The ultimate buyer’s checklist for open homes
While they play an essential part in your house hunting journey, open home inspections can be a lot of work. Take the stress out of the day by knowing what you are looking for and planning ahead of time.
Being organised could well be the answer to securing your dream home.
Preparing for inspection day
Make a checklist
First things first: in order to find your dream home, you have to know what you are looking for. Compile a list of features you want in a home and be sure to differentiate between must-haves and things that would be nice to have but aren’t essential. Do you really need three bathrooms, or could you live comfortably with two? It might be helpful to have a list of deal breakers, too.
Fill in the blanks
Online listings are a good place to start, but there’s only so much information you can get from them. Make a list of questions you want to have answered on inspection day and take them with you as a reminder.
Plan your day
Open home inspections can be overwhelming at the best of times, so limit the stress by creating a schedule in advance. Once you’ve made your shortlist, take note of the inspection times and add them to your planner. Make sure you factor in travel time and don’t try to fit too many inspections into a single Saturday morning. Wherever possible, take advantage of midweek open homes to avoid the crowds and minimise pressure.
Tackling the open homes
Be prepared
Take your checklist and questions along with you to inspections. Make sure they are organised and labelled with the address of the respective home to eliminate confusion. Use a notepad or your smartphone to take notes – it’s easy to forget what you’ve seen, especially if you’re looking at multiple homes in one day.
Explore the area
Arrive early and take the opportunity to get to know the area. Head down to the local cafe for a takeaway coffee and take a walk to get a feel for the area and its community.
After the open homes
Revisit your notes
Be honest with yourself. Were there any absolute deal-breakers? Does your list of must-haves align with your budget? Do any deserve a second inspection?
Following up with the agent
Be honest and transparent with your feedback. A good agent will help you find your dream home and understand what your requirements are as a buyer, even if this one in particular isn’t it.
If you’re looking to buy, view our properties for sale or reach out to our team today.
