Guide
Open House Checklist: What to Bring, Ask, and Look For
Bring a notebook, a tape measure, and a flashlight, and go in with a short list of questions about age, condition, and cost — taxes, HOA fees, the roof, and the HVAC system. Walk every room, check for water stains and uneven floors, and write down your impressions before you leave for the next showing.
What to bring
- A photo ID — many agents ask visitors to sign in with one before touring the home.
- A notebook or note-taking app — paper notes get lost, and memory fades fast after the third or fourth house.
- A tape measure, to check that your furniture and rugs will actually fit.
- A flashlight, for a real look in closets, basements, and crawl spaces.
- Your mortgage pre-approval letter, if you're far enough along to be ready to make an offer.
- A short list of your must-haves, so staging doesn't distract you from what actually matters.
Questions to ask
- How old is the roof, HVAC system, and water heater?
- Have there been any recent repairs or renovations — and were they permitted?
- What are the monthly HOA fees, and what do they cover?
- What are the property taxes, and are they likely to change after a sale?
- How long has the home been on the market, and has the price changed?
- Why are the sellers moving?
What to look for
- Water stains on ceilings or walls, especially near bathrooms and the roofline.
- Cracks in the foundation, walls, or driveway.
- Uneven or sloping floors.
- Musty odors, which can point to mold or moisture problems.
- Storage: are the closets, cabinets, and garage actually big enough for your stuff?
- Cell signal and street noise — hard to fix, easy to miss on a quick walkthrough.
Keeping it all straight
The hard part usually isn't any single showing — it's remembering which house had the good light, which one had the noisy street, and which questions you actually got answers to, once you've toured five or six homes in a weekend.
Property Notepad turns this checklist into your actual scorecard: save these questions as criteria once, then score every property you tour against the same list, with photos and notes tied to the exact address and time. When it's down to a shortlist, you're comparing real notes side by side instead of trying to remember which kitchen was which.
Frequently asked questions
What should I bring to an open house?
A photo ID (many agents ask visitors to sign in with one), a notebook or note-taking app, a tape measure (or a measuring app), a flashlight to check for water damage in dark corners, and your mortgage pre-approval letter if you're ready to make offers. Bring a list of your must-haves so you don't get swept up in staging and forget what actually matters to you.
How long should I spend at an open house?
For a serious look, plan on 15-30 minutes: enough time to walk every room, open closets and cabinets, check water pressure, and jot down your impressions before you forget them at the next house.
Should I take photos at an open house?
Yes. Photos are the fastest way to remember a property accurately later, especially if you're touring several homes in one day. Tie each photo to notes about that specific property so you don't mix up which kitchen belonged to which address.