Top 3 Things To Look Out For At An Open House

Attending an open house can be an exciting experience! With that said, it’s important to not let the excitement cause you to miss any red flags or points of concern. You’re on a mission when going to an open house — you don’t want to miss something that can prevent comfortable, safe living in your potential new home. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for:

Signs of Physical Damage

This likely goes without saying, but you’re going to want to scope out physical damage to the property. We’re talking paint chips, faulty flooring, water damage, and everything of the sort. All of these damages would become your responsibility to fix if you end up purchasing or renting the property, which could put a serious dent in your wallet. If you’re certain you want to buy or rent the property you’re visiting, you should absolutely bring it up to whomever is hosting the open house. That way, you can avoid paying the damages yourself or at least learn more information about it. A keen eye always prevails!

Irregular Odors

Whether it’s smelly trash outside or an over-fragranced room, smelling something irregular at an open house is not necessarily a bad sign, but could signal a problem. Foul odors like garbage or mold will naturally make you think twice, but you should make note of pleasant-yet-strong smells, as well. Smells like air freshener, freshly baked cookies, candles or incense that dominate the room could be there to mask something less pleasant. If you can, smell each room thoroughly to see if you can seek out the source of any possible stenches. Scoping out problems at the open house will save you the headache later if you decide to purchase the property!

Temperature Changes

If you go from sweating in the kitchen to freezing in the bathroom, something isn’t right. The temperature difference between two rooms should never be drastic, so if you notice something extreme, you should ask the host why that is. The usual suspect is poor insulation for one or several rooms. You can also do some investigating on your own — similar to the last tip, look around in utility closets, the boiler room, and inspect any vents and radiators to see if anything is amiss.Going to an open house is a great way to decide if you want to pursue a property, but homebuying is a huge decision. That’s why you should always keep an eye out for anything that seems off to you. If you need any further guidance on what to do at an open house, contact the office of David DiPetro today at (303) 257-5813!