How to Make the Most of Your Open House Experience

If you’re buying a home, the decisions you have to make and the options presented to you can be overwhelming. All of the open houes and showings start to blend together in your mind. So many people come in and out of open houses and you’re just trying to get a grasp on the home. Check out these tips to make the most of your open house and relieve some of the stress of the experience.

1. Do your research before the open house

Get familiar with the home and the area before the open house. Find the listing online and check out the house’s buy/sell history. Maybe even take a drive through the neighborhood and see if it’s a good fit.

2. Make a list

After you’ve done some research, make a list of questions you have about the property and the must-haves in your new home. That way you will know exactly what to look for when you get to the open house.

3. Get to the open house early

Open houses can get busy quickly. Try to get there early and beat the crowd. You never know how long you will want to scope out the house and you don’t want to have to wait in line to talk to a real estate agent. Getting there early will ensure you have as much time as necessary in the home.

4. Take pictures

When you’re walking through a prospective house for the first time, your bran doesn’t have time to fully process everything. Take pictures of your favorite (and not-so-favorite) features. In doing this you’re basically making a visual pros and cons list.

5. Bring a notebook

Take all the pictures you need, but write down specific questions too. The real estate agent or homeowners will mot likely not be following you through the home answering your questions. Write them down as you walk through and then run through them with the open house host once you’re finished.

6. Decompress

The temptation after an open house may be to simply go home and forget about it for a while. Or on the other side of the spectrum, you may be tempted to make a snap decision because you just fell in love with that home. Find a happy medium. Take some time to go over your notes and discuss your options, but don’t make an offer or rule it out completely until you’ve had some time to really dive into the logistics.


Attending open houses is a daunting task. But by being prepared and following these tips, you can make the most out of your open house experience. You may even find it exciting! We definitely do at Keystone!