Open houses are one of the best ways to learn a market, and one of the easiest ways to waste a Sunday. A little planning makes each visit count.
Plan by neighborhood
EastLake is a family of neighborhoods, each with its own feel. Group your visits by area so you can compare like with like and spend less time driving. The Open House Showcase page helps you see what is happening where.
Decide what you are testing
Before you go, pick two or three questions for the weekend: how a layout lives, how a lot feels or how an association's amenities compare. A focus keeps you from getting lost in staging.
Look past the staging
Furniture and decor are temporary. Notice light, room sizes, storage, condition of finishes and how the floor plan flows.
Check the neighborhood on the way in and out
Note the street, the nearest amenities and how it feels to arrive and leave. You will do it every day.
Ask a few good questions
- How long has the home been on the market, and has the price changed?
- What are the association dues, and what do they cover?
- Are there any special taxes or assessments?
- What updates have been made, and when?
Take notes and photos
Jot down what you liked and did not like right away. By the fourth house, it is hard to remember the first.
Go back for a second look
If a home makes your shortlist, visit again at a different time of day, ideally with your agent, before you decide.
Rudy can help you compare homes and choose the ones worth seeing.