April 20th and 21st: Nationwide Open House Weekend

This weekend, April 20 and 21, thousands of REALTORS® from around the country will be holding open houses as a part of the Nationwide Open House Weekend event, sponsored by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

This event is intended to provide buyers with an ideal, low-pressure opportunity to tour homes that are currently for sale. Even with the vast changes technology has brought to real estate, open houses are still considered an important part of the home search process. In fact, according to the National Association of REALTORS 2012 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 45 percent of all buyers use open houses as a source in their home search.   

For those who plan to tour open houses this weekend, here are some tips to help you get started:

Make a plan:

Pick a neighborhood or a route you are interested in and map out your open houses to make your day efficient. If you are planning on having lunch, pick a local restaurant to get a feel for the neighborhood.

Explore:

Walk around the neighborhood and familiarize yourself with the local amenities. If you are considering moving to the area, this will help you get a feel for it.

Dress for success:

Wear comfortable and casual clothes while house hunting. Also, consider wearing shoes that are easy to slip on and off when requested.

To find homes that are participating in this weekend’s Nationwide Open House event, contact your real estate agent, or a local Windermere Real Estate office. You can also find upcoming open houses at Windermere.com/Search.