Tips for Viewing Homes: Avoid Buyer Mistakes!
You’ve made the decision to purchase a new home, and you’re ready to start viewings! This step of the home buying process can be overwhelming. Follow these tips to keep stress levels low and make the viewing process fun.
Make a List of Must-Haves and No-Gos
Before you start viewing homes, write up a list of everything you do and don’t want. Describe your dream home. How many bedrooms do you want? What kind of kitchen? One or two stories? It’s important to be realistic, but also make sure you have a clear vision of what you are looking for. During viewings, you can refer to your list and see what homes fit the bill.
Ask Questions
Don’t be afraid to speak up! Ask about the home’s history and any issues it may have. You can also ask why the home is being sold, and how long it has been on the market. This can reveal important information about the value of the home. Ask about any shared property with neighbors, and make sure you are familiar with real estate terms.
Bring a Friend
Two heads are better than one! Bring a trusted friend when viewing homes for a second pair of eyes. As the buyer, you may miss things in your excitement. Have a friend with you to make sure nothing gets missed! As an added bonus, your friend can check the house out while you ask the agent questions.
Arrive Early
Viewings are sometimes scheduled back to back, which means the agent may rush. Arrive early to avoid this as much as possible! Getting to the viewing 15-30 minutes early can mean more time to take things in and ask more questions.
Take Pictures and Videos
Viewing multiple homes can clutter your memory! It is easy to forget details. Avoid mixing up the features of different homes by taking pictures and videos of your favorites. This will also give you a great opportunity to review the homes you liked without pressure.
Go For a Second Viewing
Homes can look very different depending on time, day, and season. Before jumping into such a big commitment, make sure you view the home at least twice. Try viewing homes once in the morning and once in the evening to see how the lighting, atmosphere, and neighborhood activity changes.
Choose Your Top Three
Narrow down your favorites into a top three to stay organized and on track. It can be overwhelming if you have been viewing a lot of homes and like several. Refer back to your list from our first tip and apply it to the homes you saw, then come up with a top three. From there, you can choose your dream home!