What are the ways to look inside homes for sale without anyone?
Most Popular Reply
Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
8yOriginally posted by @Tom Smith:
The reason why I don't want to look at houses without someone present is because agents job is to sell you something and because of the high pressure environment. It is like buying a car. Wouldn't you rather test drive without having someone in the car with you talking to you and trying to get you to buy afterwards? Wouldn't it be great driving test driving multiple cars without having anyone there and pressuring you to buy each car you just drove instead of test driving 5+ cars?
If I become an agent myself, is that the only way to legally check out houses? I am brand new and never owned a home before so I want to look at as many houses as possible before I buy my first property.
You seem to have an almost irrational fear of sales people. My recommendation is next time you are approached by a sales person, explain to them that you have had high pressure sales people in the past and it makes you uncomfortable. Ask for them to give you space.
Most agents are not high pressure in the manner you describe. The key is communicating your needs up front to the agent. Let them know this is your first home and you want to look at many properties before buying. Make sure the agent understands you don't respond well to high pressure and that you will want to look at many houses before making a decision. Keep in mind that in a hot real estate market properties can sell quickly. Your agent may tell you, "if you are interested let's put an offer in as soon as possible". You may view that as pressure, but they are just trying to make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity. Buying a house ins't like buying a car. Houses are one of a kind and can sell quickly.
My agent walks around the house with me and points out good and bad features. He doesn't pressure me to buy. Honestly with your lack of experience, you would really benefit from an experienced agent to show you around a home.
Even if you have your real estate license, they don't just give you a magic key to let you into any house. You need to join an agency, which means you are taking a job and you would be expected to perform (sell). If you are uncomfortable even being around a sales person, there is no way you could succeed as an agent.
26 Replies
- Real Estate Agent · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2017 · 184 posts · 87 votes8yGet an agent & do showings?
Originally posted by @Dennis Wasilewski:
Get an agent & do showings?
What do you mean? I am asking for ways to look around houses for sale without anyone. Also, I want to know if they try to sell you things at open houses and new build showings.
- Rental Property Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2017 · 298 posts · 232 votes8yOpen houses are typically great, low pressure ways to get inside houses if you are only trying to get comfortable looking at properties. They are also a great way to get to know some agents in the areas you are looking to buy in. Just curious as to why you would be looking at new builds though? That is more likely to be a higher pressure environment. One tip, if you do plan to work with a specific agent when you buy, make sure other agents doing the open houses know up front if your agent is not present with you.
- Investor · Kennedale, TX · Member since 2016 · 219 posts · 349 votes8y
I will drive by a property and get out of my car and look around if it's a vacant house. I will even peak in windows. I would never try to go inside without an open house or agent present. In Texas, there are a lot of houses with foundation problems. I look for major cracks on the outside walls and wood rot by the roof. I've even knocked on the doors of neighbors to ask them how they like living there and if there are any problems in the area. I usually don't waste my realtors time setting up an appointment to see a house until I have checked it out on my own first.
- China, ME · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes8y
@Tom Smith So just to be clear, you're asking how to go into other people's property unsupervised.
Let's say you were selling your own home. Would you let random members of the public go wandering through your home without being accompanied by someone in a position of responsibility?
- Residential Real Estate Broker · College Station, TX · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 969 votes8y
@Tom Smith. Don't know what they call it in California - In Texas it's call Trespassing!
Generally speaking at Open Houses most agents are looking to meet "Viable Prospects" - someone who is interested in utilizing the agents' services to assist in the purchase or sale of a home.
The probability of a Buyer walking into an Open House eventually buying that particular home is very low. In my 28+ years experience as an agent think I had 3 people walk into an Open House and eventually buy that specific home. From my perspective, meeting 1 or more viable prospects constituted a successful open house. If I was the Listing Agent for the home, my prime objectives were to observe the visitors reaction to how the home looked and their thoughts on the price.
- Real Estate Professional · West Palm Beach, FL · Member since 2012 · 23k+ posts · 13k+ votes8yIf you’re uncomfortable with someone talking to you to see if you’ll buy at an open house......get over it, or find a different endeavor.
- Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes8y
@Tom Smith the fact that you want to be in people's private property alone comes off as sounding creepy. If you are legitimately looking to purchase properties, then find a good realtor to help you. A realtor will try to sell you real estate, but aren't you trying to buy properties, so what is the problem? Find a realtor that isn't pushy and clearly communicate your goals in real estate.
The reason why I don't want to look at houses without someone present is because agents job is to sell you something and because of the high pressure environment. It is like buying a car. Wouldn't you rather test drive without having someone in the car with you talking to you and trying to get you to buy afterwards? Wouldn't it be great driving test driving multiple cars without having anyone there and pressuring you to buy each car you just drove instead of test driving 5+ cars?
If I become an agent myself, is that the only way to legally check out houses? I am brand new and never owned a home before so I want to look at as many houses as possible before I buy my first property.
- Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes8y
Originally posted by @Tom Smith:
The reason why I don't want to look at houses without someone present is because agents job is to sell you something and because of the high pressure environment. It is like buying a car. Wouldn't you rather test drive without having someone in the car with you talking to you and trying to get you to buy afterwards? Wouldn't it be great driving test driving multiple cars without having anyone there and pressuring you to buy each car you just drove instead of test driving 5+ cars?
If I become an agent myself, is that the only way to legally check out houses? I am brand new and never owned a home before so I want to look at as many houses as possible before I buy my first property.
You seem to have an almost irrational fear of sales people. My recommendation is next time you are approached by a sales person, explain to them that you have had high pressure sales people in the past and it makes you uncomfortable. Ask for them to give you space.
Most agents are not high pressure in the manner you describe. The key is communicating your needs up front to the agent. Let them know this is your first home and you want to look at many properties before buying. Make sure the agent understands you don't respond well to high pressure and that you will want to look at many houses before making a decision. Keep in mind that in a hot real estate market properties can sell quickly. Your agent may tell you, "if you are interested let's put an offer in as soon as possible". You may view that as pressure, but they are just trying to make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity. Buying a house ins't like buying a car. Houses are one of a kind and can sell quickly.
My agent walks around the house with me and points out good and bad features. He doesn't pressure me to buy. Honestly with your lack of experience, you would really benefit from an experienced agent to show you around a home.
Even if you have your real estate license, they don't just give you a magic key to let you into any house. You need to join an agency, which means you are taking a job and you would be expected to perform (sell). If you are uncomfortable even being around a sales person, there is no way you could succeed as an agent.
- Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes8y
Originally posted by @Tom Smith:
I just checked out rently like one of the members pointed to. Do really allow you to view the property yourself without anyone present? Are there any other services like this?
Rently is properties that are for rent. You provide one or two credit cards to gain access. So they track your identity and have credit card on file in case of damage. I believe Rently is only properties for rent, so if you are looking to buy, don't use that service. I think there is a similar service for home sales, but not sure.
Still with your lack of experience, you really should consult a realtor or just visit open houses on the weekend.
- Real Estate Agent · Columbia, SC · Member since 2016 · 13 posts · 23 votes8yGet your real estate license.
Originally posted by @Joe Splitrock:
Originally posted by @Tom Smith:
The reason why I don't want to look at houses without someone present is because agents job is to sell you something and because of the high pressure environment. It is like buying a car. Wouldn't you rather test drive without having someone in the car with you talking to you and trying to get you to buy afterwards? Wouldn't it be great driving test driving multiple cars without having anyone there and pressuring you to buy each car you just drove instead of test driving 5+ cars?
If I become an agent myself, is that the only way to legally check out houses? I am brand new and never owned a home before so I want to look at as many houses as possible before I buy my first property.
You seem to have an almost irrational fear of sales people. My recommendation is next time you are approached by a sales person, explain to them that you have had high pressure sales people in the past and it makes you uncomfortable. Ask for them to give you space.
Most agents are not high pressure in the manner you describe. The key is communicating your needs up front to the agent. Let them know this is your first home and you want to look at many properties before buying. Make sure the agent understands you don't respond well to high pressure and that you will want to look at many houses before making a decision. Keep in mind that in a hot real estate market properties can sell quickly. Your agent may tell you, "if you are interested let's put an offer in as soon as possible". You may view that as pressure, but they are just trying to make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity. Buying a house ins't like buying a car. Houses are one of a kind and can sell quickly.
My agent walks around the house with me and points out good and bad features. He doesn't pressure me to buy. Honestly with your lack of experience, you would really benefit from an experienced agent to show you around a home.
Even if you have your real estate license, they don't just give you a magic key to let you into any house. You need to join an agency, which means you are taking a job and you would be expected to perform (sell). If you are uncomfortable even being around a sales person, there is no way you could succeed as an agent.
I don't have an irrational fear of sales people. I just know that I can spend more time viewing properties without sales people there and don't want to take up all of their time and view 10+ homes. I am the type of person who likes to view a lot of properties. What kind of agent will want to keep showing you properties for months on end? lol I just don't want to waste their time. If I told them this upfront I am sure many agents would not bother correct?
- Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes8y
Originally posted by @Tom Smith:
Originally posted by @Joe Splitrock:
Originally posted by @Tom Smith:
The reason why I don't want to look at houses without someone present is because agents job is to sell you something and because of the high pressure environment. It is like buying a car. Wouldn't you rather test drive without having someone in the car with you talking to you and trying to get you to buy afterwards? Wouldn't it be great driving test driving multiple cars without having anyone there and pressuring you to buy each car you just drove instead of test driving 5+ cars?
If I become an agent myself, is that the only way to legally check out houses? I am brand new and never owned a home before so I want to look at as many houses as possible before I buy my first property.
You seem to have an almost irrational fear of sales people. My recommendation is next time you are approached by a sales person, explain to them that you have had high pressure sales people in the past and it makes you uncomfortable. Ask for them to give you space.
Most agents are not high pressure in the manner you describe. The key is communicating your needs up front to the agent. Let them know this is your first home and you want to look at many properties before buying. Make sure the agent understands you don't respond well to high pressure and that you will want to look at many houses before making a decision. Keep in mind that in a hot real estate market properties can sell quickly. Your agent may tell you, "if you are interested let's put an offer in as soon as possible". You may view that as pressure, but they are just trying to make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity. Buying a house ins't like buying a car. Houses are one of a kind and can sell quickly.
My agent walks around the house with me and points out good and bad features. He doesn't pressure me to buy. Honestly with your lack of experience, you would really benefit from an experienced agent to show you around a home.
Even if you have your real estate license, they don't just give you a magic key to let you into any house. You need to join an agency, which means you are taking a job and you would be expected to perform (sell). If you are uncomfortable even being around a sales person, there is no way you could succeed as an agent.
I don't have an irrational fear of sales people. I just know that I can spend more time viewing properties without sales people there and don't want to take up all of their time and view 10+ homes. I am the type of person who likes to view a lot of properties. What kind of agent will want to keep showing you properties for months on end? lol I just don't want to waste their time. If I told them this upfront I am sure many agents would not bother correct?
People don't just let you into their home without an agent there. In many cases, a showing needs to be scheduled ahead of time (unless it is vacant). Your agent will coordinate all this. They will ask you what you are looking for in a property and setup search criteria. They can filter houses by price, location, bedrooms, bath rooms, square feet and location. You get a list of properties and you look through the photos and locations. You pick only properties that interest you. The agent sets up the showing. An agent will have no problem showing you 10 homes or even 20 homes if that is what it takes. After you look at a home, they will ask what you like and don't like. That will help them further filter search results. The job of an agent is to help you find a home that meets your needs, not to force you to buy the first house you look at.
Of course the agent doesn't want to waste their time and I am assuming you don't either. So the goal is only looking at houses that meet your needs. In other words if the bank approves you for a $1.5 million house, they are not going to show you $2 million dollar homes. That is reasonable, right?
I am wondering, how do you know you need to look at 10+ properties over the course of months? What if the second property you look at meets all your needs? My point is it could take two house or it could take 30 houses. Since you have not even started looking, you have no idea.
If you are not ready to buy yet, then I would suggest going to open houses. That is a great way to go tire kicking and realtors will mostly leave you alone. It is also a good way to meet realtors and find one that fits your personality.
Good luck.
- Real Estate Agent · Washington, D.C. · Member since 2012 · 17k+ posts · 30k+ votes8y
Got to a house with a for sale sign on it, knock on the door and ask the occupants if they wouldnt mind leaving for 30 minutes so you can look at the house by yourself.
District Invest Group545 Reviews Originally posted by @Joe Splitrock:
Originally posted by @Tom Smith:
Originally posted by @Joe Splitrock:
Originally posted by @Tom Smith:
The reason why I don't want to look at houses without someone present is because agents job is to sell you something and because of the high pressure environment. It is like buying a car. Wouldn't you rather test drive without having someone in the car with you talking to you and trying to get you to buy afterwards? Wouldn't it be great driving test driving multiple cars without having anyone there and pressuring you to buy each car you just drove instead of test driving 5+ cars?
If I become an agent myself, is that the only way to legally check out houses? I am brand new and never owned a home before so I want to look at as many houses as possible before I buy my first property.
You seem to have an almost irrational fear of sales people. My recommendation is next time you are approached by a sales person, explain to them that you have had high pressure sales people in the past and it makes you uncomfortable. Ask for them to give you space.
Most agents are not high pressure in the manner you describe. The key is communicating your needs up front to the agent. Let them know this is your first home and you want to look at many properties before buying. Make sure the agent understands you don't respond well to high pressure and that you will want to look at many houses before making a decision. Keep in mind that in a hot real estate market properties can sell quickly. Your agent may tell you, "if you are interested let's put an offer in as soon as possible". You may view that as pressure, but they are just trying to make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity. Buying a house ins't like buying a car. Houses are one of a kind and can sell quickly.
My agent walks around the house with me and points out good and bad features. He doesn't pressure me to buy. Honestly with your lack of experience, you would really benefit from an experienced agent to show you around a home.
Even if you have your real estate license, they don't just give you a magic key to let you into any house. You need to join an agency, which means you are taking a job and you would be expected to perform (sell). If you are uncomfortable even being around a sales person, there is no way you could succeed as an agent.
I don't have an irrational fear of sales people. I just know that I can spend more time viewing properties without sales people there and don't want to take up all of their time and view 10+ homes. I am the type of person who likes to view a lot of properties. What kind of agent will want to keep showing you properties for months on end? lol I just don't want to waste their time. If I told them this upfront I am sure many agents would not bother correct?
People don't just let you into their home without an agent there. In many cases, a showing needs to be scheduled ahead of time (unless it is vacant). Your agent will coordinate all this. They will ask you what you are looking for in a property and setup search criteria. They can filter houses by price, location, bedrooms, bath rooms, square feet and location. You get a list of properties and you look through the photos and locations. You pick only properties that interest you. The agent sets up the showing. An agent will have no problem showing you 10 homes or even 20 homes if that is what it takes. After you look at a home, they will ask what you like and don't like. That will help them further filter search results. The job of an agent is to help you find a home that meets your needs, not to force you to buy the first house you look at.
Of course the agent doesn't want to waste their time and I am assuming you don't either. So the goal is only looking at houses that meet your needs. In other words if the bank approves you for a $1.5 million house, they are not going to show you $2 million dollar homes. That is reasonable, right?
I am wondering, how do you know you need to look at 10+ properties over the course of months? What if the second property you look at meets all your needs? My point is it could take two house or it could take 30 houses. Since you have not even started looking, you have no idea.
If you are not ready to buy yet, then I would suggest going to open houses. That is a great way to go tire kicking and realtors will mostly leave you alone. It is also a good way to meet realtors and find one that fits your personality.
Good luck.
Thank you so much for your posts, Joe. They are all very helpful. I will start with open houses. I upvoted all of your posts and also everyone else's too. Thanks everyone for replying! :)
- @Tom Smith a realtor that you hire works for you. They aren't trying to "sell" you something that you dont need. You want to buy a house and they facilitate that transaction. It sounds like you need a real estate agent working for you.
- Specialist · San Diego, CA · Member since 2018 · 88 posts · 54 votes8y
Hi Tom, I understand not wanting to be pressured into anything.
But a home purchase is drastically different than a car purchase. Even the owner of a vacant house will not want a stranger in their house unsupervised.
This nice thing about working with an agent is that you get to choose absolutely any agent you want.
My advice... interview agents until you find someone you like. The only investment you'll be making is your time. Tell them that you don't want constant calls or emails. They will listen.
But it does work both ways... An agent can choose not to work with you if they feel you are wasting their time.
Best of luck.
- China, ME · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes8y
@Tom Smith With all due respect, high-pressure sales is not an real estate agent's job at all. At least not if you have a good agent - and yes, I'm quite sure that like any profession, there are bad apples out there.
I tell all of my buyers that I view my job as talking them OUT of every property we see. I expose every bad thing I can think of - especially when it comes to location. Train tracks, gun clubs, air strips, double-yellow lines, shopping plazas, school zones, flood zones, cemeteries, landfills, etc. I'll also look for defects in the home, but always recommend that a licensed home inspector goes through it too.
Why? First, that's what I would want someone to do for me. I'd want someone to have my back.
Second, if I were to "forget" to mention those kinds of things, my reputation would be in the toilet as fast as you can say "Yelp".
I'd bet most good agents would do exactly the same thing. If you have one that has commission breath, find yourself another agent.
In addition to the market knowledge, a good agent will know how to negotiate the best possible deal for you.
And don't forget - the sales commission for properties listed on MLS is agreed to in the listing contract. There is no additional cost for using a buyer's agent. The full commission is paid either way.
Not to mention that if you deal directly with the seller's agent, you're negotiating with someone who is bound by law and by ethics to get the best possible deal for his client - the SELLER.
- Provo, UT · Member since 2016 · 55 posts · 15 votes8y
You can use an agent. Call up several until you find one laid back enough to not feel pressured by them or straight out tell them you don't want any pressure from them. Or go to open houses, time it so you go in just a second after someone else does. Or go to for sale by owners.
- 8yBjorn AhlbladPro MemberInvestor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes
If the ad interests me-numbers look OK etc-I will do a drive by. If it still seems OK I walk around a bit check the neighborhood and building best I can w/o trespassing; sometimes by that time I get the opportunity to chat up a tenant who is coming or going-I am interested in renting I tell them-if you are cool they will talk longer than you need them to. The chance meeting with the tenant means more to me than seeing inside. Based on that I will walk away, or have my agent put in an offer contingent upon inspection. This is my process for 10-20 unit buildings.
- Investor · Culver City, CA · Member since 2017 · 76 posts · 40 votes8y
In my experience about 1/3 of the people staffing open houses are not even the real estate agent. They are just some friend of the agent that gets paid $50 to sit there and make sure everyone signs in and no one trashes the place. They sometimes do not even get off their. I prefer that to having the agent walk around and show me every detail.
The best way to deal with your frustration with pushy sales people is to go to a lot of these things. If you kind of know what you are looking for and can answer the agents first two or three questions then they will leave you alone.
- Flipper/Rehabber · Montgomery, NY · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes8y
Find an agent, explain you want access to homes without pressure. Granted I deal with homes usually bank owned or very distressed, but my realtor would wait outside if I asked him to. A buyers agent (a good one) will offer advice if asked, but would not be pushy like a car salesman. My agent walked probably 75 houses with me, and made 25-30 offers before we landed one, an it had to be a HUD approved agent which he was not. All that work and he made a small finders fee. Needless to say it didn't sour him, he went, got his HUD certification, and is working on selling the house for me now!
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.