The spring open house season is here. If you’re a prospective buyer, it can be an exciting time to tour houses that could be where you and your family create happy memories. Open houses provide a convenient means to shop in your targeted neighborhoods and possibly discover some new neighborhoods you’d never explored before.

In last week’s blog post, we shared with you some tips on hosting an open house. But, for homebuyers, it’s also important to be prepared, so you’ll get the most out of your visit. This week’s blog discusses a few things to consider before attending open houses.

Tips for Home Buyers

Ask questions and take notes. Deciding what you don’t like is often as important as deciding what you like. Visiting open houses and taking notes can help you get educated to narrow your preferences and choices.

Look within your price point. Limit your search to homes that are within your budget. It’s tempting to look at more expensive homes, but it’s time consuming and can be disappointing to fall in love with a home you can’t afford.

Get lender pre-approval. Set yourself apart from the competition by getting a lender pre-approval letter, so that if you find a home you want to buy at an open house, you’ll be ready to make an offer.

Check the storage space.  Having ample storage space to fit your needs and lifestyle is a crucial part of buying a home, but can easily be overlooked when attending an open house. Open closet doors, storage rooms and kitchen cabinets to ensure these areas are adequate for your needs.

Determine age of mechanicals. Inquire about the age of the HVAC, water heater and kitchen appliances.  Finding out when appliances and systems were last replaced can prevent large expense surprises later.

If you are planning to buy a home this spring, your real estate agent can help with providing additional tips for attending open houses as a way to find the perfect home for you and your family.