Why You Should Go to Your Neighbor’s Open House, Even If You Don’t Want To Buy It

If your neighbor has listed their home, attending their open house is a smart move—even if you have no intention of buying.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not about being nosy. Attending a nearby open house can actually give you a strategic advantage. From learning about the local real estate market to spotting ideas for home improvements, staying informed can set you up for success should you decide to sell in the future.

“You can think of an open house as a full market report in 3D. Leverage it to understand what is standard, what type of layout choices work, and how much money is being asked for certain features,” advises Evan Harlow, real estate agent at Maui Elite Property in Kihei, HI. 

Get insider knowledge on the neighborhood market

Publicly available information on listings doesn't do true comparisons justice—making nearby open houses worthwhile.

“While your home might be in the same neighborhood and school district as your neighbor’s, their home may have updates or features that your home lacks,” says Maureen McDermut, real estate agent at Sotheby's International Realty in Santa Barbara, CA. 

In addition, an open house can give you a better understanding of what property taxes will be in your area. This is a huge plus as taxes don’t always align perfectly with the value of a home—renovations can also impact assessments.

“A homeowner who attended an open house with me was surprised to see a nearly identical property with a much higher tax bill due to recent renovations. This allowed them to anticipate what might happen if they remodeled,” explains Harlow.

The insights you gather aren’t just curiosity—they’re strategy. For example, if you notice that a home with a modern kitchen and upgraded flooring sells quickly, you’ll know how to invest your hard-earned money and improve your home.

Spot upgrades and improvements

If you attend an open house and learn that your neighbor is experiencing problems, your home might be susceptible to the same issues.

“Let's say your neighbor's roof is losing shingles due to high winds in your area. If your roof is around the same age, you might consider a roof inspection,” says McDermut. Similarly, if your neighbor has high energy bills, you may want to look into attic insulation. 

Once you uncover potential red flags, use the open house as an opportunity to gauge how other attendees (aka interested buyers) react to various elements of the home—and explore renovation ideas for your property.

“You might be considering a particular wood grain for flooring in your home, but you may notice buyers react poorly to it at an open house. Or maybe you need a new roof and hear them asking about a specific type of shingle or even a metal roof to asphalt,” explains McDermut.

Speaking of renovations, keep in mind that not all updates are created equal. Kitchens, bathrooms, and energy-efficient upgrades, such as windows or smart thermostats consistently deliver the highest return because they speak directly to buyers’ needs. 

Cosmetic upgrades, such as painting and refinishing hardwood floors, also offer good returns on their cost. Conversely, super specialized ones—say custom built-ins designed to your specific hobbies—rarely equate to added value. 

“I’ve seen sellers recoup nearly 80% of their investment on the bathroom update, but almost nothing back from a high-end media room addition,” says Harlow.

Use open houses as a recon mission

“It's amazing how you can walk into an open house and just feel the energy. Bright and clean homes that are priced properly will have a lot of foot traffic. Buyers will be asking a ton of questions and whispering comments on what they love and do not like,” says Rob Marucci, a licensed Realtor® and founder of Better Living Realty LLC in Waterbury, CT. 

You should follow their footsteps and ask questions as well. Ask the seller’s agent questions about the home's mechanicals (HVAC, plumbing and electrical) and whether these have been updated recently. 

“It may also be wise to strike up conversations with other open house attendees. Ask them what they like or don't like about the home,” says McDermut. Don’t be afraid to be honest with them and let them know you're thinking of listing your home and value their opinion. 

If you plan to sell in the near future, you may want to bring your agent with you. This way you can both do some market research together. Then, you can reconvene and use your findings to optimize your listing and maximize your sale.