4 Things to Pay Attention to When Visiting an Open House

However, regardless of your age, career plans, or financial wherewithal, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the many benefits that come with homeownership. 

These include: 

• It allows you to build equity
• Greater stability and emotional security 
• More control over your living space 
• Ability to put down roots in a community 
• Homeowners can enjoy great tax benefits 
• Owning a home can stabilize your budget 

Top Tip:  Visiting an open house is important because it will give you a full picture of the home, as well as the neighbourhood, and help you make the best decision for you and your family. 

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As a first-time homebuyer, finding a perfect fit can be a daunting task, but we are here to help! Exceeding our clients’ expectations is the norm with our Calgary realtors. We are the top realtor team with Calgary’s RE/MAX Central Office — the world’s top-producing single RE/MAX office for 20 years in a row (based on closed transactions) — we go above and beyond your expectations to help you find a beautiful place to call home. 

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4 Things to Look for When Touring an Open House 

Whether you are planning to buy a house in the near future, or you just want to get some ideas for when you eventually decide to start seriously house hunting, visiting open houses can be a fun and useful way to learn more about what you like in a property. 

Here are some of the things to look out for when you are touring an open home:

1. The Neighbourhood

When you are looking at potential new homes, you must remember that you are not just buying a house, you are investing in a neighbourhood. During your visit, make sure to pay attention to certain aspects, including:

• Your neighbours
• The condition of the other homes in the area
• Access to important amenities
• Traffic speeds

Remember, when you are buying a new home, you are also buying and becoming a part of the whole neighbourhood around it. A truly great neighbourhood is one that is in sync with your current lifestyle and that caters to your and your family’s specific needs. 

TOP CONSIDERATIONS TO MAKE WHEN BUYING A HOME
 

2. The Home’s Exterior 

One of the most important things you can do when you go to an open house is to take a walk around the entire perimeter of the home because the condition of the exterior could be a tell-tale sign of what you’ll find inside. 

Here are some of the main exterior components you should be sure to check out: 

• Roof: A new roof can be very expensive, so you want to look for any signs of damage. You may also want to ask how old the roof is, although a well-maintained, sturdy roof can last for several decades, depending on the material it’s made of.
• Foundation: Foundation issues can also prove to be a huge expense, so you want to keep an eye out for any cracks in the walls (especially around doorways and windows). You should also take note of any doors or windows that stick or jam.
• Siding: Check out the exterior walls for any signs of damage or disrepair. Look for peeling paint, rotting wood, or other signs of decay.

Your main line of defence against buying a home with a deteriorating exterior will be your home inspection, but it’s still a good idea to keep an eye out for red flags with a trusted realtor. 

3 REASONS WHY IT’S ALWAYS BEST TO WORK WITH A REALTOR WHEN BUYING A HOME
 

3. The Layout 

You want to pay special attention to the layout of the house and determine whether or not it works for your lifestyle. For example, a family with young children would most likely want a home with their bedroom on the same floor as their children, but if you have teenagers, you could want to be on the other side of the house or even a different floor! 

While the overall flow of the house is important, having space dedicated to specific and important parts of your life — like a home office, for example — is equally important. 

4. Upgrades 

Upgrades are a huge factor to keep in mind when you are looking at an open house. Keep in mind that it is a lot easier (and cheaper) to re-paint the walls or replace cabinet hardware than it is to rework the floor plan of the house. 

Ask yourself: 

• Are the rooms big enough? Do you have enough storage space?
• Will the property require any renovations or repairs to get it to the standard you want?
• Does the house have everything you want, as well as everything you need?

While touring an open house, always keep in mind that while cosmetic upgrades can be easily done at a relatively low cost, major upgrades, such as renovations or re-designing the floor plan, can quickly add up in cost. 

We Make Finding Your Dream Home Easy and Simple 

Finding the perfect new home for your family can be challenging, but working with a top realtor will ensure that you are protected and will save you a lot of frustration, time, and money. To learn more about how our team can help you find your dream home at the best price, contact us at (403) 284-6333 or fill in our contact form.