Ryan Boyer Realtor Keller Williams San Diego Be an expert at open houses

SAN DIEGO - Oct. 26, 2019 - PRLog -- How to Be a Savvy Open House Guest

By: HouseLogic

Getting smart — about what to do, ask, and avoid — can move you ahead of the crowd.

Ah, the open house — a chance to wander through other people's homes and imagine yourself knocking out walls and gut rehabbing their kitchens. This is what dreams are made of (or at least episodes of HGTV).

In all seriousness, going to open houses (and scheduled private showings) is one of the most exciting parts of the home-buying experience. Beyond the voyeuristic thrill, visiting houses allows you to assess things that you just can't see online.

Anyone who has taken a super-posed selfie knows that a picture doesn't always tell the whole truth. Professional listing photos can make small rooms look spacious, make dim rooms bright, and mask other flaws of a home — but you don't know any of that until you actually see the house yourself.

You can tour houses at any point, but it can be helpful to first discuss your needs and wants with your partner (if you have one), do some online research, and talk with your agent and your lender. That way, you — and your agent — can take a targeted approach, which saves you time and can give you an edge over your buying competition.

So, before you start viewing, follow these tips to get prepared.

Make It Your Job to Know Which Houses Are "Open"

There are four ways to know when a house is available for viewing:

• Ask your agent. He or she will have details on specific properties and can keep you informed of open houses that fit your criteria.
• Use listing websites. A number of property sites let you search active listings for upcoming open houses. On realtor.com®, for instance, when searching for properties, scroll over the "Buy" tab and click the "Open Houses" link to see upcoming ones in your area.
• Scroll social media. On Instagram, for example, you can search the hashtag #openhouse, or similar tags for your city (#openhousedallas, for example), to discover open houses. Many real estate agents and brokerages also post open house announcements on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter; find ones from your area and start following.
• Drive around. Cruise through the neighborhoods you're interested in — it's a good way to get a sense of the area amenities — and look for open house signs.


Ryan Boyer Keller Williams San Diego Realtor
http://www.kwsold.me