Key West Open House Guide
There are lots of ways to view an open house these days. In fact, you can do virtual tours from your home or office, on your phone or iPad. And what you’ll see that way are great images of great homes. But you’ll always wonder if it really looks like that.
So, the best thing to do is to see the home in person. In fact, why not come down to the keys and see what’s open this week?
Attending an Open House
Here are a few things to remember when going to an open house:
- Always tell the host real estate agent that you are already working with another agent if they ask. Feel free to give them my name and number too, this way if you decide to make an offer, they know to expect a call from me. (If you do need an agent, here’s some helpful information.)
- Bring a notebook and pen along with a tape measure so you aren’t guessing if your sofa/dresser/television will fit in a specific space.
- Request permission before taking any pictures. If the home is empty or staged it often is okay, but if the homeowners’ belongings or photos are visible, it is not appropriate to photograph them.
- Ignore the fancy staging and take a deep look at the home. Check the kitchen doors and drawers, closets, and garages to make sure the home will meet your needs.
- Jot down striking features of the home to help you remember what you liked and/or had questions about.
- Ask the hosting agent why the homeowner is selling. This can help you determine how motivated they are. For example, if they are just testing the market, they may not be willing to deal with you, but if they are moving across the country for a job, you might be able to negotiate on the price when you make an offer.
- Do not bring children or pets to an open house. There is no way to know ahead of time if the home is safe for a child or your furry friends.
Homebuyer Quick List
Use this list to make sure you don’t forget any of the essentials:
- What condition are the appliances in?
- Do you notice stains or mold under the sinks in the kitchen or bath? What about termite damage?
- Do the electrical outlets look solid and are the outlets grounded (i.e., do they have three-prong holes)? And do all the light switches work?
- Is the flooring warped, faded, or cracked? What about sloped?
- Check the ceilings and baseboards for any signs of water damage. Also, look for water damage around the windows and doorframes.
- Check all of the outside buildings too: Sheds, detached garages, pool houses, and other structures.
Open Houses
Here are some open houses in the Key West area. Check them out and then let me know if you’d like to see two or three of them again … or similar homes that are also on the market.
