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How to Be a Good Albuquerque Open House Guest

by Sandi Pressley

Open houses are a great way for home buyers and sellers to meet in a more relaxed setting. It’s your chance as a buyer to peruse your next potential home and see how you can make it your own. It’s really one of the most exciting parts of the home buying process. You definitely get more from open houses than just viewing photos online.

When it comes to home photography, you have to keep in mind that they are aimed to show the best of a home. Seeing the home in person not only reveals things the photos can’t show, but also allows you to view how you can make the home yours.

When you do decide to start going to open houses, you should talk to the people who will be living with you to decide what your wants and needs are. Then do some research (our website is a great resource), talk with your agent and lender. When you take these steps, you can then make a targeted visit with the homes you’re viewing. This not only gives you an advantage over other buyers, but saves you time.

So, before you start viewing, follow these tips to get prepared.

Make It Your Job to Know Which Houses Are “Open”

There are three ways to know when a house is available for viewing:

Ask your agent. We have details on specific properties and can keep you informed of open houses on our website.

And while you’re searching, be sure to jot down the location, time, and date for any open house that strikes your fancy. It will make it that much easier to plan times and routes for hitting as many homes as possible.

Get There Early (and Say Hi to the Neighbors)

Showing up early shows you're serious about buying. You can beat the rush as well and have more time to speak with the hosting agent.

And don't be afraid to ask questions. Many home buyers avoid talking with the showing agent. But the more you speak with them, the more you'll learn about that home.

If a house seems like a match, take a walk around the neighborhood. If you see neighbors out and about, try to talk with them about the neighborhood and get the inside scoop on what life is like there.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

7904 Charger Trail NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109  $380,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (1 full, 2 partial) / 2828 Square Feet

NEW ROOF! (2018) NEWER CARPET & PAINT! (2017) Single story 4BDR/3BA/2G with TWO LIVING AREAS, formal dining, oversized eat-in kitchen plus sunroom! .25 ACRE LOT. REFRIGERATED AIR. Skylights. Wet bar and wood burning fireplace in the oversized family room! Beautifully landscaped yard with mature trees, grass and shrubs! Conveniently located in Academy Estates neighborhood, close to shopping, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Alb Academy, parks, schools & restaurants! !

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Tricks for Hosting a Great Open House in Albuquerque

by Sandi Pressley
Open House. Those two words are exciting to home buyers. This is their chance to
peruse your home without as much pressure.
 
An open house is also a chance for the seller to throw the doors open and dazzle buyers, to make them fall in love with their lovely home.

What are some ways you can make your open house a hit with buyers?

Time It Right

Typically, agents will hold open houses for about 2-3 hours, between 11 am - 5pm on the weekend. This is a time when buyers are more flexible, since many don't work on the weekend. Just make sure to avoid holding an open house on a holiday, during a big community event, or on Super Bowl Sunday or another big game day.

Let Your Agent Take the Lead

Your real estate agent plays two roles during an open house. For you, they direct the open house and give you instructions on how to prepare for the big day. For buyers, they're the host, making guests feel welcome and showing off the features of your home.

Your job is to make your house look like a million bucks — or more like $300,000, depending on your price range.

The job of your agent is to take care of the rest. That will include:

  • Staging your home, or recommending a reputable stager that you can hire
  • Hosting the open house
  • Communicating with home buyers and buyers’ agents
  • Receiving feedback during the open house and communicating that feedback to you

Your agent will also recommend that you leave while they show off your house to strangers. Why should you follow that advice? Because it makes good business sense for you.

  1. A home owner’s presence can make it awkward for the buyer. Buyers want to make assessments on their own, without worrying about how the seller might react or try to influence them.
  2. Buyers may have trouble picturing themselves living in the house when the owner is right there, say, serving lemonade in the kitchen.
  3. Sometimes sellers say too much. You might point out something that you think is a nice feature or amenity of your home, when it’s something that might turn off a buyer. You might blurt out something that could tip your negotiating hand, like how motivated you are to sell, or that you always wanted to update the retro kitchen, but just never got around to it.

The last things you want buyers to think after the open house is, “This place needs work,” or “This seller is desperate — I have the upper hand.” So, let your agent take the lead. This won’t be their first rodeo. They know the nuanced ways to show your home in its best light so that buyers will be dazzled. They also know how to strategically answer questions from buyers to help set you up for success later, during negotiation.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

2536 Sarita Avenue NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104  $165,000

3 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms (2 full, 0 partial) / 1232 Square Feet

 Convenient location near Old Town & Rio Grande! Wonderful home with tile roof, refrigerated air, great room with fireplace open to kitchen with breakfast bar & pantry. Nice layout featuring master bedroom separate from the 2 additional bedrooms, great covered patio & attached 2 car garage. All appliances stay! Don't miss this turn key property!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

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Photo of The Sandi Pressley Team Real Estate
The Sandi Pressley Team
Coldwell Banker Legacy
10400 Academy Rd. NE Suite 100
Albuquerque NM 87111
505-980-2999
505-263-2173 / 505 293-3700
Fax: 505-212-0729

Quick links to this site are also SandiSells.net or SandiSellsHomes.com