lift up rugs, if necessary. Walk through the yard and garage, if applicable. It’s not rude to look for imperfections or defects, and sellers aren’t legally obligated to point out every single one, so be proactive! You need to know exactly what you’re getting for such a major investment and commitment. Plan for about two hours to go through each home. Research suggested that when buyers spend a longer time viewing a home, they’re more likely to pay below asking price. WATCH FOR STAGING Staging is a technique that sellers use to make their home look fresh, modern, up-to-date, inviting, and appealing. While it’s a great strategy to use for sellers who need to sell their home, it’s also a strategy that buyers should be well aware of. For example, a strategically lit room might be drawing attention from a problem area. A nice rocking chair overtop a beautiful rug might be hiding stained or damaged fl ooring. A fresh coat of paint adds plenty of appeal, and if the color is neutral and/or to your liking, could be a bonus — unless it’s hiding water damage or mold. Try to look beyond the obvious aesthetics and the interior décor. Focus on what will be le ft b ehind once all that is stripped away. AVOID EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT While in Chapter 1 we talked about being emotionally prepared for all that comes along with homeownership, when it comes to home shopping, it’s important to keep emotions at bay, especially if you feel yourself falling in love with a home that doesn’t quite meet your criteria. Th is is a pit that too many buyers fall into, and they make an emotional decision while overlooking major issues. Th e parts of the home they “loved” don’t end up mattering in the long run, when they’re le ft with a home that doesn’t meet their needs, leaving them either unfu lfi lled or forced to abandon ship, putting the home on the market and starting the process all over 52
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