How to View a Home | Home Shopping Must Do's

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12 Essential Tips for Viewing Homes

Six Minute Read

Written by Ed Andrews III on July 29th, 2020

Before you go home shopping there’s a few things you should be prepared for. It’s important to make the most of this time, so stay tuned while I walk you through the 12 most important things you should do when going home shopping.

1. Make Sure Your Realtor Knows Your Needs vs Your Wants

Nothing is worse than when your Realtor burns your Saturday taking you to look at homes that you would never consider purchasing. However if this happens to you, it may be your fault.

If you haven’t given your realtor a detailed list of your needs, wants, and deal-breakers you haven’t given them the tools they need to pick the best houses for you to view.

For more information on what to consider when putting this list together please watch my video “figuring out what you need in a home vs what you want”. The link is in the description below.

2. Take Your Time

Don’t think you’re going to finish this in a day. Don’t try to visit 10 homes in one day (honestly, if you haven't found it after viewing ten homes, you probably skipped step one). You don’t want to be on a super tight schedule. If you find a home you like you want to have time to really dig in.

You may want to drive around the neighborhood to get a better feel, and see the amenities. You may even want to drive around the community to see what’s close by.

3. Ask for Utility Bills

If you find a home you like, consider the age of the home, appliances, and heating/cooling systems. An older home with older components may cost more to operate. Your realtor should be able to reach out to the listing agent and get a copy of some recent utility bills.

This can be important information to ensure you don’t blow your budget. People tend to not think about utility costs when upgrading to a bigger home.

4. Bring a Tape Measure and a Pad

You may like a property, but see things that spark questions you’ll want the realtor to ask the listing agent. Have something with you that you can use to take notes. Also a tape measure can come in handy.

It’s good to have an idea of how your furniture will fit in the new space, or size restrictions for new furniture you may want to buy (after you close).

5. Is There a Seller’s Disclosure?

Depending on what state you’re in the buyer is required to disclose certain deficiencies with the property. You may not be able to obtain this until you put the home under contract, but often it’s made available to anyone viewing the property.

It’s good to examine this with a fine tooth comb to ensure there’s nothing wrong with the home that would be too much for you to personally deal with.

6. How Did it Look When You Pulled Up

Did you know that nearly half of home shoppers decide whether or not they’re going to buy a house based on how it looks when they pull up to the property? “Curb Appeal” is important, so don’t underestimate it.

If the property doesn’t look great on the outside, ask yourself if there are some simple changes or upgrades you can make to really spruce it up. Keep in mind that one day you may want to sell the home.

7. Don’t Stress Over Cosmetic Issues

Sometimes viewing properties requires you to use some imagination. If you find a house that has everything you need and some of what you want, but the wallpaper is hideous or the carpets are trashed....don’t stress.

These are typically simple things that can be changed and don’t require a ton of money. Try to look past the current homeowners furniture and décor (or lack thereof) and imagine what the home will look like once you give it your touch. You don’t want to miss out on the perfect home for all the wrong reasons.

8. Go Back at a Different Time

If you like the home enough to consider making an offer, you should revisit the property. Go at a different time.

What does the neighborhood look like in the evenings? How quiet or vibrant is the neighborhood on the weekends? What is the traffic like in and out of the area during rush hour? All of these are things you’ll have to deal with when living there, so you’ll be best served to find out about them now.

9. You’re Going to Have to Pry a Little

If you’re a nice person that values their privacy you probably have some reservations about violating someone else’s. But unfortunately this may be your only time to view the home. You have to pull back the curtain.

Open drawers or cabinets if you feel so inclined. See how doors open and close. If something looks off, investigate it a little deeper. You don’t want any surprises. Especially not things that you’ll be disappointed you didn’t notice the first time. So don’t be shy. You’re there to view a home, so by all means....view it!

10. Relax

The seller’s may not be far away. Hell for all you know they could have nanny cameras in the home. If you have fallen in love with the house, you don’t necessarily want them to know that.

Don’t risk the seller seeing your raw emotions about the house. Wait until you and your agent drive off to discuss your true feelings about the property.

11. Consider the Property Taxes

The MLS listing should give you the unexempt taxes for the property. If not, they are public record so you can find them online. Taxes can play a huge impact in your home budget. If you find yourself looking in an area with a lower tax rate, you may be able to go a little higher on your purchase price and still stay within budget.

In some cases a home is just undervalued by the county and the taxes are incredibly reasonable. So be sure to pay attention to this.

12. Keep Your Head on Straight

You’re not viewing homes to figure out what you want. You should have already identified your wants and needs. So when you go to view homes, you’re just checking off boxes. Don’t be distracted by extravagant media rooms, swimming pools, or outdoor kitchens.

If those items were that important they would be on your list. Stay focused on the items that you said were the most important to you.

Now that you have an idea of the things that should be top of mind while you’re home shopping, you may be wondering what to lookout for when considering new construction. For more about that topic be sure to watch my video “what are the dangers of buying new construction”, where I’ll be exposing some of the builder secrets that cost home-shoppers money.

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About the Author:
Ed Andrews III

Ed Andrews III is a mortgage loan officer, and U.S. veteran of the Iraq & Afghanistan Wars. He is an expert on VA home loans, and dedicated to helping veterans achieve home-ownership.