Take your time. This is very important. You don’t want to rush going through a home that you’re potentially considering purchasing. An exception would be if you know pretty quickly that the home is definitely not the one for you (it doesn’t meet all your needs based on something you’ve noticed or the listing agent mentioned), then it’s fine to politely speed up the process or decline. Otherwise, take your time and plan ahead for that. Be thorough and proactive if you’re seriously considering its potential. Make sure it has everything that you need. Take the time to carefully inspect every room, including closets, cabinets, drawers, and storage areas. While sellers are legally required to disclose what they know about a property, they may not be aware of every issue—especially if they’ve lived in the home for many years—or they may not recognize certain conditions as problems. That’s why it’s important to see the home with fresh eyes.
LOOK OUT FOR STAGING
Remember when we talked about home staging as an effective way to market your home as a seller? Now you have to put yourself in a buyer’s shoes. Don’t let the aesthetic effects distract you. Some sellers use staging strategically to hide something. Examples include: • a fresh coat of paint to hide water damage or mold • a brand-new beautiful rug hiding stains or damaged flooring • strategic lighting to distract from a problem area
GET A GENERAL SENSE OF THE HOME'S CONDITION
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