Effective Open House Visits

You’ve finally decided to begin searching for your next home, so you begin by visiting open houses.  You focus on the neighborhood, back yard, floor plan and interior finishes. You are drawn to the pretty home that is nicely staged. Agents know this and coach their clients on how to best present their home for viewing.    To view these homes subjectively you must know how to look past the fluff!  A good buyer’s agent will point out things that you may not initially notice.

Start with the exterior.  Stand at the street and take a good look at the house from top to bottom.  Look at the roof line.  Does it sag?  Are the roofing materials in good condition?  If the roof is concrete or metal do you see any broken tiles or displaced sections of metal?  If the roof is asphalt shingles, are the worn or curling?  If the exterior walls are siding, are cracks, swelling or wear noticeable?  Do the wood fascia boards or trim show signs of wood rot or carpenter bee damage?

Look at the land the house sits on.  Does it slope towards or away from the house?  Are the walkways cracked or displaced creating a trip hazard?  Is the vegetation close to the house and is it well-maintained?  Do the plants and trees look healthy?  Is there any standing water or moist soil?

Does the house have gutters?  Are they full of debris.  Do the gutters terminate at the base of the house, or is the water directed away?

If there is an exterior deck, is the wood in good condition?  Are the support beams large enough, and does the under floor bracing seem adequate?

Once inside, check out the interior ceiling, walls and floors.  Do you notice any cracking?  Do you see any suspicious stains or textures on the ceiling where leaks may have occurred?  When you walk on the floors do you notice any sloping or creaking?

In areas where plumbing is present (kitchens, bathrooms) do you note any cracks in the fixtures or floor of the showers or tub? Are the fixtures in good condition (no drips or corrosion noted) and in bathrooms is the ventilation good?

Look at the furnace, heat pumps and water heaters.  Is the equipment newer?  Are these cabinets clean and free of odors, dust and stains?

Look at the windows and sliders and glass panels in doors. Are they newer and easy to open?  Are there any hairline cracks or fogging in the glass?

Look inside the basement and/or crawl space.  It there staining on the walls which may indicate water intrusion?  Any signs of microbial growth?

If there is any slope in the back yard, are there signs of erosion? Is there a drainage and sprinkler system?  Where would the water go if and when it does rain?  If there is a pool, is the surface in good condition?  Is the equipment newer and well maintained?

Taking a good objective look at a house can either help you identify potential problem homes or single out well-maintained homes that may simply need some cosmetic updating.   Though we are not home inspectors, a well-trained agent brings this skill to the table and can assist in structuring your offer to match the condition of the home.