Reno Buyers: "When I Go to a Showing, What Should I Look For?"

"When I Go to a Showing, What Should I Look For?"

The most important thing you can do at a showing is not to look at the house as a home but as a house: four walls, floor, and a roof.  Sometimes, buyers often get caught up in the moment.

"I actually prefer to show a vacant house rather than one with furniture in it because by the time the buyers get halfway through, they're looking at the antique sewing machine, not the bones of the house.

Mary, a fellow agent in San Antonio, Texas, says she tries to have people look dispassionately at the homes that are for sale--that's a good strategy.  When emotions run high we tend to make pre-mature decisions.  That's ok when we're in the food court.  Not when buying a house.

Try to inspect everything, every nook and cranny, every corner of the house.  Pick up rugs to inspect the condition of the floor.  Open all the doors, poke through the closets. 

On your first showing, you are looking for a home that meets your basic needs:

• Is it in the right location?

• Does it have enough bedrooms and bathrooms?

• Is there enough storage space?

• Is there parking?

• Is it safe?

If the home meets the basic requirements, then start to look for how many wish list items it includes:

• Is there an extra bedroom and/or bathroom?

• Is there a double vanity in the second bathroom?

• Is there a garden or deck?

• Is there a separate laundry room?

• Is there a basement or crawl space?

• Is the garage attached?

• Can the kids walk to school?

• Is there a wood-burning fireplace or a gas fireplace?

• What is the condition of the house, its appliances, roof, foundation, walls, mechanicals, wiring, etc?

First-Time Buyer Tip: If you're having trouble remembering which home had more of the features you want, or are finding it difficult to rank homes based on their amenities, try this simple rating system.

Assign five points to each item in the top five spots on your wish list and reality list.

Assign one point to the remaining items on each list.  As you go through each house, check off all the features it has on the wish list and reality list.  Add up the points and put that number at the top of the listing sheet. 

It should help you non emotionally rank the homes.

Source: 100 questions every first time home buyer should ask.(it's good book, you should get it.)