overtop a beautiful rug might be hiding stained or damaged flooring. A fresh coat of paint adds plenty of appeal, and if the color is neutral and/or to your liking, that 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 left behind once all that is stripped away.
AVOID EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT
While in Chapter 15 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. This is a pit that too many buyers fall into, and they make an emotional decision while overlooking major issues. The parts of the home they “loved” don’t end up mattering in the long run, when they’re left with a home that doesn’t meet their needs, leaving them either unfulfilled or forced to abandon ship, putting the home on the market and starting the process all over again. One trick you can use to avoid becoming too attached right away is to see the potential property as a building that must be inspected and assessed for any issues. This will help give you some emotional distance and give you more power — the upper hand — in the negotiation process, should it come to that.
VIEW AND VIEW SOME MORE (BUT NOT ALONE)
Once you’ve found a prospect that not only has potential but meets all your needs and most of your wants, it’s important to view it again — in fact, multiple times would be best. You are more likely to discover more items, both positive and negative, in the home when you come back another time with fresh eyes. Perhaps you’ll find something that you didn’t notice before, something that could sway your decision to yea or nay.
Try viewing the home at different times (morning, afternoon,
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