Open Houses are one of the best ways to see a home you might want to buy, so we have some tips to get the most out of your Open House experience.

Do: Discuss the open house with your agent.

The best part about working with an agent is that they can get you individual appointments in the houses that you like best, so communicate with them about which of the houses that you visited are worth viewing again!

Don’t: Forget that the agent in the house works for the seller.

The agents that are in the house are there to answer your questions, but they aren’t there to help you write an offer. If you are interested in buying the home, reach out to your agent so that they can get in touch with the seller’s agent.

Do: Guard your privacy.

Real Estate is all about negotiation, so try not to be too transparent about your budget or how much you love the home. If you are interested enough to put an offer in, be sure to let your agent do all of the talking, they might be able to negotiate you a better deal!

Don’t: Be rude.

If you don’t like a home, briskly walk through it and observe, but there is no need to be unnecessarily rude. Homeowners are sometimes on the premises, and it’s not a good look to go into someone’s home just to speak poorly about it.

Do: Stay attentive.

Pay attention to what the other potential buyers are saying and observe how many others have signed in before you. Not only is it good to know what your competition is thinking, they may have also caught something crucial about the property that you missed! Do: Consult a Local Realtor Purchasing a home in today's competitive real estate market can be a giant undertaking. If you are like most people, you'll probably want some advice along the way. Not everyone with a real estate license is equally equipped to help you find the right home, at the right price for you and your family. Our dedication to you and your understanding of the home ownership process sets us apart. We offer a FREE, No Obligation Home Buyer Consultation, during which you will discover every step of the process, different financing options and home buying programs that may be available to you, a real time technology program that puts the latest real estate listing updates in the palm of your hand and much more! 

Growing up, most of us imagined living in a home that we owned. A home that we could decorate to our perfection, and a place with a big enough backyard for the kids and dogs to run free in.

For many though, it is hard to take the leap and buy a home. That is why here at E Z Home Search Real Estate we want to give you a comprehensive buying guide so that you don’t feel alone when you start the search for your perfect home.

In Part 1 and Part 2 of this guide we talked about the top reasons to buy a home as well as five tips that you should know before you make the purchase. In Part 3 we will discuss the process of picking a qualified agent, and the questions that you should ask your agent before you buy.

First of all, let us inform you that not all agents are the same. All too often people pick the first agent they stumble upon only to realize too far into the process that they should have shopped around a bit first. Buying a home is one of the biggest purchase decisions you will ever make, so why not get the best of the best to help you through the process?

When you are ready to buy a home the first thing you should do is ask the people around you who they trusted to get them their dream home. Use their suggestions as a starting point in your search for the agent who will work best for you.

Once you have found an appealing agent you should consider asking them the following questions.

Can you send me some information about yourself?

Look for professionalism and consistency. What are their professional accomplishments?.

How many homes have you closed in the past year?

Look for an agent who is active in your area and at the top of their industry. Part-time agents are not able to keep up with the constantly changing demands of the market. A good rule of thumb is a minimum of 10-15 transactions.

How long have you been in business?

Look for an agent that has been in the business for a minimum of three years. The fall-out ratio for agents in the business less than 3 years is over 80%. While experience is important, accomplishments are more important. You should also consider how long they have worked in the area you want to buy a home specifically. The longer they have worked in the area, the more they know about that specific market and what is considered a “good deal” in that neighborhood.

What will you do keep me informed?

Determine how much communication you want, and then find an agent who will give you the attention and time you want and deserve.

What is the best way for me to get in touch with you?

You should know exactly how to get through to your agent or assistant.

What awards or accolades have you received in the past couple of years?

Make sure that your agent is a professional, well regarded and at the top of the industry. They will be more knowledgeable and will be able to best represent your interests based on experience and reputation.

If you follow this guideline, there is a better chance of having a great experience while purchasing your home. The process itself is stressful enough, do not let an under qualified agent add to that. Don't miss Part 4 where we give you 10 must do steps to becoming a homeowner. Don't want to wait for Part 4? Click Here for instant access to our Special Home Buyer Guide packed full of insider tips to help you save thousands when finding, buying and financing your next home.

Do you have any more pointers for new buyers? Leave them know by posting a comment below!

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Mariah Terry is passionate writer and blogger studying Journalism at Emerson College with a minor in Marketing. See her work at mariahjterry.wix.com/reblogs.