Anne Winch Ottawa Real Estate and Staging Team Answers Your Question on:
As a first-time home buyer, what tips do you have when viewing an open house?
If this is your first time looking for a home you may not be sure what type of house you want or what questions to ask. Here are some tips that may help you when viewing open houses:
Don’t just look and leave
If you are serious about purchasing a home, an open house is the best opportunity to answer any questions you may have about the house you are viewing. If you have looked at the house on-line, prepare a few questions you may have about the house. For example, when is the closing date? Any renovations made? Taxes and utilities costs? Go though a few open houses to help you decide on the features you want or need in your home. This is also a good learning experience to understand real estate pricing too.
Take your time
Have a look at each room carefully. Are the room sizes appropriate for your needs? Is there enough storage? While you are looking around you may wish to check for any water damage, mold or uneven floors. While you are getting a feel for the house can you see your family or yourself living there? If so, mark this house as one you want to view again. If you are seeing multiple houses in one day it is best to make notes on each house so you remember which ones you want to see again.
Look for red flags
If you notice a lot of little things that have not fixed for example, leaky faucets, faded paint, the exterior is unkept, etc. All these factors may give you the red flag that other home maintenance has also been put to the wayside. This may lead to ongoing maintenance or other problems you will have to do if you intend to purchase this home. Pride of ownership can be seen with re-caulked windows, furnace maintenance and copies of renovations that have been done.
Check out the neighbourhood
If you work shift work and your neighbours are a very active family with children or a vocal pet, you might want to know this ahead of time. Check out the neighbourhood at different times during the day to get an idea if you need a quieter neighbourhood or one that is more family oriented.
Find a competent real estate team
You might think because you are buying a home that you don’t need a real estate agent. Remember the agent at the open house is also working for their client. Our Anne Winch Real Estate and Staging Team will be working for you and answer any questions or concerns you may have on any of your viewings. We can find out how long the house has been on the market, price changes and if there are any offers or interest on the property. We can also find out why the house is being sold and feedback from other real estate agents and their clients.
We hope that we have helped you with some tips as a first-time buyer. Don’t hesitate to contact our team and we can also get a list of homes we think you may be interested in viewing according to your suggestions to us. It is really a benefit to have a real estate team work for you. Give us a call, email or text and find out how we can help you find your first home.