Here are some things to avoid when looking at homes.
As a first time home buyer, it is exciting to go out and tour homes. Doing so helps you get a clearer idea of what you need and want in a home and helps you get the feel of a particular neighborhood or area that you may want to call home. Touring homes in person is also different than looking at them online. Sometimes you find that the layout of a home wasn’t what you were expecting or that the home needs a little more TLC than the pictures presented. While it’s important for buyers to take a thorough look through a home, it is equally important to remember that the home belongs to someone else. As a Locust Grove REALTOR ® I’ve shown many buyers homes; here are nine things not to do when viewing a home.
Ignore the request to remove shoes
Sellers request that shoes are removed inside of the home for a variety of reasons. Maybe it is because the carpeting is new. Perhaps the sellers have a full weekend of showings and don’t want to come home late Sunday evening to a floor that needs cleaned. Whatever the reason, please take the time to remove your shoes or enjoy a good giggle as you parade around the home in the blue shoe covers.
Truly it is important to honor any requests that the sellers make. They are trusting that you will treat their homes with respect when they open them up to you.
Bring a bunch of friends or family members with you
Everyone has opinions. Not everyone is contributing to the purchase of your home. While it is nice to have some support and input into a home you are interested in purchasing, for showings try to keep attendance limited to the people who are going to live in the home. This will help you decide if you like the property without being influenced by others.
Assume that you have privacy
The amount of homes that have video surveillance through doorbell cameras and other recording equipment is probably higher than the amount that do not. While touring a home, it is better to err on the side of caution and assume that someone is watching or listening. In the state of Virginia, sellers are required to disclose to their real estate agent in the listing agreement the presence of surveillance equipment on the property. As a buyer, you want to assume that any conversation that you have in the property can be heard. Whether you are discussing positive or negative opinions about the home, it may be best to share these thoughts with your agent after you have left the property.
Share the home with other on social media
If you find a home that you love, then it can be hard to fight the urge to share it with others. Posting videos or photographs on social media should be put on pause until you are the owner of the home. As a Locust Grove REALTOR® I have done video tours for clients that are out of the area, but I always request permission from the homeowner before doing this. You never know the privacy level of others and you don’t want to unintentionally violate it.
Taking a home off the list because of cosmetics
Don’t discount a home because the paint color or decor isn’t to your taste. While it can be hard to see past a brightly painted wall or large paintings of clowns hanging in a hallway, these are easy fixes. Focus on whether you like the aspects of a home that are not easy to change like the location and layout of the home.
Bring food into the home
If you’ve spent a long day looking at homes, then it can be tempting to bring a snack or drink into a home. Please leave these in the car. The homeowners may have allergies to certain foods and you don’t know the severity of them.
Use the bathroom
Save yourself some embarrassment, and ask your agent if it is okay to use the bathroom in the home. If you get the go ahead, make sure the water is turned on before you close the bathroom door. Nobody wants to have to call the sellers to ask where the water turn on valve is located.
Not opening closets
Closet space is important. While you don’t want to be rummaging through a strangers pantry, it is ok to open doors and peek inside. You want to understand how much storage space is in the home and whether it is sufficient for your particular needs.
Arriving early or late to your appointment time
If you are excited about viewing a home, then chances are that others are too. Make sure to arrive at the home at the time of your scheduled appointment. Arriving late means that you will have less time to look through the home-especially if there is another appointment afterwards. Sometimes circumstances beyond your control arise; if that happens, then please keep in touch with your Locust Grove REALTOR® to find out if it is okay to tour the home or if you will need to reschedule.
If you are ready to start your home search, then I am here to help! Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have, to learn more about the home buying property, or to view some in person!
