The Importance of Attending a Real Estate Agency's Open House

June 12,2018 | By Hillel Realty Group

The Importance of Attending a Real Estate Agency’s Open House

With the rise of the Internet and real estate listings readily available online, you may think there is no need to attend open houses. But, contrary to belief, there is still a considerable amount of value to be gained from attending a real estate agency’s open house. While online pictures look appealing, they don’t always tug at your heartstrings.  Seeing a house firsthand helps you gain clarity and visualize your new life and home.

Here are six reasons why you need to attend an open house this weekend.

  1. Decide what you like

You may already have a vision of what your new home will include- maybe it’s a three-bedroom walk-up in the Bronx, a four-bedroom townhouse in Brooklyn, or a smaller apartment in Manhattan. Without knowing what your vision looks and feels like, you may start your home-buying journey on the wrong path. By attending an open house, you can visit multiple types of properties and see first-hand what the energy is like, which will make explaining your wants to a real estate agent easier.

  1. Find the ideal agent

You may be ready to start looking for a new home, but not know where to start in finding a reputable real estate agent. Attending open houses gives you the chance to scout potential realtors in New York while checking out which homes appeal most to you. While visiting the open houses, start a conversation with the agent instead of trying to avoid them. Even if the apartment or townhouse doesn’t match your needs, you may find the perfect agent match.

  1. See what types of homes are in your price range

One of the best decisions you can make when it comes time to buy a new home, is to get a pre-approved mortgage. Once you know this, you can start scouting places in this price range. Seeing what you can afford as opposed to what you wish you can will help you narrow down your must-haves and wants to a realistic list.

  1. Decide how quickly to act

If you attend an open house at a home you are genuinely interested in; you can gauge how fast you need to submit your offer based on the number of other visitors. If there is light foot traffic, you may have more time to discuss, debate, and settle on an offer you are comfortable with than if there is heavy foot traffic.

  1. Take a walk in the neighborhood

Just because a home meets your expectations, doesn’t mean the neighborhood will. Attending an open house is prime opportunity to take a leisurely walk through the neighborhood. You can tell almost instantly if it is too quiet (or loud), if there are other young families, or if it has enough grassy areas for your four-legged family member.

  1. Get inside tips on how to stage your home

Unless you are a first-time home buyer or are currently renting, you will need to list your existing home for sale before finalizing your new home purchase. Checking out open houses is a great way to see what methods other homeowners are using to make their home more appealing to buyers. Make sure you take notes of room staging, decor, and lighting, so you can set your home up for success.

If you’re ready to make a move, visit one of our upcoming open houses or contact the experienced team at Hillel Realty group today.