An open home helps you decide whether a property deserves a closer look. Use it to compare how the home would work for you, then follow up with the documents and professional advice needed for a purchase.
Read the listing and note the sale method and any closing date. Bring a short list of your essentials and questions, rather than relying on memory. Check the advertised open-home times; if they do not suit, ask the listing salesperson about a private viewing.
Think about the route from the car to the kitchen, where wet coats and sports gear would go, and whether bedrooms have the storage and separation you need. Look at sunlight, privacy, heating, ventilation and the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. Ask permission before taking photographs or testing fixtures.
Look for signs that deserve further investigation, including damp smells, staining, damaged cladding or cracks around retaining walls. A viewing is not a building inspection. Note concerns and ask a qualified inspector what they mean rather than assuming a fresh finish resolves them. Settled’s open-home guidance includes a checklist you can take with you.
Request the available property information and ask about known defects, alterations and included chattels. Your lawyer can review the title and its rights or restrictions, the LIM and relevant council file. An independent building inspection and confirmation of insurance may also be important. Settled explains those property checks and why the documents serve different purposes.
Visit the street at a time relevant to your routine. Try the actual route to work, shops or public transport and check current school enrolment zones directly where they matter. On the Coast, ask property-specific questions about drainage, exposure and maintenance. Council’s maps and property tools provide a starting point for planning and hazard enquiries; they do not replace advice about a particular site.
After the viewing, record what fits, what needs work and what you still need to establish. Discuss your shortlist with your advisers before making an offer. For another look or a property information pack, contact the listing salesperson or call 04 296 6900.