4 do's and don'ts of viewing an open home
Open homes are a great opportunity for you to get a closer look at a property that you’re interested in. Whether you’re planning to go to auction or are weighing up your options in negotiations, open homes give you the chance to not only ask more specific questions of the selling agent, but also to get a “feel” for the home itself. Photos and descriptions can only do so much justice, after all.
However, this can be an intimidating experience for first home buyers. How to act appropriately, what kind of questions to ask: It can be overwhelming to start with, but follow our four do’s (and don’ts) of the open home process and you’ll be well on your way to making an informed decision.
Taking a stroll could tell you a lot about the neighbourhood.
Do: Take a walk around the neighbourhood
Either before or after your viewing, take the time to take a walk around what could be your new neighbourhood. Melbourne is ranked as the second most walkable city in Australia according to Walkscore, so here’s your chance to take advantage of it.
You can discover just how far public transportation is, if there are any interesting local features and amenities and, of course, get a general feel for what it would be like to live in this particular suburb. A simple walk can quiet your mind and give you a chance to solidify what questions about the neighbourhood you are planning to ask the agent.
Don’t: Be late
Melbourne property is in very high demand at the moment.
Melbourne property is in very high demand at the moment. Over the past year, CoreLogic RP Data recorded Melbourne as having the highest value gains of any capital city. So, you can understand why some properties will have a number of people wanting to view them.
As such, keep in mind your agent will likely be working to a very tight schedule with the viewing. Try not to turn up late, and if you are going to be tardy, let the agent know ahead of time. Otherwise, you may simply have missed your opportunity and will need to book again.
Do: Ask questions about the property
If this is your first time viewing a property for sale, it’s understandable that you’ll have a lot of questions about the home. How long has the property been on the market? Are there any known issues with the home or land? Have there been any recent renovations or repairs? This kind of information can tell you a great deal about the home, as well as let you know how flexible the asking price is.
You should also ask about a potential building inspection. Sometimes the vendor will have done this already, but always remember to get one done before making an offer. Archicentre reports that up to 31 per cent of Victorian homes have some kind of minor water damage, and that’s the last thing you want to deal with when moving into a new home. Avoid this by consulting with a professional.
Don’t: Try to do an inspection yourself
Tapping on walls does nothing but make you look unprepared.
There are a few giveaways when somebody is a first home buyer, but there’s nothing more obvious than when they start doing things like tapping on the walls at an open home. Unless you are an inspector yourself, it is unlikely to really tell you anything.
If you want to know more about a property’s structure, ask the selling agent or get a professional inspection. Tapping on walls does nothing but make you look unprepared.
These do’s and don’ts will get you started down the path of owning your own home. But if you want the experts on your side, make sure to get in touch with the local real estate agents at Nelson Alexander.
