential buyers, you may decide the agent is a good fit for your future real estate needs!
Open houses have been around for what seems like forever, and there are plenty of reasons they’re just as popular today. As a buyer, be sure you take advantage of open house opportunities!
At Team Nelson, our Dallas realtors understand that there is much more to buying a home that just picking one out! We know the importance of buyers being educated, and that visiting open houses is just one way to learn more about the market. Give us a call today for all of your real estate needs.