How to Get the Most Out of an Open House

Dusty Rhodes • September 16, 2019

Are you looking for your new home? Have you checked all the websites, downloaded all the apps, taken all the flyers? Have you been to a never-ending list of open houses but just feel like you're not getting anywhere? This Sunday, you have a chance to see a lot of the properties on the market in the Myrtle Beach area, as Realty ONE Group Dockside is hosting a Company Wide Open House! This means that LOTS of our company's listings will be available for walkthroughs from 1PM - 4PM all throughout the Grand Strand. And while it seems overwhelming, fear not, HouseLogic has some tips on how to get the most out of an open house:


Quick Note: Like we said last week, before you start looking, you need to do the most crucial step - figure out what it is you're actually looking for. Just like when you go to the grocery store with a list of everything you need and want, you'll find a list helps when starting the house hunt. It helps you to really focus in on what's a priority.


1.  The great thing about open houses is that they are a great way to really see what the property looks like. As they say, "a picture is worth a thousand words." And a lot of listings have photos that just don't do the property justice. A lot of times the photos can also be misleading and doctored up more than reality.


2.  Know which houses are actually being held "Open." If you're working with an agent, they can help you find properties that match your exact criteria on the list you give them that are being held open to the buying public. You can also check real estate apps like Realtor, Trulia, and Zillow with an added filter that shows only upcoming open houses. Social Media is also a great help. With the rise of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter marketing by agents, a lot of times the properties will be advertised there as well. You could also go the old-fashioned route and drive around. You never know if you see one on your way home from lunch! **TIP: If you're planning in advance, plan the times of the open houses and map out a route to make it easier.**


3. Show up before it starts. Get to know the neighborhood with a quick ride around the property. Maybe meet some neighbors if they're out and about. See what they have to say about the neighborhood, and maybe even the property for sale. And if the agent is already there, stop and chat with them. They might be able to answer any questions you may have, and you'll have more of their attention than if the property is full of other prospective buyers asking questions.


4. This may be the MOST IMPORTANT TIP of all when you're at an open house, so PLEASE remember this. Ask a lot of questions, but DON'T ruin your negotiating power. Don't overshare about why you're moving, when you're moving, or how much you LOVE that house! Any agent holding the open house can use that against you, leaving you helpless in price and repair negotiations. They know you "have to have it" and that you'll do anything to get it. This includes if you're moving to be near a specific school district, if you need to move because of a job relocation, or if you're looking for your "forever home" where kids and grandkids can visit now that you have an empty nest. You will lose all power, and your agent will have an extremely difficult time trying to get you the best price.


5.  Be aware of your surroundings. Like number 4 says, you don't want to hurt yourselves in the negotiations, and with new technologies in the security industry, home security cameras are becoming more and more common-place. Whether you're at an open house or at a private showing, be aware that there could be cameras recording your reactions. Even if you're out of earshot of the agent holding an open house, there still may be someone listening.


6.  Ask the right questions. These ones are neutral and won't give you away, but will still give you the information you need. "Any offers yet? When is the seller planning to move? Is the price flexible? How long has it been listed for sale? Any price changes? Any recent renovations or repairs? What are the average utility costs?" Keep in mind that some of these questions you may not get answers to, specifically anything relating to the seller's motivations/timelines or any repairs. In the state of South Carolina, confidentiality is required by law if the agent is representing the seller. Which means that if they tell you that the seller is trying to sell it quickly, they're now violating that law. 


When you're out looking for your next property purchase, just remember the tips we've shared, and you'll be a great open house guest.


And this weekend, be sure to come see us Saturday from 10AM - 1PM at 168 Fulbourn Place in Myrtle Beach, and Sunday from 1PM - 4PM at 214 Fox Catcher Drive in Myrtle Beach, where we'll be hosting open houses!





Dusty Rhodes Properties is the Best Realtor in Myrtle Beach! We do everything in our power to help you find the home of your dreams. With experience, expertise, and passion, we are the perfect partner for you in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We love what we do and it shows. With more than 22 years of experience in the field, we know our industry like the back of our hands. There’s no challenge too big or too small, and we dedicate our utmost energy to every project we take on. We search thousands of the active and new listings from Aynor, Carolina Forest, Conway, Garden City Beach, Longs, Loris, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Surfside Beach real estate listings to find the hottest deals just for you!

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Top Mistakes Homeowners Are Making in 2026 (And How To Avoid Them)

By Dusty Rhodes • March 23, 2026
Let’s be clear: selling your house is absolutely possible right now. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), roughly 11k homes sell every day in this country. And the sellers who are making their moves happen all have one thing in common: they’ve adjusted their strategy to match today’s market. They’re realizing inventory has grown. Homebuyers are more selective. And buyer expectations are higher. The sellers who struggle are usually approaching today’s market with yesterday’s expectations. Here are the three biggest mistakes they’re making – and how to avoid them. 1. Pricing Based on What Their Neighbor Got a Few Years Back Setting your price is the most important decision you make when you sell – and the one that’s most often mishandled. Realtor.com data shows almost 1 out of 5 sellers in 2025 had to drop their price. Here’s what those sellers went wrong. Buyers have more choice and more negotiating power now that inventory has grown. And house hunters will actively avoid your house is if feels like it’s priced too high. That’s why overpricing usually leads to: Fewer showings Less competitive (or lowball) offers Longer time on market And all three of those side effects are things you don’t want to deal with. What To Do Instead: The good news is the cure is simple. Just price for today’s buyer, not yesterday’s headlines. Lean on your agent’s knowledge of recent comparable sales, current competition, and local buyer behavior to land in the value “sweet spot” that drives traffic and urgency from day one. 2. Trying To Skip Repairs That Buyers Now Expect A few years ago, you could sell as-is and still get well above asking. Today? Not so much. Right now, NAR says two-thirds of sellers are making at least some repairs. And the reason why is simple. In a market with more inventory, buyers compare homes side by side. Homes that don’t show well (or feel dated) are going to lose attention quickly, even if the issues are minor. What To Do Instead: Ask your agent which high-impact, low-stress updates they’d recommend for your house. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s helping buyers see themselves moving in without a mental to-do list. Small investments in staging, repairs, and curb appeal can make a huge difference in how quickly offers come in – and how strong those offers are. 3. Playing Hardball When Buyers Try To Negotiate Today’s buyers have housing affordability at the top of their minds. And since money is already tight, they’ll be pickier and will probably ask for some compromises from you. Whether that’s making repairs, giving them a credit at closing, or taking just a few thousand dollars off your asking price, negotiating is normal again. So, if something pops up in the inspection, you’re going to need to be open to talking about it. If you’re not, you may very well see your buyer walk away. And some sellers are figuring this out the hard way. Redfin data shows one of the big reasons home sales fell thru in 2025 was inspection or repair issues. Odds are those homeowners weren’t willing to flex a bit to get the deal done. What to Do Instead: Meet with your agent to make sure you understand what buyers in your area care the most about. Align your price with value, present the home clearly and confidently, and stay open to reasonable negotiations that keep deals moving forward.

10 Aging-in-Place Features Pros Swear By

By Dusty Rhodes • March 16, 2026
They’re often called aging-in-place features, but things like curbless showers, nonslip flooring and wide walkways and doorways can benefit everyone, no matter their age or ability. “Regardless of aging in place, there is a place for these in day-to-day life, whether it be a teenager on crutches, a family member having had surgery, active kids,” designer Dana Bass says. “It’s not just about aging in place. We’ve got to account for unplanned life emergencies.” Designer Tammy Battistessa of Ellaire Kitchen & Bath Design agrees. “Whenever possible, I include aging-in-place and universal design features in every project, as I believe many of these features benefit clients of all ages and abilities, in addition to allowing a client to safely remain in their home for a longer period of time,” she says. Creating a home that can adapt also makes it more sustainable. “Aging in place is a key element to making legacy homes that can evolve over time,” architect Tim Barber says. With all that in mind, we asked more than 50 home design and construction professionals to share the aging-in-place features they always recommend. Here are the 10 that came up again and again. 1. Wide Walkways and Doorways Planning ahead is one of the most important steps when incorporating aging-in-place features. Many of these elements require thoughtful design and construction, so it’s wise to start early — and to consider hiring professionals who understand the nuances. “Thinking through how you will really use the space makes all the difference,” designer Haiku Durden of HDS Design says. “Having a designer involved really makes a difference.” A professional can help you create a plan that works for your current needs and anticipates future ones. “We currently default to aging-in-place features when our clients are near retirement or retirement age,” says designer Jenny Guggenheim of Guggenheim Architecture and Design Studio . “Preplanning by adding blocking behind the wall finish, spacious floor planning to allow for wheelchair or walker use.” In fact, spacious layouts are among the most commonly recommended aging-in-place strategies. Wide walkways and doorways — and generous clearances around furniture and fixtures — make it easier for anyone to move through the home comfortably. Installing a continuous flooring material throughout also reduces tripping hazards caused by changes in height or texture between rooms.

The Price You Set Can Make (or Break) Your Sale

By Dusty Rhodes • March 2, 2026
There’s one decision you’re going to make when you sell that determines whether your house sells quickly, or it sits. Whether buyers make an offer, or scroll past it. Whether you walk away with the maximum return, or you end up cutting the price later. And that’s your asking price . The #1 Mistake Sellers Make Today: Trusting the Wrong Number If you’re thinking of moving and trying to figure out what your house may sell for, it’s tempting to start with an online home value tool. They’re fast, free, and easy. And you don’t have to talk to anyone. But here’s the problem: they don’t know your house. And that can be a bigger drawback than you realize. Where Online Estimates Fall Short Online tools often lag behind the market. They look in the rearview mirror, relying on closed sales and delayed information. And in that sense, they’re using incomplete data . That’s not a miss in how these systems are built. Some information just isn’t available online. Bankrate explains: “ While these tools can be a useful starting point, keep in mind that they typically do not provide the most accurate pricing. Algorithms can only rely on the information available; they can’t account for things like a home’s condition or renovations made since the last public information was updated.” They can’t see: The unique features that make your house special All the work you’ve put in to keep it in good condition Or, how in-demand your specific neighborhood is right now So, while they may do a good job in some cases, they can’t be as accurate as a local agent who has boots on the ground day in and day out. In a market where buyers have more options, a seemingly small margin of error can cost you thousands if you price too low, or weeks of lost momentum and time if you price too high. If you want to sell for the most money and in the least amount of time, you don’t want the fast answer on how to price your house. You want the right one. That’s why the savviest homeowners today don’t rely on algorithms when it actually matters. They rely on people, specifically trusted local agents. What an Expert Agent Brings to the Table According to 1000WATT , sellers overwhelmingly believe real estate agents have the best sense of a home’s true value, far more than any automated tools.