Attend Open Houses Like a Pro
Attending an open house can be a bit overwhelming at first, especially if it’s crowded and hectic. But if you can take the following advice, you’ll be ahead of the pack and gain some great insights.
The Surroundings
Clearly, the focus on at an open house is, well, the house, as it should be. But there’s more to a home than just the structure itself. You should remember to make note of the neighborhood as a whole, the condition of nearby homes, the traffic, etc. Another major factor should be the distance and commute times to the school your kid(s) (present or future) would attend, as well as your place of work, and places you’ll frequent like the grocery store, restaurants, etc.
The Exterior of The Home
The exterior of any home will tell you a lot. Things like staging can distract from issues inside, but if you take a quick stroll around the house, you should get a good idea of how well the current occupants have cared for it. Will you need to paint soon? Does it look like the roof hasn’t had any work in a while? Any of these variables will be good to know and should factor into your decision.
Get Some Inside Info
From time to time, open houses will attract homeowners from down the street. Perhaps they’re wondering what their house could sell for in the future or maybe they’re just a bit nosy. Either way, if you hear someone mention that they live down the street, it might be a good idea to introduce yourself and get an insider’s perspective on what the neighborhood is really like.
Storage Space
Obviously, most people know that they should check out the closet space in a home, but not all storage lands in the closet. An attic space, especially spacious walk-in closet, or outdoor storage space could be a huge plus, especially if you’re downsizing a bit. Storage space is like the number of cupholders in a car, you don’t realize how much you need until it’s too late.