Open Houses or Private Appointments?
Vancouver, BC.
It depends on the amount of time you CHOOSE to devote to your home search. As your motivation to buy versus merely shop increases, I would highly recommend travelling with your Realtor. Make use of their expertise in viewings, their eyes and ears are tuned to a higher frequency.
During Open Houses the listing agent can rarely get away to show you things that you need to see, and has often constructed to accept offers soon afterwards.
And if you are ready and able to secure that property with an offer, then DON'T wait for the Open House. Get in there ahead of time. Have your Realtor bring you up to speed on the neighborhood, the building if it is a condo, and maybe even discuss with your mortgage broker if the building is on a no-go list.
Crowds at an Open House can make it difficult to have a thorough look, and also difficult not to let panic set in that someone else may buy "your" new home. It also discourages discussions that you don't want others to overhear.
So, while in the research phase- shop at as many Open Houses as you can. But when you are closer to buying- MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ! You will be so much calmer and confident as you proceed with making that offer to secure the property for your own.
Happy home hunting,
Vancouver Realtor for BUSY people. 604-313-8732