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Why Attending Open Houses Is a Smart Power Move for Buyers in California

Why Attending Open Houses Is a Smart Power Move for Buyers in California

And Why Having Waymaker Realty Advisors by Your Side Makes It Even Smarter

In California’s ever-evolving real estate market, buying a home can feel like navigating a maze. With limited inventory, fast-moving listings, and fierce competition, it’s easy to get overwhelmed—or miss out on opportunities altogether.

But there’s one powerful, often underrated tool every buyer should be using: the open house.

Attending open houses across California isn’t just about seeing pretty homes. It’s a smart, strategic move that gives buyers an edge—and with Waymaker Realty Advisors by your side, it becomes even more effective.

Here’s why showing up in person matters, and how Waymaker Realty Advisors transforms this simple act into a winning strategy.


1. Open Houses Help You Understand the Market in Real Time

Seeing homes in person gives you context that online listings never can. From the size of the rooms to how the natural light hits in the afternoon, open houses let you truly feel the property—and the neighborhood.

Waymaker Realty Advisors encourages our buyers to use open houses as an educational tool. We help you track what’s selling fast, spot patterns in pricing, and notice which homes are over- or under-valued. That kind of real-world insight makes you a sharper, more confident buyer.


2. You Get a Front-Row Seat to Lifestyle and Location

In California, it’s not just about the house—it’s about how you’ll live in it. Open houses let you explore more than the property:

  • Is the street peaceful or busy?

  • Are there parks, trails, or shops nearby?

  • How’s the parking or walkability?

  • What’s the energy of the neighborhood?

Waymaker Realty Advisors helps you evaluate each open house holistically. We coach our buyers on what to observe, what questions to ask, and how to compare communities so you’re not just buying a house—you’re investing in the lifestyle you want.


3. You’ll Start Spotting Hidden Potential (and Hidden Red Flags)

Open houses are your chance to see the little things that listing photos leave out—like room proportions, strange layouts, or deferred maintenance.

At Waymaker, we give you a trained eye. Our agents know how to assess what’s cosmetic versus structural, what could be a smart investment, and what might be a money pit in disguise. We’re here to protect your long-term goals and guide you toward homes that fit your vision and budget.


4. You Can Build Your Confidence and Move Faster When It Counts

In fast-paced markets like California’s, hesitation can cost you the home. Regularly attending open houses trains you to:

  • Recognize a good deal when you see it

  • Define your “non-negotiables” more clearly

  • Act quickly and confidently when the right home hits

And when you’re ready to make that offer, Waymaker Realty Advisors is your strategic partner. We’re skilled negotiators who understand the nuances of California contracts, pricing tactics, and seller psychology.


5. You Gain a Strategic Advantage—Even Before You’re Ready to Buy

Many buyers wait to call an agent until they’re ready to write an offer. But with Waymaker Realty Advisors, we meet you where you are—even if you’re just browsing.

We help you use open houses as a no-pressure way to:

  • Understand different home styles and build quality

  • Discover new neighborhoods you hadn’t considered

  • Compare what’s truly available at your price point

  • Get your financing strategy lined up ahead of time

The sooner we’re walking the market together, the better positioned you’ll be when it’s time to make your move.


Final Thought: Don’t Just Visit Open Houses—Make Them Work for You

Open houses are more than weekend entertainment. For California buyers, they’re one of the most direct paths to clarity, confidence, and opportunity.

But going it alone means you may miss key insights or strategic advantages.

That’s where Waymaker Realty Advisors comes in. Our team walks beside you, helping you filter the noise, identify the right opportunities, and take action with intention.

If you’re touring open houses—or thinking about it—reach out to us. We’ll make sure every open door moves you closer to your front door.


Ready to walk through with confidence?

Let’s talk strategy, neighborhood insight, and next steps.
📞 Contact Waymaker Realty Advisors today—Your advisor and partner for the best real estate journey.

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Complaints prompt Carlsbad to remove traffic circles City will install all-way stop signs instead of roundabouts at two Kelly Drive intersections A vehicle maneuvers through the traffic circle at Park Drive and Kelly Drive in this view looking north up Kelly Drive. Above left is Laguna Riviera City Park, behind it is Kelly Elementary School. (Charlie Neuman/For The San Diego Union-Tribune) A vehicle maneuvers through the traffic circle at Park Drive and Kelly Drive in this view looking north up Kelly Drive. Above left is Laguna Riviera City Park, behind it is Kelly Elementary School. (Charlie Neuman/For The San Diego Union-Tribune) By PHIL DIEHL | [email protected] | The San Diego Union-Tribune UPDATED: June 20, 2025 at 6:15 AM PDT Carlsbad’s City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to remove two traffic circles, or small roundabouts, that residents said were “a failed experiment” installed in 2013 as a pilot project. Homeowners near the traffic circles at two intersections on Kelly Drive said the traffic circles encourage speeding and create a safety hazard for children walking to the nearby Kelly Elementary School. “It is a mess, truly a mess,” said Sheila O’Neill, who volunteers as a crossing guard at the school. “The roundabout nudges cars closer to the crosswalk and kids crossing the street … all-way stops would be great. It would make next year so much better.” Traffic circles are different from roundabouts, although the terms often are used interchangeably. Traffic circles require less space and generally are placed in residential areas. Roundabouts are larger, sometimes with landscaping, usually have pedestrian crosswalks set back from the intersection, and are installed on busier streets and thoroughfares. Carlsbad approved the interim traffic circles for two intersections on Kelly Drive — at each side of Kelly Elementary School — one at Park Drive and the other at Hillside Drive. Each one is essentially a circle of small ceramic bumps or domes on the asphalt at the center of the intersection for vehicles to drive around. The bumps are small enough that cars can drive over without damage. “This was a well-intentioned experiment, but it’s time to acknowledge its failure,” said Steve Linke, a resident and former member of the city’s Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission. Council members agreed with the speakers. One of the options presented to the council was to proceed with a final design, environmental studies and permits for roundabouts to replace the Kelly Drive traffic circles. Instead, the council voted to remove the traffic circles, resurface the roadway with a slurry seal, and install all-way stop signs. Also, the council directed city staffers to consider the costs and benefits of other possible improvements such as bike lanes, crosswalks and curb ramps, and bring that information back at a future meeting. “It’s a good opportunity to step back, catch our breath and listen to what our residents are saying,” said Councilmember Keven Shin. “I feel like an all-way stop would create a lot of safety for the kids.” Teenagers on e-bikes ride south on Kelly Drive approaching the traffic circle at Hillside Drive, shown at right, where underground pipeline work continue in the middle of the circle. At right is the east end of Hillside Drive. (Charlie Neuman / For The San Diego Union-Tribune) Teenagers on e-bikes ride south on Kelly Drive approaching the traffic circle at Hillside Drive, at right, where underground pipeline work is underway in the middle of the circle. At right is the east end of Hillside Drive. (Charlie Neuman/For The San Diego Union-Tribune) Earlier this year, the City Council hit the brakes on the long-planned installation of a roundabout to replace the traffic signals at the beachfront intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard. That project also faced widespread community opposition. And the council has said that sometime soon it will reconsider a still unbuilt roundabout that it approved in 2023 for the intersection of Cannon Road and Carlsbad Boulevard. Roundabouts and traffic circles are elements of a “complete streets” program that Carlsbad has been working on for several years. The program’s goal is to prioritize safety for everyone on the roads, whether they are driving, walking or biking. In March the City Council approved five traffic circles to be installed at intersections in the older downtown Barrio neighborhood starting in 2026. Barrio residents generally supported the installations because they are expected to help control traffic and reduce speeding. The city obtained about $4 million in federal funding for the Barrio traffic circles. Originally Published: June 19, 2025 at 7:50 AM PDT

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