What are open houses, and how do they work?
When a home is for sale, an open house can bring in as many potential buyers as possible.
5 min read
Jun 18, 2024
Michele Petry
Senior Editor, Home Lending
EXPERTISE
- Home Lending
- Mortgages
- Housing Market
- Real Estate
EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Syracuse University
- Certificates in Real Estate Ethics and Fair Housing Law, Real Estate Board of New York
- Continuing coursework in Mortgage Underwriting and Loan Processing, Home Appraisals, Real Estate Purchase Contracts and Data Journalism
About the author
Michele Petry is a senior editor for Bankrate, leading the site’s real estate content since January 2022. Before joining Bankrate she was a writer and editor for StreetEasy, Zillow’s New York City real estate site. Before that, she amassed 20 years of experience on staff at national magazines, honing her skills editing home-based content at House Beautiful, Elle Decor and Veranda (among other titles). Michele earned her journalism degree from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications and is a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW) and the National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE). She lives in Manhattan.
Michele beyond Bankrate
Michele wants you to know
Buying your first home is scary, stressful and thrilling all at once. I couldn’t believe a bank was willing to lend a young, clueless me what seemed at the time like SO. MUCH. MONEY. The fact that it was a New York City co-op apartment, with all the esoteric rules and nerve-racking interviews that includes, made it even more surreal. I know firsthand how important it is to have a knowledgeable real estate agent to guide you through the journey — mine specialized in my neighborhood, knew the building I was buying in specifically, and saved me from making a million naive missteps. I’m happy to use my experience and skills to help others achieve their real estate dreams.
Hire a real estate attorney for any home sale or purchase, even if your state doesn’t require you to. The contracts are complex, and the stakes are high — it’s worth the extra cost to make sure everything is legally buttoned-down.
— Michele Petry
Michele's latest articles
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Buying a house in Michigan: A how-to
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What is a relocation company, and when do you need one?
A relocation company is typically hired by an employer who is moving an employee to a new city for work purposes.
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What does ‘zero lot line’ mean in real estate?
A zero lot line home runs directly along the property boundary.
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Buying a house in Ohio: A how-to
There are plenty of reasons to join in the O-H-I-O chant, even if you aren’t a Buckeyes football fan.
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Finding a good real estate agent to sell your home
Whether you’ve sold a home before or it’s your first rodeo, a knowledgeable listing agent can provide vital assistance.
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Avoid these 8 mistakes when selling your home
These 8 missteps can make the home-selling process more stressful — and costly —than it needs to be.
4 min read Sep 16, 2022 -
Choosing a real estate agent
When making the biggest purchase or sale of your life, you want to work with someone you can trust.
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How to estimate utility costs for a new home
The utility expenses associated with a new home are an important factor for prospective buyers to consider.
3 min read Sep 16, 2022
