Prior to your tour
If you are scheduled to tour a property with your agent (or even at an open house), there are some preparations you can make ahead of time that may make sense. My first recommendation is to ask for the Property Disclosure and read it carefully. If there are problems/repairs you want to learn more about or better understand, you can make it a point to check them out when you are there. I’d also recommend using the street view map tool to take a virtual tour of the street/block. If there are any red flags (properties that seem derelict, proximity to a train or commercial/industrial lots), you can plan some reconnaissance. Finally, if you expect you might want to make an offer on a particular property, you might even consider arranging an inspection (a full inspection or a “walk and talk”) which can allow you to make a more appealing offer (as it would not have an inspection contingency).
Things to bring with you
Some things you might want to have during the showing include:
- Measuring tape
- Flashlight (some attics and basements don’t have good lighting)
- Inspector (if you are having an inspection done–see above)
- Something to write/record questions, dimensions, notes or pictures
What to pay attention to
Neighborhood: Obviously, you are looking at a specific house and property, but pay attention to the neighborhood and what the street and other homes look like. Note whether you can park on the street. Are there streetlights? sidewalks? If you’ve done the street view tour, you may already know some of this information.
Property: As for the property itself, notice the “non-house” parts–does the driveway need to be repaved? Are there lots of trees overhanging the house or other landscaping to be done? Are there boggy areas? Is it/will it need to be fenced? How do any decks or patios look?
Interior: Condition of the interior is one thing to notice. Are the wood floors in good shape? Would you need to paint, update kitchens or bathrooms? Tear out paneling? What about lighting? You also want to be sure to check the HVAC and hot water heater as though systems need to be working for your safety and comfort. A big concern is whether the basement is dry. If water comes in, it can be very costly to fix (and if your plan is to finish that space for living area, you need to know if it currently gets wet!). If you are thinking about upgrading/remodeling, ask yourselves some questions. For example, how long could you tolerate living with the existing kitchen and how long will it take you to save the money to update it? If those timelines don’t match, you’ll need to rethink. Would you/could you do any of the updates prior to moving in? How does that affect budget, proposed settlement date and timing related to selling your current home?
After condition, what you’ll notice most is the layout and flow of the home and size and shapes of the rooms. Think about furniture placement. Can you place a sofa so it’s not up against a window or in a doorway? In the bedrooms, can you locate the bed so it’s not against a window or radiator and be able to get out of it and still have clearance to open the closet door? Is there adequate storage in the kitchen, in the bedroom closets and for overflow for all that “stuff” you have accumulated?
Get the most out of your visit
A little “homework” before seeing a property can stand you in good stead by focusing you on some of the important factors, including neighborhood characteristics and repairs or problems noted on the Seller’s Property Disclosure. You may even choose to arrange for an inspection. Be sure to bring along a measuring tape and some other tools along as they can come in handy.
When you’re there, don’t forget to look around at the property and home exterior before/after checking out the inside. Take some notes and even some pictures to remind yourselves, when you are no longer in the house, of the major factors you need to consider for each property you visit. I often suggest buyers take a video that they narrate with comments like “this pantry seems small” or “not sure what we could do with this nook–could it work as an office?”. These reminders are particularly useful when you see several houses in a day.
If you are relocating to the Philadelphia/Main Line area, please go to my blog page and search for posts using the relocation tag. Contact me to discuss your Philadelphia area relocation! jen@jenniferlebow.com/610 308-5973
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