Realtor
David Abele has over 35 years of experience in real estate. David Abele works as an agent for ARESI in Minneapolis.
As the real estate industry becomes more advanced and the tools make home-buying more accessible, attending an
open house is still one of the most effective ways to attract prospective buyers. Open houses provide buyers the chance to visit and get a first-hand picture of not only the home but also the neighborhood. When attending an open house, prospective buyers should pay attention to a few factors.
After attending a few open houses, visitors will eventually be able to look for cues that indicate a home is in poor condition. For example, the smell of mildew or the appearance of black spots on the walls might be an indication of mold in the walls. Furthermore, staining on the ceilings or walls could be indicative of a leak somewhere.
Prospective buyers should not only focus their inspection of the home’s interior, but they should spend a few moments checking out the neighborhood. Pay attention to obvious clues such as whether the yards are properly maintained, whether pets roam freely, or whether there are a lot of cars parked in the area.
Before arriving, it is a good idea to come to the open house with a few questions for the agent. First, find out the listing agent’s name. Other questions to ask relate to any problems the home has and whether there have been any prices changes. Also, find out how long the home has been on the market and why the homeowners decided to sell the home.