Things to Consider at an Open House: Insights from a Real Estate Agent in Lakeland, Florida
If you are planning on buying a new home in Lakeland, Florida, visiting open houses is most likely a high-priority task on your to-do list — and for good reasons. Open houses allow you to view homes for sale in greater detail. An open house can provide you with useful information about the homes you are interested in, and it can help you get a clearer picture of what you need (and want) in your dream home.
With that said, there are some important factors to consider at open houses to ensure that you find the perfect home. This real estate agent in Lakeland, Florida is going to explain the things you should look for below:
Damages
Some wear and tear is to be expected with just about any home that’s been lived in previously. However, when visiting an open house in Lakeland, Florida, you should keep an eye out for noticeable signs of damage — such as water damage, leaky windows, and sticky doors.
● Water damage: Water stains, mold, and buckled floorboards are all signs of previous water damage. While the degree of the damage may not be evident at first glance, it may still require expensive repairs down the line. For example, if the home has a leaky pipe, costly plumbing repairs will be necessary sooner or later.
● Leaky windows: If you notice condensation forming inside the glass of the home's windows, the windows are most likely leaky. Leaky windows will need to be replaced to maintain the home's energy efficiency.
● Sticky doors: If you find it difficult to open and close the doors, it may signal structural flaws. Structural flaws can result in huge cracks in the ceiling — a problem that can cost you a fortune to fix.
Privacy
Your Lakeland real estate agent can help you find the most beautiful home in the area, but it may not be a comfortable place for you to live if it doesn’t offer any privacy. Therefore, make sure you look out all the windows as you walk through the open house to make sure the home provides enough privacy. A lack of privacy can quickly become a nuisance after moving into a new home, so make sure you consider this key factor at the open house.
Neighborhood
Open houses in Lakeland allow you to get a feel for the many different neighborhoods in the area. The neighborhood where the home is located will significantly impact your day-to-day life, so you don’t want to overlook this factor when searching for a new home. You and your Lakeland real estate agent can observe the landscaping and other homes in the neighborhood to get a general sense of the community. For example, if you work from home (as many people do these days) and prefer a quiet and peaceful workspace, but you can hear the neighbor's dog barking at the open house, that home might not be the best option for you.
Other Prospective Buyers
Pay attention to the other prospective buyers at the open house. This can give a good indication of how contested the bidding process might be, as well as how quickly you should make an offer if you are interested. However, if there are not many other buyers at the open house, the house is probably less competitive. Your real estate agent in Lakeland, Florida can help you gauge the level of interest in a particular home.
Looking for the Top-Rated Real Estate Agent in Lakeland, Florida?
Are you ready to partner with the top-rated real estate agent in Lakeland, Florida? If so, you’ve come to the right place — Lisa Matheny, Realtor with the Dalton Wade Real Estate Group would be happy to assist you. Lisa can handle every aspect of your home buying process — from finding the perfect home, to keeping you involved throughout the process of visiting open houses, to closing the transaction, and more. Contact Lisa Matheny at (863) 412-6633 to get started.