Last Updated on April 10, 2026
Attending a handful of open houses might be one of the smartest decisions you’ll make during the entire home buying process.
For one, it gives you the chance to check out tons of homes at various price points. Walking through open houses before you start your home search also allows you to pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for. That way, when you’re ready to buy, you’ll be able to focus your attention on the best properties for you.
Not convinced beginning your home search with some open houses is worth your time? Here are six great reasons that will change your mind, along with a list of questions to think about while attending an open house near you.
6 reasons to attend an open house
Reason #1: You’ll learn exactly how much you need to budget
Perhaps you already have your heart set on a specific neighborhood or location. Attending a couple open homes in your desired area will give you a good idea about how much you’ll need to spend in order to buy in that location. Attending open houses in a variety of locations is also helpful. Who knows—maybe it’s more affordable to live in another great neighborhood than you thought!
Reason #2: You’ll learn exactly what you want
Have you heard the saying, “You don’t know what you don’t know”? Nothing could be more true when it comes to buying your first home. Even buyers sizing up or sizing down can be surprised by the variety of home features available to them.
Before you look at homes, you might think a certain square footage is adequate or that you only need a certain number of bedrooms. Additionally, you might have opinions about things like floor plans, garage size, and whether or not the home has a fireplace. During the home search process, as you step into more and more homes, your wish list is likely to evolve. Walking through a good amount of open houses before you get really serious about home buying allows you to retool your desires and home in on what’s most important.
Attend an open house in your area during our Big Open House Event, April 18–19.
Reason #3: You won’t rush into a home purchase
With housing shortages continuing at a national level, inventory remains low and demand for housing is high. When a home hits the market in a desirable area and price point, it’s likely to receive offers quickly. To jump into that kind of market means that decisions must be made quickly, even hastily.
Buying a home in haste can sometimes lead to buyer’s remorse. A recent study found that almost half of all home buyers and a whopping 66% of Millennial home buyers have buyer’s remorse.
But guess what?
If you do your homework ahead of time by attending open houses and continuously refining your wish list, your chances of having buyer’s remorse go way down. When you know exactly what you need and want, you can make an offer quickly and confidently when the time comes.
Reason #4: You can take your virtual search offline
Modern technology is great—there’s no argument there. But there really isn’t a replacement for seeing something with your own eyes. Arguably, one of the most helpful reasons to view multiple homes in person is to get a good idea about what different home sizes, shapes, and floor plans actually look and feel like. After viewing several homes, you may find you can live with less space. Conversely, you may learn that you need to bump up your square footage requirements to have additional room to grow into.
Reason #5: You’ll get a good feel for the neighborhood
There’s no better way to check out a neighborhood than to attend an open house in one. While you’re there, ask the Realtor to give you insight into the area. Does this neighborhood have a lot of amenities? Is it a more private environment, or is it a community filled with young families? Whatever you desire, talk to the Realtor at the open house about your preferences and take some time to walk around to get a better feel for the area.
Reason #6: You might find the perfect real estate agent
It’s never too early in the home buying process to enlist the help of a qualified professional Realtor. If you don’t have a great local real estate agent in mind, attending an open house is a great way to find one. By dropping in at an agent’s open house, you’ll have the opportunity to meet them and see them in action. Be sure to strike up a conversation and exchange information if you have a good connection.
Questions to think about during an open house visit
Many questions will naturally come up as you tour an open house room by room. In order to take advantage of the unique opportunities present during open house events, you should arrive prepared to think about important questions related to the home itself, as well as what you’re looking for.
- How big of a home do you want or need? What’s your square footage preference?
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need?
- Do you need a bonus/flex space?
- Do you need a home office?
- What type of layout do you prefer? Open? Separate spaces? Etc.
- What is your preferred amount of closet space and/or storage space?
- What is the average age of the major appliances and systems in the home?
- What are your lawn preferences? Do you want a low-maintenance yard, or are you okay with a bit of regular yard work?
- Do you want to buy in a neighborhood that has an HOA?
- What type of neighborhood amenities are you looking for?
- How updated do you want the home to be?
- How close do you want to be to work and nearby conveniences?
Read more: 9 Important questions to ask at open houses (and 6 you should be prepared to answer)
Plan your next open house visit!
Several times a year across our footprint, agents open doors together so buyers can explore more homes and sellers can reach more people, all at once. When we coordinate local showings into one powerhouse weekend, you get better variety, easier viewing schedules, and the first look at the most competitive homes on the market.
Don’t miss your chance to attend our upcoming Big Open House Event, April 18–19!
Learn more about how to participate and find open houses near you.
Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate is the #1 real estate company in the Carolinas, with more than 80 offices and 1,800 agents serving communities across North and South Carolina and Georgia. As part of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, the largest family-owned and operated real estate company in the United States, Howard Hanna Allen Tate offers a full suite of real estate services, including mortgage, insurance, title and relocation. For more information, visit howardhannatate.com.
