What Should I Look for When Touring a Home?
Walking into a beautiful home can make it very easy to forget why you’re there.
Fresh paint.
Perfect furniture.
Great lighting.
A gorgeous kitchen.
And suddenly you’re imagining where the Christmas tree is going to go.
I get it.
But when you’re touring a home, you need to look beyond the staging.
Start With the Layout
Before you get distracted by finishes, walk through the house.
Ask yourself:
Does this layout actually work for me?
Think about:
- How people move through the home
- Where the bedrooms are located
- Bathroom placement
- Kitchen location
- Laundry
- Storage
- Entryway
- Garage access
- Outdoor access
A beautiful room doesn’t matter much if the overall layout doesn’t work for your life.
Look at the Condition
You don’t need to be a contractor.
But you should pay attention.
Look at:
- Floors
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Windows
- Doors
- Plumbing fixtures
- Appliances
- Visible water staining
- Obvious cracks
- Signs of moisture
- General maintenance
You’re not performing a home inspection.
You’re simply noticing what you see.
Look Up
Seriously.
Look at the ceilings.
Water stains, discoloration or other visible signs can be worth asking about.
Don’t assume something is a major problem.
Don’t assume it’s nothing.
Just notice it and ask questions.
Look Down
Look at the floors.
Are they level?
Do you notice damaged areas?
Are there stains?
Does anything feel unusual when you’re walking through?
Again, you’re not diagnosing anything.
You’re gathering information.
Open Things
Within reason, look at closets.
Open cabinets.
Look at storage.
Check doors.
Look at windows.
You want to understand how the home actually functions—not just how it photographs.
Listen
This is a big one.
Stop talking for a minute.
Listen.
Can you hear traffic?
Neighbors?
Airplanes?
Trains?
Mechanical equipment?
A barking dog?
You may not notice noise while everyone is talking during a busy showing.
Take a quiet moment.
Look Outside
Don’t forget the exterior.
Look at:
- Yard
- Grading
- Drainage
- Roof
- Siding
- Driveway
- Deck
- Patio
- Fencing
- Neighboring properties
Some of these items may require professional evaluation later.
But seeing something is worth noting.
Don’t Forget Your Lifestyle
Imagine a normal Tuesday.
Where will you park?
Where will groceries come in?
Where will the dog go?
Where will the kids drop their backpacks?
Where will you work?
Where will you put your stuff?
A house can look fantastic and still not work for your everyday life.
And Don’t Panic
Seeing something you don’t like doesn’t automatically mean you should walk away.
That’s what inspections and other parts of the due-diligence process are for.
Your job during a showing is to observe, ask questions and gather information.
My job is to help you navigate the process and make sure you understand what happens next.
Have a Question?
Buying a home comes with a lot of questions. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
Have a question about something you read here? Want to talk through your situation? Or just not sure what your next step should be?
I’m happy to help.
Schedule a Time to Talk With Karyn
No pressure. No obligation. Just straight answers.
Prefer to just send me a question?