Open House Tips for Canton Home Buyers

The spring housing market is upon us and open houses are plentiful.  

While an Open House can be a great vehicle to see a house without much commitment, Buyers still need to make sure their interests are protected in the event they want to move forward.

Buyers should prepare themselves before attending an Open House and so I have put together some Open House Tips for Buyers.

• Get a mortgage preapproval before looking. If you fall in love with that house, you want to be able to move quickly. I know you think you are "just looking" but you never know when you might find the right one.

• Find a buyer agent to work with to protect your interests. The tips below help to underscore why it is so important to have a buyer agent.

• Disclose to the agent holding the Open House if you are working with a buyer agent or if you intend to work with a buyer agent. Usually there is a sign-in sheet and there is a place to fill in that information. It is only fair to the agent at the Open House to let them know you already have representation.

• Ask your buyer agent to meet you at the Open House (that negates the need for the tip above!). Your buyer agent is trained to look for details you may miss and to provide expertise on pricing, location and value so do not discount the value of having another set of eyes with you at the Open House.

• If you are really "just looking" and do not have a buyer agent yet, disclose to the listing agent that you are going to be working with a buyer agent. There is no harm in checking off the box that you have a buyer agent and not filling in the name in contact information. You have the right to your own representation and it is only fair to disclose to the listing agent your intentions up front. The agent at the open house is there not only to sell the house....but to also meet future clients.  Just remember that agent at the open house represents the Seller.  

• Try not to make too many comments about how much you love the house or that you think the price is a bargain or disclosing any personal information. Remember that the agent at the Open House works for the Seller and has a fiduciary duty only to the Seller. If you end up making an offer on this house, the seller's agent now has some information to use to his/her client's advantage. After all, the seller's agent is there to represent the Seller, not you, the buyer.

• If you find you want to make an offer, having your buyer agent by your side will put you in the position of making an offer that is written in the buyer's best interests. This will be much easier if you have a buyer agent before attending that Open House!

Happy Househunting!

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About the Author: Christine Smith is a Realtor, Buyer's Agent, Attorney, Social media fan, parent and Canton resident.  She writes about real estate and events in the Canton area on her blog – Canton MA Events and Real Estate.