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Touring Open Houses 101 - 09/08/08
Touring Open Houses 101. As a home buyer, we know you're excited to get our and tour the open houses we provide to you. The agents who host them are also excited to see you and hope that the property is what you're looking for.
Buyers -- it's OK to just be looking. We know most buyers get warmed up for a home purchase by looking at properties when they're not quite ready to even get pre-approved. That is OK. There is no one right way to look for a house.
A few suggestions for you: When entering a property, always announce yourself if you don't see anyone. Trust us, someone is there. A loud "hello" will do the trick. This way no one is surprised by your light footsteps.
If you wish to walk the property alone, simply tell the agent that you're OK and want to see the house yourself, but that you'll say good bye before leaving. And then as a common courtesy, do just that. Always say good bye.
You've seen them; you've run from them...the sign-in book! What to do?
Agents typically get a good percentage of their clients through open houses. Sellers and buyers find good agents by looking at a open house. It's part of what makes the world of real estate go around. They will email or call off the sign-in book to follow up. It's far more courteous and honorable to decline signing in rather than give inaccurate information. If you prefer email only, just say so. But it's better to not sign in than sign in falsely.
An agent won't force you to sign in. You can respectfully decline. Just always remember that they're working for you and ready to help...if not with the property you're in, then with the property of your dreams. They're your friend. Build a relationship that works for you.
Work out an easy enough open house tour that works for your time frame, driving limits and energy levels. We like to think you can do six open houses in a day, but that's a lot! If you've got the time. energy and a bit of gasoline in the tank, try for five. Two in the morning, take a lunch break, then three in the afternoon.
At Open House Genie, we believe it's important for you to take a ton of notes at a property. Maybe even a few digital pictures while you're there. Ask first but it's probably OK. We even secretly rate open houses "1 - 10" when we're there (taking notes) so later we can remember what we saw and what we liked.
Doesn't everyone love an open house? We think so. But we also love the time after your day is done and you can relax and review your beautiful tour day. And maybe plan for the next day's tour!
Good luck and more than anything be prepared to fall in love with a home. Because it can happen. It's happened to us.
Article by Open House Genie
Copyright 2009
Used, copied or quoted with permission only.