You may come across a home for sale that piques your attention, but now what? A great step as a homebuyer is to attend an open house to get a better idea if the property is truly to your liking.
A home showing can take around 45 minutes for small properties and even a few hours for larger homes, so before attending a showing, it is essential to prepare to make the most out of your time.
Before attending a home showing, it’s beneficial to review the listing, even if you’ve seen it before. This gives you a chance to make sure it has the basics of what you’re searching for (at minimum, in writing).
It also lets you examine if the home meets both your short and long-term expectations. For example, a single family home with 3 bedrooms may fit your current needs, but if you plan to have kids later, the home may not be suitable.
Before taking time out of your schedule to attend an open house, examine your finances to make sure the home falls within your home buying budget.
A great step is to get preapproved for a mortgage loan before attending an open house, so you can get a clear picture of the funds you have to work with. With this knowledge, you can narrow down the house showings you attend to match your home buying budget, and waste less time on properties outside your spending plan.
An open house is a great opportunity to walk around and learn more about a residence in person to decide if it’s the right homebuying choice. During this time, asking questions about the home can give you immense insight into what the property has to offer, repairs needing to be made, neighborhood lifestyle and more.
To take the guesswork out of homebuying, consider working with a real estate agent who can narrow down your options to listings best suiting your needs. With a real estate agent by your side and using the aforementioned tips, you can make the most out of the home showing you attend.
I am a real estate broker, property manager, and investor, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. To each client, I bring close to a decade of experience in real estate, first as a real estate investor, then manager, and now love to share my experience and knowledge with property buyers and sellers as a real estate broker. Since attending the University of Michigan in 2005, I have lived in Ann Arbor ever since. My exceptional knowledge of the market as an investor and property manager provides a unique perspective and competitive advantage to my clients for selling and buying both residential and investment properties.
I have successfully managed investment properties in Ypsilanti and Kalamazoo and have conducted real estate transactions throughout southeast Michigan. Whether clients are looking for their first home, vacation homes, or the home of their dreams, I will be able to stay on top of the process, remove obstacles and make the real estate deals as pleasurable as possible. I enjoy working with people and finding ways to share a laugh or two in the process. I take pride in being available to my clients and being responsive to their needs.
In addition to my residential property expertise, and my multicultural background, I am capable of working with international investors and home buyers to make their international property purchases smoother and trouble-free. If you are interested in the acquisition of investment homes for your children while they attend the University of Michigan, as a property manager, investor, and broker, I will be able to help you make that reality come true.
I graduated from the University of Michigan and own and operate several businesses in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. In addition to my real estate experience, I am also a technology enthusiast and am always on the hunt to use technology and media to enhance the buying and selling experience.
If you are looking to make your first home purchase, or are trying to sell your home, give me a call and I can guide you through the services that I can offer you to help you start along the journey. I take great pride in my work and it would be an honor for me to represent you and your needs.
Yours truly, Vincent Zhang