I love it when my design and musical lives collide in the most unexpected of ways. So when my brief for this story called for a cohesive list of ‘must do’s’ at an open house inspection, I naturally thought of music…
Let me explain. It really helps me to retain useful yet sometimes menial information if I attach a song to the task or the information I’m trying to absorb. So consider this your mini playlist which will hopefully have you humming your way through your first – or 10th! – house inspection.
There’s nothing like being prepared.
It’s a good idea to attend multiple viewings of the same property at different times of the day. Picture: Prue Ruscoe
1. “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey” – Johnny Cash, You are my Sunshine
A property descriptor will often highlight if a home has a north-east facing living area, because it gets the most direct sunlight throughout the day. But it’s really important to test this statement. There are many contributing factors, such as the shadows of neighbouring residences and the time of day, and these can hugely impact how light or dark a space seems.
It’s a good idea to attend multiple viewings of the same property and all at different times of the day. This is a good way to assess how much natural light the property actually receives. Natural light is such an invaluable contributor to any home, so jump for joy if your open house is scheduled when skies are grey.
If she’s still bright and airy, she might be a keeper. One final tip: It’s always good to note the property’s reliance on artificial light versus natural light; i.e., if there are a few too many lamps on, it might be masquerading the fact it’s dark on a dreary day.
Natural light is an invaluable contributor in any home. Picture: Prue Ruscoe
2. “What a beautiful noise, comin’ up from the street, got a beautiful sound, it’s got a beautiful beat” – Neil Diamond, Beautiful Noise
After a long, hard day at the office, all any of us truly want is a little bit of peace and quiet, Netflix and a mini chill before dinner prep starts. So when you attend an open home, there are a few key things to really notice, ‘listen’ to and question:
- Are there sounds coming off the street?
- How much foot traffic does the home or apartment receive? This is something to really consider if it’s located on the ground floor.
- How close is the home to the road, school or local watering hole?
- Is the property located right under a noisy flight path?
- What sounds are coming from local residences? In particular student digs or nearby muso pads, which might have you reconsidering your offer.
Listen up – what can be heard outside the window? Picture: Elise Hassey
3. “We’re livin’ in the future, and none of this has happened yet”- Bruce Springsteen, Livin’ in the Future
Think ahead: An open home is an opportunity to view a property in detail, but it’s also important to consider a property more globally in the context of its surroundings.
It’s important to look out for how these surroundings might change in the future and in turn, how this could impact your investment. Keep your eyes peeled for development applications on neighbouring residences. Your neighbour’s plans for a new balcony could impinge on your ‘current’ uninterrupted view.
Lastly, as boring as this sounds, contact your local council and confirm future developments programmed for the local area.
Your neighbour’s plans for a new balcony could impinge on your ‘current’ uninterrupted view. Picture: Prue Ruscoe
4. “There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say” – Seal, Kiss From a Rose
I wouldn’t normally champion eavesdropping but in this instance… go for it! This spirited market has created an environment in which you will often find yourself elbow to elbow with the competition at a viewing. Consider this an opportunity, not a hindrance.
Your competition can prove a valuable resource during an open house. They may know something about the neighbourhood or building that you don’t. A smart buyer listens and considers the observations of others. You may very well learn something that will help you craft your own offer and make it one the owners can’t refuse.
Listen out – your competition can prove a valuable resource during an open house. Picture: Tom Ferguson
5. “Conversations, conversations, shouting out across an empty station” – Cold Chisle, Conversations
While I wouldn’t recommend shouting across an open house to get the attention of the agent, I strongly recommend striking up a conversation with them. Asking informed questions will demonstrate your interest is genuine. They may also be able to give you more information about things such as how long the property has been on the market, when it was last updated, the reason for the sale and if any offers have been made.
Agents can also be a good source of information about the base build structure and whether it suffers from dampness or mould. Remember to remain analytical; the agent is tasked with selling the property foremost and is unlikely to share unfavourable information with you.
Asking informed questions to the real estate will demonstrate your genuine interest. Picture: Prue Ruscoe
6. “Be pre-parrrrred”- Lion King, Be Prepared
The Lion King’s infamous ‘Scar’ character, may have been a total badass who ultimately met his downfall – but, he made a good point.
Before anything else, be prepared!
