What’s the Right Way To Attend an Open House in New Hampshire?

Open houses are your chance to explore the property properly, but remember that overstepping boundaries can backfire

What’s the right way to attend an open house? Whether you’ve bought a home before or you’re just starting your journey, open houses can be both exciting and a little overwhelming. More importantly, they’re a great chance to check out potential homes in a no-pressure setting. But here’s the thing: how you show up and behave at an open house actually matters a lot.

If you’re attending an open house soon, I’ll walk you through the dos and don’ts that can help you get the most out of these events, leave a great impression, and gather the info you really need.

The DOs of open houses:

1. Do arrive early or on time. Showing up early makes a big difference. When you arrive in the first half of the open house window, you have time to relax, walk through the space, and actually think about the layout. It also shows that you respect the seller’s time as well as your agent’s.

2. Do sign in.  Even when you’re already working with a real estate agent, you still have to sign in. It’s not just a formality because it helps keep you in the loop if anything changes about the listing later.

3. Do be courteous. This one feels obvious, but it’s worth saying: treat the home like how you would want someone to treat yours. If there’s a sign asking to remove your shoes, I do it. Additionally, don’t touch people’s personal stuff, and try not to get in the way of other visitors.

"Being polite, curious, and prepared helps everyone have a smoother open house experience."

4. Do ask questions. Open houses are a great time to ask things like: How old is the roof? Have there been any recent upgrades? What are the neighborhood perks? Whether it’s your agent or the hosting agent, use that time to get answers.

5. Do take notes or photos (if allowed).  When touring several homes in one day, you should know how easy it is to forget which one had the big pantry or the cool backyard. So if it’s okay with the agent, snap a few pictures or jot down notes to help keep everything straight later.

The DON'Ts of open houses:

1. Don’t arrive at the last minute. Trust me—walking in five minutes before the end of an open house feels rushed and awkward. You can’t get the full picture of the home, and you can end up stressing yourself (and possibly holding up the agent).

2. Don’t treat it like a personal inspection. Sure, it’s fine to open built-in cabinets or closets, but don’t go poking around like you’re the home inspector. This isn’t the time to test outlets or pull up carpet corners. That level of digging comes after an offer has been made.

3. Don’t damage or move anything. Always be careful not to break or force anything. No disassembling furniture or tugging on stuck drawers. After all, it’s still someone’s home, and being respectful is key.

At the end of the day, open houses are all about first impressions for both you and the home. Being polite, curious, and prepared helps everyone have a smoother experience. That little bit of effort could help you find the right place that much faster.

If you ever have questions about real estate, the Hvizda Realty Group is ready to help every step of the way. For more tips, don’t hesitate to call us at (603) 557-6661 or send an email to rhvizda@kw.com. Happy house hunting!