Find Your Dream Home in Arlington: Top 10 Tips to Acing Open Houses
When you make the decision to begin searching for your new home in Arlington, there are a few important tips to remember before starting out on your open house route.
Check our our top 10 tips below to learn how to make the most of your open house visits in Arlington, VA - before you even arrive on the property.
Thinking of buying or selling a home in Arlington, Virginia? Contact me.
1. Talk To A Trusted Real Estate Agent
To find the best, most up-to-date, and even sometimes - exclusive - Arlington, VA, open houses, start your search with a real estate agent. These licensed professionals are often well-connected and have access to listings that haven’t even hit the market yet. Try to find an agent who specializes in the Arlington (or NoVA) area so they can give you the low-down on the most popular and up-and-coming spots where you can get the most bang for your buck.
You and your agent will likely be in close communication over the next few months leading up to your new home purchase. Make sure you are honest, clear, and realistic so your agent can understand your priorities and timeline. Your agent will carefully guide you through the overall homebuying process and ensure that you are first in line for your favorite open houses.
2. Make A List Of Non-Negotiables
One thing to know about Arlington is that you will be overcome with options. From condos to row homes to single-family homes, this area has a diverse offering of homes in all shapes and sizes. Before you start attending open houses in Arlington, VA, come up with a list of must-haves.
If you cook a lot, a user-friendly kitchen might top your list. If you have small children, a backyard might be of utmost importance to you. Pick your top three most important home features and be sure that you communicate them to your agent so you only look at the kind of homes you’d be interested in.
3. Get To Know The Area
The best way to get to know the area is to visit it yourself! Are you wondering how long your commute would be to DC? Try it! Don’t waste your time with open houses that will ultimately be out of the question logistically.
Especially if you are relocating, spend some time with the people in Arlington. Do what the locals do - visit restaurants, grocery stores, and parks in different neighborhoods. Don’t be ashamed to crack open your map (or GPS), or to just go for a drive through your favorite neighborhood (and look for for-sale signs!). Doing some of your own hands-on research will help you save time and effort so you’re not attending open houses for homes that you aren’t truly interested in.
4. Calculate Travel Between Open Houses
When you start to visit open houses in Arlington, VA, be sure to come up with a plan for the day. Traffic in the greater DC area can really slow you down at different times of the day. Be sure to check ahead of time to see how far the open houses are away from each other - and then add a time buffer (just in case) so you are sure to have enough time.
5. Keep An Open Mind
Because Arlington is so diverse, it might be smart to see many different types of homes. You may surprise yourself! Don’t count a house out just because the exterior doesn’t initially look appealing to you.
If you are feeling flexible about what style of home you purchase (and you have the time), allow yourself to see a good variety of homes. Allow your agent to make recommendations based on your needs - they are the experts, after all!
6. Prepare To Ask Questions
Think of an open house as a job interview. You will want to prepare questions ahead of time (specific to both the house and the area). Some questions might include:
- What year was the house built?
- How long has the house been vacant/on the market?
- What are the utility costs?
- Why is the owner selling?
- Are there any structural or cosmetic problems with the home?
- What is the public school district?
Work with your agent to compile a go-to list that you can ask at each open house you attend.
7. And . . . Prepare To Answer Questions!
In addition to having questions prepared, you should anticipate questions that the agent running the open house might ask you.
Work with your real estate agent to prepare basic information about yourself that you might need to share at the open house. When are you looking to move? Is the house in your price range?
Don’t be afraid to turn on the charm! Making a solid first impression at an open house is never a bad thing. Always leave the open house on a positive note - even if you know that it’s not the home for you. You never know which agents you might run into again and word travels fast within the most prevalent real estate companies.
8. Research Prices In Your Areas Of Interest
The best way to know if a house is listed at a fair price is to do your research! Look online, in newspapers, and in magazines to compare house prices. You can ask your agent about the best websites to visit like Northern VA Home Pro, Zillow and Redfin. Some of these sites allow you to see the sale history, so you can see how the home value has increased or decreased over the past few sales.
Have a general idea (maybe keep a notebook) of price ranges in different areas. How much does a backyard drive up the price of the house? Are certain school districts more expensive than others? Keeping notes on what you see both online and in person can help you maintain a realistic view of what you can get for your money. It will also allow you to have well-researched and intelligent conversations with the agents leading the open houses you attend.
9. Consider Daily Transportation
Do you plan to have access to a car at your new home? If you’re looking at condos, parking will be key in Arlington. Be sure your building has included parking or nearby options for purchase. Additionally, parking spots can add real value to a home in a more urban environment!
If you work in DC and plan to take public transportation, think about the DC Metro line and focus your search close to convenient stops. If your commute takes you to the Pentagon, you might want to look at homes with convenient access to Interstate 395.
Although the public schools in Arlington are highly rated, there are also many stellar private school options in the area. Is there a certain program or school that might interest your son or daughter? Try out the drive between potential school options and your workplace. Which areas make logistical sense for your family?
10. Remember To Have Fun!
Attending open houses can be stressful and time consuming. But, the process of buying a house is also exciting and rewarding! Your dream home in Arlington is waiting for you - you just need to find it!
When you’re beginning your search for a new home in Arlington, you will need to strategize to get the most out of your open house visits. Don’t forget to do your preliminary research, and most importantly, rely on your agent for help and guidance through the process!
Thinking of buying or selling a home in Arlington, Virginia? Contact me.