A property for sale being shown at an open house gives prospective homebuyers a chance to look through and determine if it’s a right fit.

The first things you might notice upon entering may be the furnishings, the lighting, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and similar characteristics about the space in front of you. It is unfortunately easy to completely miss important details, such as how many outlets there are in the bathroom and if there are any odd layout choices.

As a real estate agent, our team is accustomed to attending and setting up open houses. We know exactly what to pay attention to and what to flag as a concern.

Here is what to look for at an open house.

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Low-Quality Renovations

Poorly done renovations are often DIY jobs that do not hold up long-term, such as a roof replacement done wrong, a kitchen or a bathroom that appears more worn than it should be, or sloppy jobs done around the house for cheap. While bad renovations may be harmless, some may mean big repairs to come. This is what makes a home inspection key, uncovering major issues you will want to know about prior to submitting an offer.

Floor Plans That Are Partial Or Incomplete

Some floor plans are born from poorly done renovations, such as knocking out a load-bearing wall and adding or not adding structural support after the fact. If you are at an open house with an inspector or structural engineer, and chances are you aren’t, you might spot certain layouts that aren’t functional or that could be potentially problematic. This is, again, why a home inspection is essential prior to putting in a bid on a home.

Cracks On Ceilings, Walls, Or Floors

Abnormalities on ceilings, walls, and floors present with age but they could indicate something structurally wrong. A home inspection could tell you further what was wrong – if anything. Different kinds of ceiling paint can mean water damage or mould trouble. If the floors are mushy or lopsided, that’s a sign there’s damage there. What may seem like minute abnormalities can be signs of damage and repairs in need that you may not want to tackle.

Unexpected Smells, Sounds, And Sensations

Attune yourself to the environment. If there’s a basement smell, it could be an issue of humidity and mould. If you smell oil or mould by the furnace, that’s another problem. Listen for noise as well, such as if you hear planes overhead, a nearby school bell ringing, or traffic sounds. Any of these small notices could be enough to turn you off as a buyer or cause you to pause and question whether this is the house for you.

Trees That Could Be Unseen Problems

A tree on or near your property that is too big or diseased would spell trouble. Most trees have roots as wide as the tree is high, meaning a 30-foot-high tree will have 30-foot-long roots. These could be growing towards your home’s foundation or towards a sewage drain. They can crack a foundation even. They have that strength.

If the property you’re on has a large tree, get a drain scope done alongside your home inspection to verify whether the roots have gotten into the pipes or not.

Information is power when buying a home! You’ll find even more valuable facts and tips in the posts below:

View From Each Room

Few would want a bedroom with a window looking directly into a neighbour’s yard. Check the views all around. Your surrounding environment is important. You don’t want to be looking into other peoples’ properties or have them able to look into yours. Any sort of buildings being built nearby or other potential renovation plans can also impact your view.

Don’t go into an open house alone. A trusted real estate agent from the Adrian + Andrea Team can help you spot problems you may not see at first glance. Buy houses in Toronto with the experience and expertise of a realtor at your side. Reach out today to (416) 319-6893 or info@adrianandrea.com.