Do You Know What to Bring to an Open House? We Can Help!

What to bring to an open house: The must-haves

1. A list of questions

One of the most important things that you should bring to an open house is a list of questions. You don’t want to wander aimlessly through someone’s house, nor do you want to be caught off-guard when you’re greeted by the listing agent and they ask if they can answer any questions!

So, what questions should you ask?

“When someone comes to an open house, they have already seen the listing on a website somewhere. Of course, they’ll ask [about] the price, but they should ask about the taxes, maintenance fees, what the neighbors and neighborhood are like. Some will even ask about the utility bills and average cost per month,” Mary Stewart, a veteran real estate agent in Texas with over 40 years of experience, shares.

Here’s a list of questions you should ask at an open house:

Questions about the listing:

1. How long has the home been on the market?
2. Have there been any price reductions? If so, why?
3. Are there any pending offers?
4. What’s included in the sale (appliances, light fixtures, etc.)?
5. Has the home been recently renovated or updated?

Questions about the seller:

1. Why is the seller moving?
2. How soon does the seller need to close?
3. Have there been any previous offers that fell through? If so, why?
4. Is the seller willing to negotiate on price or cover closing costs?
5. Does the seller have any contingencies tied to the sale?

Questions about the property:

1. How old are the roof, HVAC system, and major appliances?
2. Have there been any past water damage, foundation, or structural issues?
3. What are the average utility costs for the home?
4. Are there any homeowners association (HOA) fees?
5. Has the home been inspected recently?

Questions about the neighborhood:

1. What are the nearby schools and how are they rated?
2. How is the traffic and commute in the area?
3. Are there any upcoming developments or zoning changes?
4. What are the local crime rates?
5. What amenities, parks, or shopping centers are nearby?

2. A tape measure

Have you ever noticed that an empty room looks humongous when there’s no furniture in it? You could walk into a bedroom and think, “Yeah, I totally have enough room for my bedroom furniture!” …But you could be wrong.

Maybe you want to keep a custom dining table or replace the existing appliances in the house. A tape measure will make your life a whole lot easier because you’ll know how much square footage you have to work with.

3. A light

Okay, we know this sounds like an odd thing to bring. You’d think that the listing agent would keep all the curtains or blinds open so the rooms are flooded with natural light — or at least have all the lights on.

The reason you should bring a light with you is because it will let you see in the darkest corners of the home. You can look in the closets, check out the cabinet space, and look in the attic or basement (providing you ask the agent first). A light can help you see the amount of storage space there or spot potential problems that lurk in the dark.

4. A camera

What do you do if you go to an open house and love it, but your partner isn’t there with you? What if you go to several different open houses and you can’t recall the features of one house over another?

A camera is a great way to document what you liked and didn’t like about the home. You can mull over the photographs with your partner, or you can use them to help you weigh the pros and cons of several different houses.

While taking photos can be helpful, not all sellers are comfortable with it, and some might see it as a security concern.

“Some sellers have a problem with someone taking pictures or video. They get suspicious and think the person is casing the place,” Stewart notes. And often, “photos and videos aren’t necessary because we can have up to 50 photos online. We also have 3D tours, and it’s like someone is in the attic showing the whole house, including the floor plan and even furniture!” So make sure you ask the listing agent whether recording devices are allowed.

It’s worth mentioning that most cameras have a video recording feature that you can use to record your thoughts as you tour the house.

5. Socks

Socks may be one of the least likely things to appear on this list, but hear us out. Some homeowners aren’t keen on people wearing shoes in their house, be it for cleanliness’ sake or for religious reasons. To respect their client’s wishes, the listing agent may ask you to remove your shoes or wear booties over your shoes before touring the house.

Most people will dress comfortably when they’re going to open houses and are likely wearing socks. However, if you’re wearing flats, sandals, or other footwear that doesn’t require socks, you’ll be glad you brought them with you. (Of course, you do have the option of going barefoot if you’d like, too.)

6. Masks

Although mask mandates are no longer required and we’re well past the height of the pandemic, it’s still a good idea to carry a mask with you when attending open houses. Some sellers may prefer that guests wear masks, particularly if they have health concerns. It’s not a legal requirement, but out of courtesy, respecting their wishes can make a positive impression.

It’s also worth remembering that some homes may be occupied, and the seller might want to maintain a level of privacy or cleanliness. Wearing a mask in these situations shows that you’re considerate and willing to follow the guidelines set for the open house.

Besides, this is for your protection too, helping reduce the risk of illness. Aside from masks, you may want to carry hand sanitizer for that extra bit of protection.

7. Miscellaneous items

Other things you may want to bring with you include:

• A bottle of water in case you get thirsty and the listing agent doesn’t have refreshments available. Do not bring food or other beverages besides water because accidents happen, and you do not want to be responsible for any damages that may occur.
• Information about your buyer’s agent if you’re working with one and they aren’t with you. The best way to do this is by having your agent’s business card with their contact information so you can easily share this information.
• Preapproval documentation (not to be confused with a prequalification letter), so the hosting agent knows you’re a serious buyer and have already started the process of applying for a mortgage.

What not to bring with you to an open house

Whether you’re attending an open house on a whim or if it’s been planned for weeks, it would be a bad idea to bring anyone other than your agent and one other person.

If you have children, we strongly recommend hiring a sitter. You don’t want any distractions while looking through the home.

Why do we suggest not bringing more than one other person with you? You know the saying, “There’s too many cooks in the kitchen”? When you have multiple people walking with you through an open house, they may focus on pointing out small problems that can easily be fixed, such as paint color or an unkempt yard.

Or they might fall in love with one of the home’s features and try to convince you it’s perfect. Yes, they may mean well, but they could plant a seed of doubt or hope that isn’t actually going to land you in your dream home.

This should go without saying, but it’s best to leave your pets at home, too. Unless you have a service animal, pets should never come with you to any open houses, viewings, or other home-shopping activities. Heaven forbid they have an accident on the carpet or damage the furniture or knick-knacks — it’s a recipe for disaster.

Ready for your open house?

Whether you’re just starting your search for a new home or you’ve been searching for some time, an open house is a fantastic way to see what’s out there. Since buying a house is probably one of the most important decisions of your life, you’ll want to be prepared.

You should absolutely bring with you a list of questions you’d like the listing agent to answer and a way to take notes and photos so you can go over them later. Bring a tape measure or a list of dimensions regarding your larger pieces of furniture so you can get an idea of whether or not your things will fit in the house or both.

Although you may not find a house with everything on your must-have list, open houses can be a great way to see what matters most to you — and that’s all that really matters.

Header Image Source: (Андрей Постовой / Unsplash)