First-Time Buyer's Guide to Open Houses

An open house is a scheduled time when a home that's for sale is open to the public for viewing. You can walk through the property, look at every room, and speak with the listing agent — all without making an appointment or committing to anything.

In Alberta, most open houses happen on weekends between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM, though some sellers schedule weekday or evening hours. You'll find schedules and details on our Alberta open houses page.

Know Your Budget

Before falling in love with a home, know what you can afford. Talk to a mortgage broker or bank and get pre-approved. In Alberta, a 5% down payment is the minimum for homes under $500K, though having 20% avoids CMHC mortgage insurance.

Understand What You Need vs. What You Want

Make two lists: must-haves (number of bedrooms, proximity to work, parking) and nice-to-haves (finished basement, specific neighbourhood, backyard size). Open houses help you refine these lists quickly because you'll see what your budget actually buys.

Bring the Right Tools

Your phone is your most important tool — use it for photos, notes, and measurements. Wear comfortable shoes you can easily remove (Canadian custom). Bring a copy of our open house checklist to stay organized.

When you arrive at an open house, the listing agent will greet you at the door. They may ask you to sign in with your name, email, and phone number — this is standard, though not mandatory.

You're free to walk through the home at your own pace. There's no pressure to stay for a set amount of time or make any commitments. Aim for 15–30 minutes per home to see everything thoroughly.

Don't be afraid to open closet doors, check the basement, and look out every window. Just avoid opening personal items like drawers and medicine cabinets.

If you liked a home, the next step is to work with a REALTOR® to schedule a private showing for a more thorough evaluation. Your REALTOR® can also pull comparable sales data to help you determine if the asking price is fair.

If you didn't find the right home, don't worry. Most buyers attend 5–15 open houses before making an offer. Keep refining your criteria and check back weekly — new open houses are added daily on our Alberta open houses page.