Answering these questions will save you significant time and effort in the 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 your price range. 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 viewing homes, make sure you’ve got enough time to truly view the home from a critical perspective. Schedule enough time to do a proper inspection. Look into all closets and crawl spaces. You may be living there for years to come, so five minutes of strolling around is not going to be adequate to form an opinion. Depending on the size and features of the home, anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours of viewing time may be appropriate. Research suggests that when buyers spend a longer time viewing a home, they are more likely to pay below asking price in some markets.
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 stains or signs of wear not readily evident. Lift up rugs, if necessary. While this may seem rude, it’s not. You’re about to make a substantial investment and you need to know exactly what you’re getting.
41
Powered by FlippingBook