If you’re searching Arizona golf communities for your new dream home, you’re probably spending a lot of time browsing the internet, touring houses and researching neighborhoods. Then, after all that research, your weekends may consist of attending an open house or two.
Open houses are a great way to see a property without an appointment, especially if you are curious about the neighborhood, floor plan and available amenities. But it’s easy to get distracted and miss key opportunities, especially with other buyers and the Realtor wandering around.
Here are 5 tips to make the most out of attending an open house:
- Research and Focus
While it’s easy to pop into an open house as you’re driving by, doing a little research with your real estate agent before the open house can give you direction. You can then skip open houses that are out of your price range or that don’t have your top priority features.
- Know the DOM – Days on Market
Knowing how many days the property has been on the market (DOM) before an open house will give you a good idea of what questions to ask and what price to consider if you like the home. For instance, if the home is priced a little out of your budget and you normally wouldn’t consider it, check the DOM. If it’s longer than average, there may be negotiating room and it may be worth seeing in person and asking a few questions. Of course, your real estate agent is best positioned to understand what the DOM means and can explain it you with a quick phone call.
- Give Your Budget Some Wiggle Room
It’s important to figure out your budget before you start looking and attending open houses, but for many reasons (including the one above), consider homes a little higher and lower. This is within reason, of course, as it won’t do you any good to look at homes at double your budget. If the home is priced lower, maybe renovations and customized features will bring the budget up. You should compare what you might be able to get with a slightly higher budget (like recent renovations or additions) to what you can get with a lower budget (better deal, but more work to be done to the property after purchase).
- People Watch
People watching at an open house can give you a good idea of the interest in the home, plus features that are highly sought-after or need to be updated. If you’re new to the process, neighborhood or price range, this can be especially helpful. If people are coming in and out quickly without paying much attention to any details, the home may be overpriced or need updating. If people are hovering around the agent or specific features of the home, that’s a good indication of what similar home buyers are looking for and the interest level of a home at that price.
- Ask Questions
One of the best parts of an open house is the ability to ask the real estate listing agent any questions right on the spot. Not everything may be noted on the MLS, like which appliances convey or when the “recent renovation” was completed. The agent also likely knows about the neighborhood, market and comparable homes in the area. If you haven’t selected a real estate agent yet, this is a good way to indirectly interview the Realtor for the job.
Searching and touring Arizona golf homes takes time and energy. Visiting an open house is a good way to learn what you like, what you don’t like, and how far your budget will go in different markets. With a little research and help from a trusted and professional real estate agent like those from The Matheson Team, you’ll find the perfect property for you and your family.
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team – RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-405-4228
don@azgolfhomes.com
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