What Buyers Should Look for When Touring a Home?
Once you had pre-approved for mortgage and you had determined how much you want to pay monthly and your want and needs, it is time for home tour with your buyer agent. Be prepare to plan for 2-3 hours for your home tour. Base on my experience with buyers, I would strong suggest only tour 4-5 homes on a given same day tour. This is because by touring 4-5 homes, buyer can remember clearly what they seen, that’s why help them to make a better and smart decision.
Suggestion for home tour
Here are some suggestions for home tour:
- Have all the decision makers on the tour
- Be prepared with snacks, things to keep kids busy
- Bring digital camera or smart phone to take picture
- Have pen and notepad to make notes. It is important to note Likes and Dislikes for each home
- Rate each house on a scale 1-10 based on the appearance and features and how well it fits your needs
- Make a note of any items that you need your Realtor to go back and check on after the tour is complete
Check the surrounding neighborhood
As you drive through the neighborhood, take note on the whole area. How many entrance to the neighborhood? How close is the nearest convenience store or grocery stores? Are there noisy roads or train tracks nearby? Is the neighborhood underneath an airport flight path? Is the house in an area that might be prone to drainage issues etc… If you can, drive the area at different times of day.
Check the curb appeal
Before getting out from the car, take some time to consider the curb appeal. Do you like the elevation design? What are the sidewalks and entrances like? Will the home need to be painted soon? Is the driveway shared with another property, or do neighbors park in front of the house for sale?
Taking notes
As you touring the properties, start taking notes. Write down what you like and dislike about the properties. Use your phone to take a picture of the listing sheet. If you like what you’re seeing, ask whether you can take pictures of areas that matter the most to you, such as the kitchen, the family room, the master bedroom and bath, the backyard and etc. By taking pictures of the listing sheet, you know the following pictures are taken from the properties.
Floor plan and room sizes
While you in the house, don’t focus on cosmetic things. Paint and wallpaper are relatively inexpensive to change. Pay attention to what will really matter in your life and elements that are difficult to change. Will the layout work for your lifestyle? Is there enough space? The home must have all the rooms you need and a layout that works for your family.
Signs of water damage
Is there a musty odor, watermarks, flaking plaster, or signs of mold on the ceiling above the shower or along the baseboards beside the tub?
Does it needs renovation?
Do you like the kitchen and bathrooms? Are the cabinets and countertops attractive and in good condition? These necessary rooms are the most expensive ones to renovate, so if you are not budgeting for a renovation, choose candidates that won’t require major changes to these areas.
Furnaces and air conditioners
If possible, ask to have the air conditioning and the plumbing turned on, and listen for suspicious sounds. A home inspector will examine these components more carefully, but you can get a hint by looking and listening.
Cracks in garage floors and uneven flooring
Foundation problems can be expensive to repair. Cracks in the garage floor or floors that feel uneven when you walk are indicators of potential problems. Cracks in ceilings and walls may or may not matter.
Light and the home’s general feel
Buying a home is both a logical and emotional process. How the house makes you feel can be part of your decision-making process. Is the house light or dark? How do you feel about the house?
In short, look hard at things you cannot change, or that will be expensive to change, and concentrate less on things that aren’t permanent.
Also Read:
Dos and don’ts when visiting open house
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