Touring Homes: A Checklist for Showings and Open Houses
Touring homes is where a search gets real. It's also where details are easy to miss. After a few showings in one afternoon, the homes start to blur together, and the question you meant to ask about the roof or the water heater gets lost.
This checklist covers what to do before, during and after a showing or open house, so you can compare homes clearly and know which ones deserve a closer look. A tour isn't a substitute for a professional inspection. It's how you decide which homes are worth inspecting.
Before You Go
- Know your must-haves. Write down the few features you can't do without and the ones you'd like but could trade away. It makes it easier to rule homes in or out quickly.
- Get pre-approved. Knowing your price range before you tour helps you focus on homes that fit your budget. A pre-approval is based on a lender's initial review and is not a final loan approval. See pre-qualified vs. pre-approved for the difference.
- Understand any agreement you're asked to sign. Many agents ask buyers to sign a written agreement before touring homes together. Requirements vary by state, brokerage and MLS. Read it before you sign, and ask about anything that isn't clear. This explainer on written buyer agreements covers what they typically include.
- Bring a few tools. Your phone for notes and, if allowed, photos, plus a small notebook or printed checklist and a tape measure if furniture fit matters to you.
- Keep the list manageable. Touring a handful of homes at a time can make each one easier to remember.
Showing vs. Open House: What's Different
At a private showing, you typically tour with your agent at a scheduled time and can usually take your time. At an open house, the home is open to the public during set hours, the listing agent or someone working with them is often there, and other buyers may be walking through at the same time.
A few things to keep in mind at an open house:
- The person hosting typically works for the seller (agency rules vary by state). Anything you share, such as how much you'd be willing to pay or how quickly you need to move, may be passed along.
- You may be asked to sign in. If you're already working with an agent, it's common to mention that.
- If you like a home you saw at an open house, your own agent can schedule a private showing for a closer look.
During the Tour: What to Look At
You don't need to be an expert. You're looking for signs that a home fits your needs, and for anything worth asking about or having a professional examine later.
Layout and Space
- Does the layout work for how you live day to day?
- Is there enough storage, including closets, garage and attic space?
- Will your furniture fit? Measure key rooms if it matters.
- How much natural light do the main rooms get?
Signs Worth Asking About
- Water stains on ceilings or walls, or a musty smell, especially in basements, near crawlspace access and under sinks
- Cracks in walls, ceilings or floors, or doors and windows that stick
- Soft spots in floors
- The approximate age of the roof, HVAC system and water heater (labels on equipment sometimes show a date)
- Fresh paint in just one spot, which may be cosmetic or may be covering something worth asking about
None of these automatically means a problem. They're reasons to ask questions and to make sure your inspector looks closely. This guide to what a home inspection can and can't tell you explains what happens at that next stage.
Light Checks You Can Make
Many showings allow simple checks like these. Ask your agent first if you're unsure.
- Run a faucet to get a feel for water pressure and how long hot water takes
- Open and close a few windows and doors
- Notice whether the home feels evenly heated or cooled
- Look for outlets where you'd need them
Look Beyond the Walls
- Outside the home. Check drainage around the foundation, the condition of the yard, fencing and any outbuildings.
- The street and surroundings. If you can, visit at different times of day and on different days. Notice traffic, noise, parking and lighting.
- Flood and insurance factors. Ask whether the home is in a flood zone and how that might affect insurance. See flood zones and what buyers should check. A licensed insurance agent can give you quotes before you make an offer.
- School assignment and other facts that matter to you. If school assignment matters, confirm it with the school district directly, since boundaries can change. For other questions about an area, official public sources are a good place to start.
- Community association rules. If the home is in an HOA or condo association, ask about dues and rules early.
Showing Etiquette
- Ask before taking photos or video. Some sellers allow it for your notes, and some don't.
- Respect personal belongings. Don't open private drawers or handle personal items. Ask before opening closets or cabinets if you're unsure.
- Assume you may be recorded. Some homes have cameras or audio devices, and recording laws vary by state. Save price talk and strategy for after you leave.
- Leave things as you found them. Follow any instructions about lights, doors and pets.
After Each Tour
- Write notes and rate the home right away, before the next showing.
- Label your photos by address.
- List your open questions for your agent, such as how long the home has been listed, any price changes and what the seller's disclosures say, where your state requires them.
- Rank the homes you've seen against your must-haves.
If a home makes your shortlist, a second visit, ideally at a different time of day, can help confirm your first impression before you make an offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many homes should I tour before making an offer?
There's no right number. Some buyers find the right home quickly, while others tour many. What matters is understanding your options and your must-haves well enough to recognize a good fit.
Do I need an agent with me to go to an open house?
Usually not. Open houses are typically open to the public. If you're working with an agent, it's common to let the host know, and your agent can arrange a private showing later.
Can I take pictures during a showing?
Ask first. Many sellers allow photos for your own notes, but some don't. Avoid photographing personal items.
Should I bring a home inspector to a showing?
Usually the professional inspection happens after your offer is accepted, during the inspection or due diligence period your contract sets out. A first showing is for deciding whether the home is worth pursuing.
The Bottom Line
A little structure makes home tours more useful. Know your must-haves before you go, look for signs worth asking about, remember who the open house host represents, and write notes before the next showing. Then let a professional inspection handle what a tour can't.
This article is general information, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Buyer agreement requirements, showing practices and recording laws vary by state, brokerage and MLS. A pre-approval is not a commitment to lend, and all loans are subject to credit approval. Talk with your agent and other licensed professionals about your situation. Advice4Homeownership is a publisher, not a lender.
