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You will be asked to sign in. People have a right to know who is in their house, and the listing agent will probably want a chance to work with you.
There are no requirements for just looking though. You can get a good idea of what you can get for your money, and what features you want, or don't want.
I am starting to look at homes; however, i won't be ready until late spring to early summer.
Is it too early to start looking at open houses?
Can I look at open houses without prequal?
What should I look for while attending open houses?
Do the people conducting open houses ask you any questions or nag you?
What should I avoid?
Not at all.
Yes.
Features, floor plan, surroundings, location.
Yes, some do. And, some don't.
Spilling personal financial information or details that could be used as leverage against you in future negotiations. You may bump into the agent on the other side of a transaction when you ARE ready to buy, and if they are good, they will recall your open house meeting.
Just to add to MJ's #3, take notes on what you like and don't like about each property. Eventually you will formulate a "wants and needs" list that will help you later when you are describing to your agent what you want and don't want.
Are there really that many open houses anymore? Compared with 20 years ago, I'd guess not. Because people can get an idea using photos on the MLS? I'd guess so.
Are there really that many open houses anymore? Compared with 20 years ago, I'd guess not. Because people can get an idea using photos on the MLS? I'd guess so.
Not sure compared to 20 years ago, i'd assume people showing open houses has declined due to web, mobile devices, etc; however, it might be used as a connections tool for real estate people? Not sure..
The reason why I want to attend open houses is to get myself familiar with touring properties and looking out for key items so i am "ready" and have the "eyes" for when I am ready to work with a agent on purchasing a house.
Yes there are still open houses, depending on market.
I make a practice of visiting EVERY open house in my own neighborhood, just to keep an idea of what my own house is worth. I've never been asked to sign in. Sometimes I say I'm just looking, other times I admit I'm from up the street.
Yes of course it's a good idea to visit open houses in the area you contemplate buying in. More knowledge is always useful. If you have the time just drop in. That is why it is called an open house.
Are there really that many open houses anymore? Compared with 20 years ago, I'd guess not. Because people can get an idea using photos on the MLS? I'd guess so.
They are not as common, but far from uncommon.
Some sellers still see value in them.
Many buyers track open houses for viewing opportunities.
And, many agents will still push you out of your house on a weekend so they can try to scrape up a couple of leads for future business.
Quite a few of the "Coming Soon" listings go Active for open house, just to promote the idea that buyers get a fair shot at them.
Yes there are still open houses, depending on market.
I make a practice of visiting EVERY open house in my own neighborhood, just to keep an idea of what my own house is worth. I've never been asked to sign in. Sometimes I say I'm just looking, other times I admit I'm from up the street.
Yes of course it's a good idea to visit open houses in the area you contemplate buying in. More knowledge is always useful. If you have the time just drop in. That is why it is called an open house.
My realtor calls them "lookie loos" and refuses to do open houses because all they attract are the neighbors. Anyone truly interested in buying will have an agent and make an appt.
you don't HAVE to get prequalified, but it's in YOUR best interest to do so. It's of the greatest value to you to go to open houses in your price range (include those 10% above your comfortable payment range), because that will help you become an informed consumer and get some idea of what type of home you can expect to get when it's your time.
It will also help you see which neighborhoods have homes in your price range, and then decide which of those neighborhoods you like. Doesn't do you any good to look at neighborhoods where homes are 20% above your budget, since the chances you'll eventually buy in that neighborhood are slim.
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