Real Estate Matters
By Elisa Jo Eagan
Open houses are a great way to find your next home. You can take a peek inside the home, ask the agent some questions…there may even be snacks.
But open houses are not free-for-alls. You are a guest entering a seller’s home and should respect their home and belongings. You also need to consider the agent’s time and effort in setting up the open house. By following some simple rules of open house etiquette, it can be a rewarding experience for all parties involved.
Show up on time
Everyone knows the old saying, “the early bird gets the worm.” But showing up before a scheduled open house time could leave a bad taste in the mouth of the homeowner or agent. If the listed time is from noon to 2 p.m., please avoid showing up at 11:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. Call your agent or the listing agent if you are unable to make the open house to schedule a time that works for you.
Dress the part
An open house isn’t a formal event. However, you don’t want to be too casual, either. Dress like you are there to buy your next home. Think business casual – if this is the right home, leaving a good impression with the agent can make a big impact.
Ring the bell or walk on in?
This could be the first step to buying your dream home, so make sure it is a good one. Every agent will hold an open house slightly differently. But when you arrive, you typically will not have to knock on the door or ring the doorbell unless you are directed to.
Register when you enter
Before you begin your tour, there will be a sign-in sheet. This is an important step in the process.
This is where you will let the agent know if you already have an agent that represents you, or if you would like the agent that is at the home, that is the seller’s agent to assist you as well. It also allows you to provide your contact information to the listing agent clearly.
Mind your feet
Remember: you are going into someone else’s home. Wear shoes that are free from debris and that will not damage any flooring. Please wipe your feet before going inside.
Don’t enter a home and just remove your shoes. This is a little bit too forward. At the same time, be prepared to comply if the owners have rules about wearing shoes inside their home. Wear socks or bring a pair along just in case. The real estate agent may ask you to wear open house booties while walking through the home.
Keep your hands (and opinions) to yourself
When going into an open house, there is a reasonable expectation that you will want to open closets to look at storage space, or check out what the basement looks like. But there are several things that can fall into the going-too-far category. These may include:
- Flipping light switches
- Flushing or using the toilets
- Running faucets
- Sitting down on furniture
- Opening electrical boxes
If this home is for you, there will be a time later in the process when you will be able to take a deeper dive. Also, if you want to take a photo, make sure to ask the agent before doing so. This is still someone’s home and they may prefer you to not take photos or videos of certain things in their home. Being courteous can go a long way.
If the home isn’t for you, wait until you leave to raise any criticisms. You wouldn’t want someone walking through your home and criticizing it.
No kidding around
If you can, find a babysitter for your children, or bring someone along that will help you with them while you are looking at the home. But, in the event that isn’t an option, you should keep your children with you at all times. You don’t know what someone has in their home and the last thing you want is to lose a chance of buying the home due to something one of your children does. It may even be a good option to rotate in and out of the home with your significant other while one of you stays in the car with the kids. Perhaps ask your agent to assist.
Be courteous to other viewers
Open houses can get busy. You will want to make sure that you get a good view of the home. But be aware of other potential buyers. Before entering a room, make sure no one else is there. There is no reason to overcrowd a small space. You can either wait or go to another part of the home.
Interact with the agent
The agent might be at the door when you arrive, or may be in another portion of the home. The agent will give you disclosure documents and details on the home and should be able to answer any questions that you may have. Make sure that you have the agent’s info and business card so that if you have more detailed questions, you are able to reach out, or if you have an agent you are able to share this with them.
Don’t linger too long
Do your due diligence. But if the open house is scheduled for three hours, don’t spend the entire time there. Use your time efficiently: take notes, ask questions and get a feel for the home.
Make sure you make the most of the open house. This is an exciting experience and could be the first step to your next home. Enjoy your home hunting adventure.
For More Real Estate Questions, Information and Advice Contact Elisa Jo Eagan “The Real Estate Godmother” (609)703-0432 and Remember…”There’s No Place Like Owning Your Own Home!”
