For some people, visiting opening houses is a hobby, whether or not they are in the market or planning on buying a home soon. Others only check out open houses when they think it's likely they'll put in an offer soon. If you're considering buying a custom home in Fort Wayne or New Haven, Indiana, it can make sense to check out a few open houses first so that you can see what's available and what a custom home looks like in real life.
There are a few things you can do to prepare for an open house and to help prepare yourself for a successful homebuying experience overall.
Come Prepared
Before you visit an open house, it helps to know what you're looking for in your new home. That can include having an idea of your budget and the maximum price you can afford as well as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you need and the amenities you want the most.
It can be a good idea to get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start visiting open houses. That way, if you see a house you like, you can make an offer and will look like a more promising or qualified buyer to the seller.
There are a few things you should bring to the open house, especially if you'll be looking at more than one over the course of the day. Bring along a tape measure so you can get an accurate sense of how big each room is. Measuring the home is particularly useful if you own any oversized or unusually sized furniture.
Also bring a notebook so you can jot down your thoughts and feelings about the home, including what stood out to you or what you didn't like. By the end of the day, the houses you saw might have started to blend together, making it difficult to remember which home had the kitchen you really liked.
Along the same lines, it's a good idea to bring a camera with you so you can take pictures of the interior of the home. A camera can be especially useful if you see the house on a cloudy day, as most of the photos used in real estate listings are taken on days when the house looks it best.
Ask Questions
The open house is a chance for you to get to know more about the market, more about the process of buying a custom home, and more about the agent. Make up a list of questions to ask before you go and make sure you ask them during your tour of the house.
For example, you might want to ask about the neighborhood the house is located in. What amenities are nearby and how friendly are the neighbors? If you're looking at a model home for a custom home builder, ask what amenities are available and how you'll be able to customize the house to meet your needs.
Lancia Homes has been a custom home builder in Fort Wayne and New Haven, Indiana since 1975. We have several model homes available for you to tour. Learn more about our homes for sale and contact us today to see a list of our open houses.
