Plan before you go
Review the listing thoroughly the night before. Look at the photos critically — what is the listing trying to hide? Look at the floor plan if there is one. Map out the route and the surrounding streets. Plan to spend 30-45 minutes per home, not 10.
Walk the whole property — including the boring parts
Most open house visitors spend their time in the kitchen and the master bedroom. Smart buyers also look at the basement, the attic crawl space (if accessible), the electrical panel, the water heater, the furnace, and the roof from the yard. These are where problems hide.
Use your senses
- Smell. Mustiness in a basement suggests moisture. Strong air fresheners may be covering something.
- Listen. Stand still and listen. Highway noise? Train tracks? The school next door?
- Look up. Water stains on ceilings. Cracks at door frames. Sagging gutters.
- Touch. Floors that feel soft. Walls that feel damp. Windows that won't open.
Talk to the listing agent — strategically
The agent at the open house represents the seller. Anything you say can become part of their negotiation strategy. Don't volunteer how much you love the home or how badly you need to move. Do ask:
- How long has the home been on the market?
- Are there any offers yet?
- Has there been a pre-inspection?
- What's the seller's timeline?
- Are there any known issues?
Walk the block
Before you leave the neighborhood, walk three blocks in each direction. Look at the other homes. Look at the cars. Look at the trash on Sunday morning. The neighborhood matters as much as the house.