10 Open House Tips From Two Guys Who Just Bought Their First Homes
Two Boston.com staffers who each recently purchased their first homes share what they learned from attending plenty of open houses.
In this special section, we consulted a wide array of experts from various sectors of the real estate market — and these two guys — for their advice on making the homebuying and selling process go as smoothly as possible. Sanjay Salomon, content producer for Boston.com’s digital marketplaces, purchased his Waltham townhouse in January. Joe DeFranceschi, a Boston.com product manager, recently closed on a condominium in Jamaica Plain. They share their experiences and what they learned from the open house front lines. We also made a checklist of things to look out for at an open house. You can print it out and bring it with you.
Prioritize
Before you go to an open house, create a list of features and amenities that are important to you and mark them as “Negotiable’’ and “Non-negotiable.’’ It’s impossible to find a perfect property so “compromise’’ is the name of the game. Setting expectations for yourself, especially if there is more than one person involved in the home-buying process, will lead to smarter long-term decisions when it comes to assessing whether an open house is a good fit for you.
— Joe
Let there be light (and height)
Consider which direction the house faces and where the sunlight is going to come in. If the master bedroom has a window facing east, remember the sun will greet you first thing in the morning. On the other hand, it’s also important to ask yourself if you can stand living without sunlight. A few years ago, I looked at a garden level condo which had very small windows that allowed little to no natural light into the home. In addition, the property had very low ceilings which gave the home a confined feeling. Don’t underestimate how important sunlight and space impact your everyday mood.
— Sanjay
Eavesdrop and make conversation
Your fellow home shoppers can prove to be a valuable resource at an open house. They may know something about the neighborhood or building that you don’t, so keep your ears perked to their conversations amongst themselves and with the listing agent. Some polite conversation may even tip their hand about whether they plan on making an offer which can inform your next move if you are considering making an offer yourself.
— Joe
Think about the layout
Remember, you don’t have to love the paint or the wallpaper that comes with the home. Once the property is yours you’ll have the freedom to make all the cosmetic changes you want. But during the open house itself, it’s important to ask yourself where your stuff will go once you’re moved in. Can you picture your furniture fitting comfortably in the space? Where do you want to hang your pictures? This can help you imagine settling your life into this home. If you can’t do it easily, then maybe the home is not for you.
— Sanjay
Can you waive the home inspection contingency?
During my house hunt I learned about some extreme measures that buyers will take in order to make their offer more appealing in some of the area’s hottest markets. One strategy that is appealing to sellers, but risky to the potential buyer, is to waive the home inspection contingency of an offer. An agent informed me that, although I made the highest offer on a home, the sellers accepted a lower offer that waived a home inspection contingency. If you can stomach this level of risk, take a look for structural or water damage, inspect key plumbing and electrical elements and, if you’re looking at a condo and are feeling adventurous, try to speak with others in the building to learn the results of the most recent home inspection. I must advise you to fully understand the risks before taking this step, but it will certainly improve your offer in the eyes of the seller.
— Joe
Meet your potential neighbors
If you get a chance, talk to a neighbor and ask how they like living there. The neighbors can offer you an insightful picture of the community’s makeup and might be able to tell you about the schools, restaurants, and shops in the neighborhood. It’s also a good idea to walk around the area near the home to find out the location of the closest convenience store, mailbox, public transportation options, parks, and other necessities.
— Sanjay
Don’t fall in love at an open house
Buying a home is a highly emotional decision. Sometimes a home just speaks to you and it can be easy to get carried away in imagining yourself enjoying your morning coffee on the deck. For many reasons, don’t fall in love with a home at an open house. It’s not yours yet and you are setting yourself up for disappointment. As emotional as the decision is, there are also important rational factors that may be clouded over if you get too misty-eyed over the property.
— Joe
Listen for traffic noises
If you’re looking to buy in a city, consider how much noise from traffic, buses, and the T you will have to endure if you buy the home. Last year, when my then-fiancee (now my wife) and I were looking at a place that was right on a city street, we paused and waited to see how much of a nuisance the outdoor traffic noise would be. If the home has newer windows and walls, it might be able to soften the traffic noises. Stand still and measure how much traffic passes by. If the home is located near a T or commuter rail line, wait for a train to pass through. You don’t want to find out how noisy the area is after you’ve moved into your new home.
— Sanjay
Take a second look
Many properties host open houses on both Saturday and Sunday with offers due on the following Monday or Tuesday. If you can, try to schedule your open house visits on Saturday so that, if you love a place, you can go back on Sunday for a second look. Maybe you want to bring someone for a second opinion or just see it again after sleeping on it, but you at least have the option if you go on Saturday.
— Joe
Sleep on it
So you’ve seen a place and you liked it the layout, the price, and the neighborhood. But there’s something holding you back from making an offer. What is it? Consider what you really think about the place before you make a commitment.
When I was conducting my own house hunt last year, I saw a condo in a four-story building that had a few medical businesses in the ground floor lobby. At first, I was impressed with the home’s condition, price, and the condo fee. But as we stepped back, I thought about sharing a home with a medical business, the safety of the garage, and what a hassle the commute would be every morning and night. Don’t forget to take a step back and really think about what you’re getting.
— Sanjay
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Read more on the fall house hunt.
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