Attending an open house can be fun - you get to poke around inside houses you might otherwise only see online. Going to open houses before you start serious house hunting is also smart - it can help you feel prepared for when you need to move quickly on a house you like, especially in competitive markets. You can find houses in Tampa, Florida, with upcoming open houses below to start discovering homes you’ll love. 

What Is An Open House?

Open houses are a great way for homeowners selling their homes to show their houses to a larger number of prospective buyers. An open house is an event where a homeowner and their real estate agent invite the public to view the property for a short window of time. Usually, the homeowner will leave during the event, and the realtor answers questions and points out features of the home to visitors. Interested parties can leave their contact information to keep in touch if they decide to make an offer on the home. 

Benefits Of Attending Open Houses

Whether you’re already well into the home search process, you’ve just started looking for houses, or you’re only thinking about buying a home, attending an open house is a helpful step in your home-buying journey. There are several benefits of attending an open house. 

Understand What You Can Get For Your Budget

If you’ve browsed online but haven’t visited any houses in person, attending an open house or two can help you understand what houses in your budget will look like. Houses can look different in person from their listing photos online, which may focus on the most desirable aspectsof a house. Attending open houses in various neighborhoods can help you get a handle on what you’ll need to spend to live in a particular area and whether or not your money might be better spent elsewhere. 

Figure Out What You Want

Seeing houses in person can help you work on your list of priorities as you continue your home search. If you’ve never searched for homes before, you may not have a great handle on what certain amounts of square footage look and feel like, or you may not have considered how many bedrooms and bathrooms you really need. Thoughtfully walking through an open house can help you raise important questions about what floor plans, amenities, and features will work best for you. 

Homes are often professionally staged for open houses, which might help you see the potential of some home features you hadn’t previously considered. Maybe you had your heart set on an open floor plan, but visiting an open house for an older home could help you see the possibilities of breaking up your space. Or maybe you didn’t think you needed a primary suite, but viewing a home with a gorgeous primary bath and dual closets could be a game changer. Honing in on your wish list will help you narrow down your choices, and it can help you see the potential in other homes. Get our free downloadable wants and needs checklist to help you work on your wish list as you explore open houses. 

Get A Feel For The Neighborhood

Attending an open house in a neighborhood you’re interested in gives you insight into the environment and community, especially if it’s a neighborhood you’re not very familiar with. Pay attention to the appearance and upkeep of other homes, what kind of businesses and public facilities are nearby, and get a feel for the area's vibe. At an open house, you may even get to talk to other home buyers considering the area and learn which neighborhoods they may be considering. Even if you don’t make an offer on this particular home, you’ll come away with valuable information about the neighborhood and whether it’s somewhere you want to keep looking. 

Open House FAQs

Can Anyone Attend An Open House?

Open houses are open to everyone to attend. You don’t need to have a formal home search started, making open houses a great first step if you’re considering buying a home - and even if you’re not ready to buy yet. 

Can I Attend An Open House Without My Realtor?

The selling agent will be present at an open house, so you don’t have to bring your own realtor. The selling agent will be able to answer any questions you have about the house and give you contact information if you’re interested in taking the next steps. If you’re already working with a Realtor, it's courteous to inform the selling agent upfront.

How Long Do Open Houses Last?

The length of the open house depends on the seller. Most open houses will last somewhere from 1 to 3 hours, or they may take place over the course of a morning, afternoon, or evening. 

How Do I Prepare For An Open House When I Decide To Sell My Home?

Working with a great selling agent is the best way to get fully prepared for your own open house. They’ll take care of almost everything and let you know exactly what you need to do leading up to the open house and the day of. See our 10 tricks for hosting an open house for more tips. 

Work With A Realtor Who Can Help You See More Homes For Sale

Attending open houses is a great way to start taking your home search from the internet to the real world and gather some preliminary data. When you’re ready to get serious about searching for homes to buy, finding a realtor you trust is a good idea. A realtor can schedule private viewings of homes you’re interested in at times that work for your schedule. They’ll work with your budget and your wants and needs to help you find homes that will suit you. When you find a home you love, a realtor will help you navigate the process of making an offer. 
At Eaton Realty, we have an experienced team of real estate professionals who are experts on the Tampa housing market and can guide you through the entire process of searching for and buying your dream home. Contact us today to start your home search.