Open houses real estate (foreclosure, condo, neighborhoods)

[sunshinewi]

We will be in cape for the month of March. We own a home, but thinking of upgrading. We do like our home, but may prefer a different neighborhood. If I remember correctly from our search several years ago, open houses weren't popular there like they are up north. Has that changed now that homes are selling again? Since we are just in the thinking stage, we don't want to take up a realtors time by asking them to show us houses. We can look at neighborhoods, but really need to see the inside to see how they compare. Last time we looked, the interior sometimes did not look anywhere as nice as the pics. We were looking in 150,000 range several years ago, lots of abandoned homes, lots of variance in upkeep. Suggestions? Can open houses be found?

[GrouperK]

Very good question, I am also wondering this.

[jnpittman9]

There are open houses going on every weekend and during busy season you will see a lot more of them. Im not sure compared to up north, but look for you signs for open house on the weekends. Some agents will list open houses time in the MLS and some will not. The foreclosure market has really dried up due to less defaults but you will always come across your fixer uppers. Good Luck on your search!

[AXEL276]

jnpittman9, what do you consider the "busy season"?

[Angelala]

Yes I believe this is considered busy season and there are tons of open houses all weekend and some even during the week.

[sunshinewi]

Where do I find listings for these open houses? I am signed up on some Mls site, listing book I think, and it rarely gives me an open house. You would think if they wanted people to come they would list open houses or advertise somewhere, particularly during snowbird season. Are these mainly people selling their own homes?
Thanks for the replies.

[Corvette Ministries]

Try Realtor dot com. Then select Open House in the criteria.

[PonceDeLeon]

Open houses are becoming a bit fewer in number. Open houses rarely cause a house to sell, and Realtors realize that, so they are holding fewer open houses. With a few exceptions, open houses mostly get curious neighbors, tire kickers, or people just trying to "get a feel for the area". As sunshinewi indicated, he/she is in the thinking stage and doesn't want to use a Realtors time. In other words,, he/she is not ready to buy yet. Nothing wrong with that, but that is the majority of open house attendees ... people with no intention of buying yet. Realtors realize this, and rather do something else with their weekends. Think of it as having to go into your office (or whatever job you work) on the weekend, and the boss has no intention of paying you for your time. You will see the point of view that many Realtors have taken.


On occasion, a Realtor will hold an open house hoping to get a client who might buy a another house in the future (such as sunshinewi), so Realtors do still have open houses.. Just not as much as in the past, and much fewer now than before the internet age.

[1insider]

Originally Posted by PonceDeLeon

Open houses are becoming a bit fewer in number. Open houses rarely cause a house to sell, and Realtors realize that, so they are holding fewer open houses. With a few exceptions, open houses mostly get curious neighbors, tire kickers, or people just trying to "get a feel for the area". As sunshinewi indicated, he/she is in the thinking stage and doesn't want to use a Realtors time. In other words,, he/she is not ready to buy yet. Nothing wrong with that, but that is the majority of open house attendees ... people with no intention of buying yet. Realtors realize this, and rather do something else with their weekends. Think of it as having to go into your office (or whatever job you work) on the weekend, and the boss has no intention of paying you for your time. You will see the point of view that many Realtors have taken.


On occasion, a Realtor will hold an open house hoping to get a client who might buy a another house in the future (such as sunshinewi), so Realtors do still have open houses.. Just not as much as in the past, and much fewer now than before the internet age.

I respectfully disagree. I have personally sold three properties at open houses. One of those I only had one visitor at the open house and he wound up buying the place. Those tire kickers and nosy neighbors may have friends or relatives who are looking to buy close to their friend/relative. I have a million dollar plus condo under contract right now to the sister of someone who attended an open house at the unit. Sellers are only looking for one buyer and shouldn't avoid open houses because they "rarely" produce a buyer.

[GrouperK]

Makes sense