Open Home Guide

Make the most of an open home

An open home lets you test whether a property suits your needs and decide which questions to research next. Before you go, note your budget and must-haves, then check current Marshland open-home times. If you want to take photos during a viewing, ask the agent first.

Look beyond the presentation

• Exterior and street: notice roof and cladding condition, section size, access and traffic or street noise.
• Layout and comfort: consider natural light, indoor flow, bedroom sizes, storage, heating and insulation.
• Kitchen, bathrooms and upkeep: check appliances and plumbing, ventilation, signs of damp, cracks and the general state of repairs.
• Neighbourhood: consider transport, shops, parks, schools and how the area feels at the times you would be there.

Ask the listing agent about the property’s age, known renovations and consents, rates, available reports and sale method. Take notes so you can compare properties using the same criteria. A viewing is a starting point, not a building inspection: if a home interests you, ask your lawyer about the title and council documents and consider an independent property inspector. Settled’s open-home guidance explains what to check next.

Keep a checklist with you

Our existing Ray White Marshland image checklist covers exterior, bedrooms, living spaces, heating, kitchens and bathrooms, maintenance, neighbourhood and questions for the agent. Open the full-size open-home checklist image. The image below repeats these prompts visually.

If a property is worth pursuing, read our buyer preparation guide and sale-method guide before deciding whether and how to make an offer.