20 questions to ask at an open home

May 20, 2025

20 QUESTIONS TO ASK AT AN OPEN HOME

TIPS  ON MAXIMISING  YOUR  TIME AT OPEN HOMES AND PRIVATE INSPECTIONS

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INTRODUCTION

Hi there house hunter.

Welcome to "20 Questions to Ask at an Open Home," a valuable resource designed to help you make the most of your time when viewing potential properties.


Attending open homes is an exciting step in your property journey, but it can also be overwhelming. There is more to it than just looking at the house and this guide aims to provide you with a structured approach, ensuring you gather all the essential information you need to make informed decisions.


By asking the right questions, you can uncover details that might not be immediately obvious and gain deeper insights into the property’s true value along with important information that will help you angle future negotiations to your advantage. 

This resource is tailored to help you focus on key aspects such as the condition of the home, it’s history, and the neighborhood. Armed with these questions, you'll be better prepared to identify any red flags and assess whether a property truly meets your needs.


Buying a home is a significant investment, and being well-prepared is crucial. Use this guide to navigate open homes confidently, ask the critical questions, and ultimately find the perfect home that fits your lifestyle and goals.


Happy house hunting! 

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THE GOOD STUFF

The questions you need to ask.


  1. Why is the home on the market?
  2. Have the owners already bought elsewhere?
  3. What are the owner’s preferred settlement terms?
  4. Is this your pricing or the owners?
  5. How flexible are the owners on price?
  6. Are the owners just testing the market or are they ready to sell?
  7. What price did you tell the owners you thought it was worth?
  8. What evidence do you have for that price?
  9. Are there any issues with the property/ neighbours/ street/ area?
  10. Have any offers been made? (and if yes) Why didn't they go ahead?
  11. How do you handle a multiple offer situation?
  12. Is there a deadline for getting offers in?
  13. Are there any points of concern in the reports or contract?
  14. Do you have proof of the repair works being done?
  15. Has the price been reduced?
  16. How long has the property been on the market for?
  17. What is the sellers timeline?
  18. What else should you be telling me about this home?
  19. What development applications or suburb changes are in the pipeline here?
  20. How can I buy this home if I am interested?

CONCLUSION

This is just the beginning. 

At Hyde Burchell Buyers Agents, we believe property buyers in Canberra deserve the same expertise and support as sellers and this complimentary resource is just one of many we offer to start you on your property journey with confidence. You can check them all out  here.


However we understand that buying a property is about more than just bricks and mortar, so with services starting at just $1000+gst, we offer a range of solutions designed to suit every budget, making empowered property purchases in Canberra accessible to all.


Whether you're a local Canberran searching for your next home, relocating to our beautiful city, or contemplating a change in your housing situation, partnering with us ensures you reclaim your time, alleviate concerns about overpaying, and make well-informed decisions backed by our deep local market expertise and respected position as Canberra’s preferred buyers agency.


If you need more assistance or prefer not to navigate this journey alone, we're here to help. Reach out and have a conversation with us today

Penny and Ian — Hyde Burchell Buyers Agents In Canberra, ACT
Penny — Hyde Burchell Buyers Agents In Canberra, ACT
Ian — Hyde Burchell Buyers Agents In Canberra, ACT
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What If You Don’t Use a Buyers Agent? Technically, you can buy a home without a buyers agent — but it’s a little like going to court without a lawyer. You’re dealing with contracts, negotiations, inspections, and a six-figure investment. Also, if you go straight to the listing agent, they represent the seller, not you. They may be friendly and helpful, but their job is to get the best deal for the seller, not for you. In most cases, having a buyers agent saves you more than it cost you in time, stress, and money in the long run. Buyers agents typically charge either a fixed fee or a percentage of the purchase price, this will vary depending on the length and breadth of experience of the agents in the industry and in the Canberra property market. The percentage based model will have agencies charging between 1% & 3% of the purchase price usually with an upfront engagement fee paid at the commencement of the search with the remainder paid upon exchange of contracts on the property. Some agencies like ours, Hyde Burchell Buyers Agents, charge a flat fee that varies depending on the service that best suits your needs and budget. In the past we have swayed between a fixed or percentage model but we find that our clients prefer to know what the total cost will be regardless of the end purchase price of the property. With a fixed fee, they know our intention is to always find the most suitable property and not the most expensive one. Some important factors to consider when choosing a buyers agent and considering the fees against other agencies are. Is the buyers agency totally independent and not part of a selling agency or development company Do the buyers agents work fulltime in the industry and have a bricks and mortar office that you could visit if you chose to? Does your buyers agent use the latest technology and software so that the process is as seamless as possible? Has your buyers agent just finished an online course and is now dabbling in the real estate space part time to earn some extra income or are they a seasoned professional? Is your buyers agent based in Canberra and not working behind a laptop from another part of Australia and directing you to properties based on data alone and not local knowledge? Hyde Burchell Buyers agents offer fixed fee prices for a variety of services including downsizers, auction bidding, investors and first time buyers.