If you are toying with the idea of jumping into the market, either as a buyer or seller, Open Houses can provide a wealth of information – most importantly, the type of information that you cannot get from the Internet. This Sunday, April 25, is Frank Howard Allen’s Open House Extravaganza and hundreds of our listings throughout the North Bay will be open to tour. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, looking for a potential agent or just curious about the market, here are some things you can learn this weekend:
For Buyers
If you are a “potential, somewhat skeptic, maybe yes, maybe no” buyer, you most likely want to assess the homes in your price range to find out if there’s anything that even appeals to you. (This is sometimes called the “I don’t want to waste your time” stage, and we recognize that it really is the “I don’t want to be bugged by a real estate agent” stage.) When at this stage, public Open Houses allow you the freedom to check out specific homes and neighborhoods, become familiar with comparable sales, and learn what your money can buy.
During this process, you will also learn about yourself and what you really want in a home. Most buyers don’t end up with everything on their wish list; the more homes you visit, the easier the task of deciding what you can and cannot live without. It’s very difficult to do this without hitting the road.
If you have not yet chosen an agent to work with, Open Houses are an ideal place to interview for one. It’s important to find someone who is a good match for you, whether the criteria is personality, expertise, presentation or a combination of all three. Visiting an Open House allows you to observe agents in action and find the right fit.
The buying process can have many false starts, so if you meet an agent that you are impressed with but find that you need to put the brakes on the process, keep in touch. He/she will be able to provide you with updates so when you do get back into the market you are not beginning at square one.
For Sellers
If you are considering selling your home, the first order of business is to check out the other homes for sale in your neighborhood. It’s vital to know what your competition is because when it’s time to set your asking price, your agent will include these homes in the “Comparative Market Analysis,” the report that is used to determine where the market places the value of your home. It’s to your advantage if you have actually seen the homes yourself.
Another reason why it benefits you as potential sellers to visit Opens is that you can quickly learn how homes should – and shouldn’t – be presented when they are placed for sale. First impressions are the most important and you will want to “showboat” your house for prospective buyers.
Looking for an Agent? 
If you have not selected an agent to sell your home, visiting Open Houses can teach you a great deal about agents and the service they provide. Ask yourself these questions when you go:
Was the agent enthusiastic about the house or did it seem like he/she was just marking time till the open house was over?
How did the agent engage with the public? If you were a buyer, would you feel comfortable asking him/her questions about the property?
Try to gauge the agent’s market knowledge: is he/she experienced in selling properties in your neighborhood?
Was the agent effective in getting the house ready for public viewing? How about the agent’s attention to detail?
Are you impressed with the quality of the agent’s marketing materials?
Did the agent seem genuinely interested in you?
The final question to ask yourself would be: Based on this person’s performance, is this someone you would want to represent you and your interests?
Buyers and sellers, we’re glad to see you out and about at Open Houses and we hope to see you this Sunday.
Posted by:
Noreen Smith
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