Answering these questions will save you significant time and effort in running around to view homes that don’t suit you. Once you’ve decided upon your criteria, call your real estate agent. Let them know what you’re looking for and what your price range is. They will get to work on your behalf, shortlisting the properties that meet your criteria so you can start your viewing from there. Then comes the fun part: Finding that perfect home you’ve been dreaming of!
SCHEDULE ADEQUATE TIME
When going to view homes, make sure you’ve got plenty of time to really view the home from a critical perspective. Your agent should be pointing out issues of concern and having a discussion about each issue found. Schedule enough time to do a proper inspection once you have negotiated your offer and it is accepted. Look into all closets and crawl spaces. It’s possible you will be living there for years to come, so five minutes strolling around is not going to be adequate to form an opinion. Initial viewing is usually 30 minutes, but once you have an accepted contract, expect your home inspector for four to six hours to view your potential house issues. If you are not able to attend the entire time, be sure you attend the last one to two hours so you are clear with all of the issues. Research suggests that when buyers spend a longer time viewing a home, they are more likely to pay below the asking price.
BE THOROUGH
Related to scheduling adequate time to view the home, be thorough when checking it out. Open drawers, cabinets, and cupboards. Look behind furniture, and even under it to find
41
Powered by FlippingBook