Remember the times wayyyyyy back in the day when you'd go walk around the inside of a pretty house for fun? Yep, you'd just walk right in there like you  owned the place?

Those days seem like they're long gone but they don't have to be over--and they aren't!

If I had a dollar for everytime someone said to me, "I don't need to go see it-I looked at it on Zillow" I wouldn't need to sell any more houses!

I'm going to tell you as efficiently as I can why you should continue to go to Open Houses if you are looking for a new home. 

1. Open Houses are the ONLY time you can waltz in and look at a home WITHOUT a contract! This wasn't the case until 2024; but in August of last year-nationally, this rule went into effect. It is a HUGE change and unless you have fairly recently looked for a home, you might be otherwise unaware. Unless you are visiting an Open House, you MUST sign a contract with a Real Estate Agent, and without it; the agent legally CANNOT show you anything. We can all agree, paperwork is no fun. Sometimes you just want to spontaneously look. Sometimes you don't have an agent and aren't ready to choose one. Utilize Open Houses for these reasons.

2. OF COURSE we all like to browse homes. It's fun. We want to see what's out there. I won't lie, Zillow is great for this. However, consider yourself blessed if you've never gone to see a property and it looks VASTLY different than the photos. Visiting an Open House fixes this problem. Sellers want their house SOLD. They pay photographers to make their house look as best as possible to attract buyers. Sometimes, to the point of editing the truth from the house. In person, you can see the things the photographer didn't want to show you.  Unedited. Without being "catfished" (as the kids call it). Plus, there's almost always an agent in the home who is available to answer any questions you have, without all the strings.

3. We don't always look at Real Estate agents as local businesses. But they are! Agents are real independent contractors who don't make money until property is sold. Most have to spend HOURS of unpaid time looking for people to help. They are real people in your area trying to make a living by serving their community and getting their neighbors into homes. I trust you can make the connection. I trust that I don't have to explain why supporting local whenever you can is a great idea! 

4. Even if you have no intention of buying a home soon, stopping by an Open House is building community! You meet a cool agent, you learn about a neighborhood, you tell your friends and family that are looking. You just helped your loved one and a small business! They, in turn, think of you and pay it forward when you are looking for maybe a home. It doesn't stop there- maybe also they know a dogsitter for you, a handyman, or maybe they just want to thank you with quarterly treats. This spreads like wildfire, and now your town feels less like a bunch of strangers. Now, it feels like a community. Like home.

5. Most Open Houses have swag and treats! Do we "need" more stuff? No. Do we still like them? Heck yes! And Agents love being generous!

I hope this helps and encourages you to get out there, support local, and make your own life easier! 

If you have ANY questions at all, you know where to find me! :)