Buying a home whether you’re doing it for the very first time or you’ve done it plenty of times before, can be a very stressful and daunting experience. To try and make the process as smooth and as enjoyable as possible, the team here at Ray White Bayside real estate put their heads together to come up with some tips to help you navigate the experience that is the Open House.
Before actually deciding which Open Houses to attend, do some research into the suburbs you are considering! Everyone has their own opinion and it may not necessarily align with yours, so make sure you undertake the suburb research yourself. Have a think about what you want to be near or easily accessible, whether it be schools, shops, public transport, your work place or children’s daycare. A great tip would be to grab a coffee or have a meal in the area to get the feel for the suburb.
Once you’ve decided the suburbs you want to go ahead and consider, it’s time to check out these tips regarding the Open House experience:
• Consider the less impressive aspects of the home: We’re talking here about whether the property requires work, or if there are small awkward spaces that might be taking up room. Can the issues be overcome or will they be a problem?
• Look beyond any clutter or ugly colour schemes: We all know how uninviting clutter and unfashionable colour schemes can be in a house or apartment, so when checking out a property, try and look beyond these easy-to-fix distractions. Does the home have potential to you and can you deal with these things?
• Be polite: Sometimes the owner or tenant of the property may be present at the time of the Open House, so always ensure you conduct yourself in a polite manner. Do not touch personal belongings or move any items. You can look in wardrobes, absolutely, but opening any drawers or cupboards that are not a fixture of the home are a no-no. Do not use the toilet either! If it’s absolutely urgent, always do the right thing and ask first.
• Ask questions: The agent hosting the Open House may have an assistant with them to help during the inspection, so do not hesitate to ask questions. No question is too silly to ask, so don’t be shy. It’s always a good idea to write questions down as you inspect the home, in case the agent or assistant aren’t following you around.
At Ray White Bayside real estate we listen to what you want in a home, and at no time will ever try to sell you a property you won’t be happy with later down the track. We ask for your honesty when looking to purchase your home and we will give you our 100% honesty in return. We thrive and are commended on our customer service skills and we look forward to meeting you and helping you to find your perfect home.