Be thorough, but only if you haven’t dismissed the property, and if you’re seriously considering its potential. Go through every room. Check out closets and crawl spaces. Open up drawers, cabinets, and cupboards. Look behind and underneath furniture; 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 suggests that when buyers spend a longer time viewing a home, they’re more likely to pay below asking price. WATCH FOR STAGING Staging, discussed previously, 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 pay attention to. For example, a strategically lit roommight be drawing attention from a problem area. A nice rocking chair 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
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