Real Estate Home Showing Guide

Get The Most Out Of A Real Estate Showing

As the weather warms up, more and more Savannah citizens are spending their days browsing new properties on the market. Viewing a house is an essential part of finding your dream home, it lets you get an idea of how the property looks and feels.

However, if you do not spend a lot of time checking out real estate, you can make a few mistakes that could cause you to miss out on the perfect property. To have a truly successful home showing, make sure you check out these tips.

Bring Your Agent With You

You might think it is unnecessary to have your own agent if the listing agent is going to be at the showing. However, it is important to have a real estate agent who is focused on your own interests during the process. They can point out details you may not be aware of and can ask questions you might not have considered. Having an agent with you is also useful because it reassures sellers that you are seriously interested in the property.

Don’t Be Distracted By Bad Decor

A lot of home buyers make the mistake of walking into an occupied and furnished home for sale, not being fans of the seller’s existing decor, and then completely writing off the property as a result. One home buyer viewed a home and chose to pass on the home over something as silly as the owner’s existing window blinds!

It may be difficult to control your first impressions of a property, but do not let these impressions heavily influence your decision. Things like paint colors, decor, or curtains may not be your personal style, but they can be easily changed. Focus on the rooms’ sizes, architectural features, window size, and floor plan when evaluating a property because these things are more complex to alter and likely to cost more to change.

Pay Attention To Structural Integrity

Look at the floors for any unusual sagging and dipping, which can imply structural weakness. Another sign of problems may be cracks on walls, especially if the walls are brick. Take the time to ask about the age of the roof, plumbing, and electrical system. This step is particularly important when looking at older homes because some historic homes may have foundation issues or roof problems that make them challenging to renovate.

Unless you are a professional home inspector or builder, you probably won’t see all potential problems. However, do not worry. At this stage, you just need to keep an eye out for any obvious issues. We do recommend that buyers should always obtain a professional home inspection, but that comes later.

Don’t Ignore The Outdoors

It is easy to get caught up in all the interesting details inside the house and just take a quick glance at the yard and street. However, the location is the one thing you can never change about a property, so you need to really pay attention to it.

Think about the street, any neighborhood amenities, the neighborhood, and consider if you would be comfortable living there. Check the yard for any sloping areas that could cause draining issues, and consider whether you are willing to put in the time and effort to deal with maintaining any large trees. If possible, chat with neighbors to ask how they feel about the area.

Focus On Bathrooms And Storage Areas

Most buyers focus on the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms because they are going to spend most of their time in those areas. However, the often ignored areas of the home can tell you a lot about the property. Peek into storage closets and cabinets to see if there will be enough space for all your belongings, and try flushing toilets and running sinks to get an idea of plumbing in the house.

Look carefully at the walls of the attic and basement for darkened splotches, chalky-looking areas, peeling paint, or insect droppings that can be a sign of water damage or other neglect.

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions

Browsing around someone’s living area can feel a little intrusive, so many buyers tend to remain quiet and avoid chatting much with the sellers and their agents. It is important to get over the awkwardness and ask as much as you can about the property.

Do not negotiate without a Realtor present, but you can discuss past renovations, the ages of appliances, any known problems or fixes on the seller’s list, and more. This gives you the chance to find out more about the house and lets the homeowners explain any damage that you notice. For financial and other purchase-related information or negotiations, leave that up to the Realtors.

For more information about how you can sell or buy a home in Savannah or a home in Pooler, contact the Heather Murphy Real Estate Group today!