Viewing a Home: The Right Way Many buyers think the first step is touring homes, but that’s jumping the gun. Before you schedule a single showing, you need to establish your criteria: • How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? • Do you want a yard? How about a garden or space for chickens (hey, it’s New Hampshire)? • What neighborhoods work for your lifestyle, commute, and budget? Once you’ve figured this out, your real estate agent can curate a list of homes that meet your needs. Then comes the fun part—house hunting! Schedule Time and Be Thorough When viewing homes, treat it like a serious project. Strolling through a house in five minutes isn’t enough to spot potential problems. Block out at least 45 minutes to an hour for your first showing, and set up a second showing for homes you’re seriously considering. Ask your agent to get any questions you may have from your first showing answered in the meantime. And don't forget to ask your agent for a current CMA to check the price range. A good agent will be able to do one immediately using their phone. Ask lots of questions, what are the school scores in the area etc. Your agent should have the answers at their fingertips. Research even suggests that buyers who spend more time evaluating homes are more likely to negotiate a better price. Oh and, while you’re at a showing don’t be shy: • Open cabinets, drawers, and closets. • Look behind furniture and under rugs. • Check crawl spaces, basements, and attics. Yes, you might feel like a snoop, but you’re about to make one of the largest investments of your life. It’s worth it. 22
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