If you’re in the market for a new home, be prepared when attending an open house.

Do you know how to handle an open house?  Open houses have a lot to offer, and, like anything else they also have their downsides.  Gary Richetelli here again, and I’d like to share with you all an article I recently found on CNN.com.

One of the first (and most important) points this article makes, is that nearly half of all real estate buyers go to an open house before they make a purchase.  You want to be in that 50%.  But you also want to know what to look for, and that’s where I found this article very helpful.

CNN provides five tips for potential buyers thinking about attending an open house.  The first: don’t get caught up in window dressing.  According to CNN, 94% of sellers participate in “staging” or dressing up a house to make it seem more impressive.  Be sure to keep a sharp eye, the author writes.  Check under rugs, be wary of any smells covered by perfumes, and be sure to listen for any unusual noises.

The second piece of advice the article gives is to talk to other attendees.  Listen to their comments, as they may have picked up on something you’ve missed.  And if you get a chance to talk to a neighbor, don’t hesitate to ask questions.

The same is true of the listing agent, the article says.  Ask about other offers, improvements to the property, etc…

Another helpful tip offered in this article, is that this is a chance to test-drive a house, and also a neighborhood.  An open house gives you a chance to experience what it would really be like to live in this home, much more so than on any listing.

So to any potential buyers in the market, I would encourage you to keep these tips in mind when you attend an open house during your search!