How to Find Open Houses and Plan Your Visiting Strategy
Learn how to efficiently find open houses and strategically plan your property visits.
Open houses offer a direct way to explore properties without a scheduled appointment. These events, typically hosted by a real estate agent for a few hours on a weekend, allow prospective buyers to walk through a home and get a feel for the space. Effectively locating and planning visits to these opportunities is a valuable step in the home search process.
Online Search Platforms
The internet is a primary starting point for discovering open houses. Major real estate websites like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com allow users to apply filters specifically for open houses, often found under a “more filters” or “open house” tab. These platforms provide detailed listings, including photos and descriptions, which help in preliminary screening. Many sites and their mobile applications enable users to set up alerts for new open houses matching saved criteria like location, price range, or number of bedrooms.
Individual real estate brokerage and agent websites also frequently list their own open houses, sometimes before they appear on larger aggregators. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are useful, with many local real estate groups or agents announcing schedules. Searching with hashtags like #openhouse followed by your city can yield results. Simple search engine queries like “open houses near me” or “open houses [city/zip code] this weekend” can also direct you to current listings.
Offline and Community Resources
While online tools are prevalent, traditional methods remain relevant for discovering open houses. Driving through neighborhoods of interest can reveal “Open House” signs placed directly in front of properties, especially on weekends. These signs often include directional arrows. This approach also offers a firsthand sense of the neighborhood’s atmosphere and surroundings.
Connecting with a local real estate agent can provide access to open house information, sometimes before it is publicly advertised. Agents often have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a database of homes for sale, and can inform you about upcoming open houses that align with your preferences. Local newspapers and real estate magazines may still feature listings, particularly in smaller communities. You might also find flyers or notices on community bulletin boards in local establishments.
Strategizing Your Open House Visits
Once you identify potential open houses, effective planning maximizes your viewing experience. Filter and prioritize properties based on your specific criteria, such as location, price range, and number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Reviewing full listing details, including photos and descriptions, online before you visit ensures the property aligns with your preferences and helps prepare specific questions.
Creating an efficient schedule and route for your visits saves time. Group multiple open houses geographically to minimize travel time, considering the scheduled timing of each event. Digital mapping tools or specialized open house apps can assist in plotting the most efficient route and managing your itinerary. Some applications optimize routes for multiple stops, accounting for traffic and time windows.