Before you make an offer on a home, it’s important that you set aside time to go and see the home in person. You have a couple of options for how you will do this. Some sellers will host public open houses where anyone interested in seeing the home can come during an allotted time. Other sellers will choose not to host an open house, and you’ll have to schedule a private in-person showing if you want to see these properties. In this article, you’ll learn more about the pros and cons of either option. This information will give you a better idea about how you can proceed with your search for homes for sale in Upland, CA.
Open house pros
You don’t need an appointment
If you want to schedule a private showing, you’ll have to communicate back and forth with the seller (or their agent) about a time that works for you to come and see the property. This can be difficult since you’re having to find a time that works for you, your agent, and the seller. You don’t have to worry about finding a time that works for everyone when you attend an open house. You can visit an open house with or without your agent, and you won’t have to go back and forth with the seller because you already know that the time will work for them. You can also drive by a sign for an open house and choose to stop in on a whim without any advance planning.
You can meet the listing agent
When you schedule private showings, you may not have a chance to visit with the listing agent except when you’re determining a time for the showing. If you attend an open house, you’ll be able to meet the listing agent and ask whatever questions you have about the home. They can likely provide more information about the home than what you can find online.
Open house cons
You may have to share your information
This isn’t a huge issue, but it’s something that you’ll want to be aware of. The listing agent may ask for your contact information so that they can follow up with you after the open house. Don’t be surprised if and when this happens.
You won’t be the only one looking
By definition, open houses are available to anyone who wants to come by and see the property. You should not expect to be the only one who attends. You’ll likely notice other individuals, couples, and families walking through the property and looking through different rooms while you are there. You may start to wonder how seriously they are interested in buying the home and if they will submit an offer before you do. This can lead to increased pressure to act quickly. Don’t let this sense of urgency lead you to look past obvious red flags about the home’s condition or why the house may not be an ideal fit for you.
You must attend when it’s scheduled
Normally, open houses for homes for sale in Upland, CA, take place on Sunday afternoons. Most sellers find that this is the best time to attract as many prospective buyers as possible. Still, some people have other obligations on Sundays, such as work, worship, kids' sporting events, or preparing for the upcoming work week. You can’t ask the seller to reschedule the open house in this instance, so you’ll have to miss the event and hope that you can set up another time for a private showing.
Private showing pros
You can take your time
If you schedule a private showing, you won’t feel rushed based on the timeframe for when the open house is scheduled. You can move at your own pace without worrying about when the open house is ending or who else may be looking at the home at the same time as you.
You can be honest about any concerns that you have
It can be awkward to express concerns about a home during the open house because you don’t want to put the listing agent or other buyers in an awkward position. This is less of a concern at a private showing since these people aren’t around.
You won’t feel as much pressure
Buyers sometimes feel increased pressure at open houses because the listing agent and other buyers are nearby. If you see another buyer asking lots of questions or spending a lot of time looking at the property, you might wonder if they are getting ready to make an offer. You won’t feel this same kind of pressure when you attend a private showing since you’ll be the only person viewing the home at that time.
Private showing cons
They require more planning
In order to schedule a private showing, you’ll have to mutually agree on a time that works for you, your agent, and your seller. You may also have to have a preapproval letter before you schedule a private showing since you normally can’t schedule one without the help of a real estate agent. Some agents will only work with buyers who are already preapproved. For this reason, an open house may be a better option if you’re only casually shopping or if you’re still early in the process.
Some sellers won’t allow them
Some sellers prefer not to allow private showings for privacy reasons or personal preference. You can ask them to make an exception on your behalf, but there are no guarantees.
Find an agent whom you trust
The Human Element real estate team brings a wealth of experience to each transaction. They can often anticipate problems before they happen and use their expert negotiating skills to earn better deals for each client they work with. Contact their office if you have more questions about open houses and in-person showings or if you’re looking for someone who can help you shop for homes for sale in Upland, CA. They will be happy to help you however they can.
