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 room might 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 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
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