Cprt. 2013 Chad Harder. All rights reserved.
Here are some typical questions you should keep in mind when viewing property for sale. The more you know what you are looking for, the more focused and productive your house hunting will be.
Evaluating the Property
- Are there enough bedrooms for now? For the future?
- Are there enough bathrooms?
- Do you like the layout?
- Do the appliances work?
- Is there a basement? Do you see evidence of water damage?
- While you may not be an expert, do you see any obvious signs of structural damage? (Large cracks, sill plate damage, obvious leaning of the house, etc.)
- Does the yard meet your needs (space, privacy, noise from neighbors or their pets)?
- Bring a tape measure! So many questions can be answered with a tape measure!
- Will your furniture fit in the space?
- How big are the windows?
- How much storage space is there?
- Is there enough room for a patio or a garden?
- Is the school district important to you? If so, is the property in the right district?
- What will your commute be like from the home?
- Does the neighborhood provide amenities you want (proximity to parks, highway, local businesses, grocery stores, etc.)?
- Take notes! Take photos! Write on the back of each property’s MLS sheet. You will be surprised how the homes you view can merge in your brain. Jot down your pros/cons and general impressions so you do not forget.
- Debrief with your real estate professional throughout the process.
About the Process
- Be honest. Share what you like and what you positively hate about a property with your agent. Knowing how you really feel about a property helps focus the search.
- Know if you are looking for turnkey or if you are open to remodeling or personalizing the property. Let your agent know how open you are to things that may need changing after you move in (carpet you will rip up, walls you will paint or remove, etc.).
- If you are financing, get pre-approved! Remember that getting “pre-approved” takes longer than getting “pre-qualified.” It is a more substantial evaluation of your finances. It can also be the difference between your offer being accepted or rejected.
- There is no magic number of properties you should view before making an offer. You really and truly could find “the one” immediately, or it may take multiple viewings before “the one” becomes apparent. Trust your gut, be open, and be decisive and ready to act when you find “the one.”
Click Here to download a pdf of a house hunting checklist I find particularly helpful on days when my buyers are viewing lots of properties. It helps keep them all straight!