September is National Open House Month for BHGRE®. So, if you’re in the process of purchasing a new home, you’re in luck!

National Open House Month is the company’s invitation for the consumer to come by and preview a home. It doesn’t matter whether you’re buying or selling a home, it’s a wonderful opportunity to participate in the real estate game, visit potential houses and meet committed real estate professionals.

You don’t have to have an appointment to stop by, the open houses are for anyone to attend. All you have to do is arrive at the home, ring the doorbell, and the agent will be there to welcome you.

How Can You Find an Open House?

You can begin this exciting journey by searching online and using the keywords “real estate,” “open houses” and the town that you would like to look in. You can check the BHGRE® website or the BHG Rand Realty website to locate an affiliated office near your home. Afterwards, you can directly contact an agent from said office to find out about open houses in your area.

Another method for open-house searching is to take a Sunday drive, seeing as we’re on the verge of pleasant fall weather. When you visit the towns and neighborhoods you’re most interested in, chances are you’ll find many signs that will direct you to the open houses in that particular area.

What Can You Get Out of an Open House?

If you’re looking to buy a home, don’t be afraid to ask the associates as many questions as you can. That’s what they’re there for. There are many factors that go into purchasing a home, so be sure to inquire about whatever comes to mind, such as the quality of the neighborhood, the school system and any other special features about the property.

As you’re searching for a new home, it’s evident that the more open houses you visit, the more real estate agents you’ll have with whom you’ll be interacting. Make sure to be honest with the real estate professional who is representing the home and let them know that you are already working with someone else. So, if you’re visiting an open house on your own, be sure to ask your current agent for a stack of their business cards.

When visiting an open house, always be sure to sign in because the real estate professional is responsible for the home and the current homeowners are interested in who has visited their house. There might be some additional forms handed out at the open house, but there won’t be a need to sign anything else.

If you’re planning on selling your home, use your time at the open house to interview the real estate professional. See how the agent markets the home and how well they answer your questions. The time you spend with an agent will provide you with an idea of whether you’ll be able to work with them in the future.

But Wait, There’s More!

If you choose to attend any of the BHGRE® open houses during the month of September, you will also have the opportunity to participate in a special sweepstakes. When you arrive at the house, take a selfie in front of the BHGRE® “For Sale” sign, upload it to your favorite social media platform, be it Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Tumblr, accompanied with the hashtag #BHGRESweeps and a hashtag of the first and last name of the BHGRE® real estate professional who’s hosting the open house.

Sounds easy and fun, right? Well, when you take part in the sweepstakes, your entry will also give you the chance to win $2,500.00!

For more information on the Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Open House Sweepstakes, visit their Facebook page. While you’re there, make sure to “Like” the page.

To learn more about Rand Realty, visit their Facebook page and “Like” their page.

Best of luck, and happy house-hunting!