What to Expect From an Open House

Do you find yourself overwhelmed in your search for the perfect home? Are you still asking yourself what you absolutely need and what you’re willing to sacrifice in order to not exceed your price range?

Going to an open house is the ideal way to determine all this, in addition to:

  • what kind of neighbourhood you would like to live in
  • what the demand is for property in your area of choice

The latter can easily be determined by the turnout. If there are quite a lot of visitors, this is a good indicator of the home’s resell value. It means already, home shoppers are interested in the property—and that’s without any renovations and modern upgrade you may do over the years after you’ve moved in.

Take a look around the neighbourhood

Going to an open house offers you a chance to scout the area. You’re not on-appointment, so take your time to drive around, walk to the bus stop, and see what’s in proximity. It’s also a good idea to pay attention to the conditions of the surrounding houses and parks. It’ll give you a sense of the neighbourhood conditions and upkeep.

Give yourself a good tour

Open houses also give you the chance to poke around! Check the water pressure from all the faucets (including the shower head), peek inside the cupboards, examine the closet space, open drawers, look closely for any chipped flooring, cracks in the wall, etc. Don’t forget to check the views from the windows! Dig beyond what’s listed.

Ask the agent anything

Open houses have an agent on duty, so take full advantage their presence.  Ask them about the home’s sale history, when the home was listed, recent renovations or electrical problems—whatever will offer you a more in-depth analysis that will help you determine whether the property value is worth its listed price.

Talk to the neighbours

During an open house, curious neighbours often drop by to take a peek inside. Talk to them and get to know the community! You can usually get a great sense of a place after you’ve spoken to the inhabitants and tested out the vibe.

Keep your ears open

What are the other visitors saying? Maybe they noticed something you didn’t. It’s easy to get dazzled by the staged furniture and fresh-baked cookies.  Remember, sellers have worked hard to make their space feel homey and welcome; your job is to look past that.

Need some realty advice from the pros? Contact us today and we’ll help you get the most out of your open house experience.

Winter Activities in the Niagara Region

Winter in Niagara is a spectacular sight. The charming scape of trees, homes, and ornamental lamp posts adorned with flawless snowflakes; roads and parks sparkling white underneath the bright sun; and families spending time outdoors and participating in the array of activities Niagara has to offer.

Luckily, we still have about a month left of winter! Here’s how you can make the most of it.

Journey Behind the Falls

Not many people can say they’ve seen the Falls from this perspective. Journey down below by taking an elevator down 150 feet and walking through rocky tunnels leading to the Cataract Portal and Great Falls Portal. Stand in the mist where the cascades fall from 13 storeys above! Revel in the thunderous sounds of the magnificent Falls.

Niagara Vintage Wine Tour

You don’t have to be a wine connoisseur to appreciate Niagara’s wine country. Explore Niagara’s world famous wineries and taste the region’s very own ice wine! See the vineyards like no one has seen it before—snowy paths criss-crossing in large fields, icicles protruding down mountaintops, and icy rivers frozen in place. It’s a hidden winter wonderland.

Snow Exhibition

Until April 26, the Niagara Falls History Museum is hosting an exhibition on snow and how it’s shaped our cultural identity and its love-hate relationship with the First People who arrived in North America. Get to know artefacts that helped keep the First People warm, like boots made out of sealskin and caribou hide and eyeglasses dating back to 1300 made from walrus ivory. There are also tons of interactive activities, like trying on a snowshoeing outfit and listening to a recorded series about how Canada’s early settlers adapted to our cold winters. This exhibition is the first of its kind in Canada!

Northern Owls Exhibit

See owl specimens mounted in their natural habitat and learn everything there is to know about these mystical birds at the Butterfly Conservatory! With each display, you’ll learn about fascinating characteristics of the owl related to their behaviour, biology, and lifestyle. The specimens featured are: Eastern Screech Owls, Short-eared Owl, Long-eared Owl, Northern Hask Owl, Great Horned Owl, Boreal Owl, Barred Owl, Snowy Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl and the Great Gray Owl.