Taking time to tour open houses can be both very productive and informative. It gives you a chance to see inside somebody else’s home in a different way: as a product on the market. If you’re going to an open house, chances are you are in search of buying your property. That is why it is important to select which properties you will be visiting carefully. You don’t want to overload yourself with hundreds of tours where you’re not getting information and getting too many different ideas in your head. Creating an itinerary that outlines your wants, needs and must-haves can help you narrow down which houses to visit. Whether you’re arranging these visits yourself or through an agent, you want to be prepared with all the right questions that will give you a general overview of the house you’re looking at.
Even though realtors have the MLS to pull information regarding properties for sale, it can’t answer all the questions a buyer has. You need to ask questions that pertain to your specific criteria. Knowledge makes for a smart decision. It is very important to know what questions to ask when you’re visiting an open house. The following is a list of simple-natured questions that can help you uncover many unknown factors that are not always visible to the naked eye.
Take Notes at an Open House
When you first arrive at an open house, take a moment to do a 360° observation of the immediate area. This will help you think of questions to ask once you’re talking to the seller. Be prepared to write down questions and refer back to them when the time comes. Don’t be afraid to do two tours. The first is when you just observe quietly and jot down notes and ideas, then you can go to the seller with all the questions you’ve come up with. It helps to observe everything twice to avoid missing any details.
Questions for the Property Owner
Naturally, you will come up with your own set of questions regarding your personal needs. But some people overlook asking basic questions about the home itself or what it is like to live in it. This includes asking about average utility costs, for example. Here are some suggested questions to keep in mind when visiting an open house:
- Ask about the utilities in a typical billing year. You have to add this expense into your budget to accurately know what your monthly expenses will be.
- Another expense to ask about is the HOA community fee. This might be billed monthly, quarterly or annually.
- Make sure you ask what is included in the HOA fee, if applicable.
- Ask the current owner when the home was last inspected and if it has undergone any major repairs over the last year.
- When touring an open house, ask the attending agent or the owner what is included in the asking price – if anything. Sometimes, owners leave stuff behind such as appliances, dish washer and some furniture.
- Don’t be afraid to ask why the current owner is selling. The answer could give way to other questions (especially if it has to do with functionality).
- Depending on what you will be using the property for, find out if this home is a rental or residence. If it is a rental, make sure to ask for the rent-rolls (past rental records), ask about previous tenants, repairs, damages and potential.
Make Your Own List
If you’re working with a real estate agent, make sure they also do some digging on the property beforehand so you come armed with the right questions to the open house. It is highly recommended to be prepared with a pen and paper to make sure you write everything down. If you’re serious about a home, even ask for measurements and other things so you can start picturing your life there. You can do a list of likes, needs and must-haves and check it off as you go. That way, you will be able to see if a home has everything you must have, whereas it only has things that you like. It makes a great difference.
For further questions about attending open houses in the Riviera Maya or finding your dream home, make sure to contact us. We’ve got thousands of listings ready for you to visit and our expert Buyer’s Representatives can help you in asking all the right questions.
And remember, at Top Mexico Real Estate…we make it happen!