Many people enjoy attending Open Houses on weekends before buying a home. This article will discuss what you need to be aware of when visiting an Open House without your own agent.

First, for houses that interest you, start by browsing the home’s layout online, including the number of living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Websites like Redfin or Zillow offer 3D Tours, allowing you to take a virtual walkthrough. However, remember that these 3D tours are still photos, which are often professionally edited. So, a virtual tour doesn’t offer the same experience as seeing the house in person. It’s helpful to note down areas you want to focus on during the Open House, such as checking the lighting in the living room and bedrooms if that’s important to you. This way, you can pay special attention to aspects you couldn’t fully assess in the virtual tour.

When attending an Open House, I recommend focusing on the following three aspects:

1. Confirm your points of interest: Bring your list of areas to focus on from your virtual tour and verify them in person.

2. Inspect the property: - Exterior: Check for cracks in the exterior walls and mold in the corners. - Interior: Look for popcorn ceilings, freshly painted walls (which might be hiding mold), evenness of the floors, water leakage under sinks or toilets, and the presence of a chimney for the kitchen range hood. I provide a detailed checklist for my clients; interested readers can download it here。

3. Observe other potential buyers: Note the number of people attending, their level of interest, whether they are asking the listing agent questions, and if they are repeatedly checking certain areas of the house.

After following these steps, you’ll have a good understanding of the house and the interest level of other potential buyers. Before leaving, ask the listing agent any questions you have to gain a deeper insight into the property.

Here are some questions you might consider asking:

1. When was the house built, and what renovations have been done?

2. Do the sunroom/bathroom/living room additions have permits?

3. Is there an HOA (Homeowners Association)?

4. What restrictions and service obligations does the HOA have for residents?

5. Are there any rental restrictions from the HOA?

6. How are the neighbors?

7. What’s the noise level like in the surrounding area?

8. Why is the seller selling the house?

9. How long has the seller lived in the house?

10. Is the seller looking to close quickly, or are they waiting for a better offer?

By discussing these questions with the listing agent, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of the property, helping you decide whether to make an offer.