As a homebuyer, you hold a modicum of power before you start putting in offers (and even afterwards, depending on the market). Along with a solid realtor, you’re in charge of separating the wheat from the chaff. You’re the judge of which places to consider and which ones to pass on. And you can wield that power by being as discerning or lax as you choose.
Throughout this process, the biggest events in your calendar will be home viewings. Home viewings are your one-on-one close-ups with prospective purchases. They provide you the opportunity to prod, probe and scrutinize a property, weighing it against your personal expectations and other viable options.
But there’s a right and wrong way to do them. The wrong way is to breeze in late – with a subpar realtor who “just wants you to make a decision already” – and do a cursory glance of the spot before hightailing it out. This leaves you with as little information and confidence as when you stepped in the door.
Thankfully, the right way isn’t too hard. In this article, explore tips for how to ace your next home viewing.
Step One: Find the Best Realtor Possible
This should be a no-brainer for every important real estate process, but it bears mentioning. A great realtor will:
- Have done their homework on the property
- Know the common “red flags” to look for in a spot
- Know what elements of a property/location make it desirable
- Ask probing questions of the listing agent
- And, in general, guide you through the viewing process as professional counsel
Therefore, your first step in the home viewing process is really the first step in homebuying overall: find the best realtor in your area. For a textbook example of what this looks like, check out the website for Harvey Kalles Real Estate – specifically, their section titled “Our Advantage.”
If You’re Viewing with a Partner, Get on the Same (or Similar) Page
Most (though not all) people attend home showings with a partner. It’s usually a significant other, but it can be a business partner, too.
In any case, you want to enter that viewing as a like-minded team. The last thing you want to show a prospective seller is bickering or disagreement. It’s better to act as a unified unit intent on the same criteria, expectations and deal-breakers.
To accomplish this sense of synergy, sit down with your partner and try to reach a consensus. You don’t have to agree on everything, but you should be on a similar page about significant things like price, amenity criteria and location. If disagreements arise, plan to table them until after the viewing, when you can discuss them in private or safe conversation with your realtor.
Be a Gracious Guest: Punctual, Respectful and Hygienic
File this one under “G” for “General conduct.”
Remember, you are a guest in someone’s home. While the buyer-seller relationship is largely transaction, you are still beholden to certain lines of etiquette – especially considering that a seller’s home probably means a lot to them.
Be punctual, respect their home rules (i.e., take your shoes off if they ask), wash your hands before arriving, don’t snoop unless you have express consent, and refrain from openly criticizing features of the home you don’t like.
In addition to being best practices for normal human interactions, these respectful gestures may ingratiate you if the seller has to choose between multiple offers. In short: it pays to be kind!
“See the Forest for the Trees”
Sometimes, buyers get so hung up on one unsatisfactory element in a home – a leaky faucet, scuffed floorboard or paint chip – that they dismiss the place entirely.
To some extent, that’s an understandable reaction; you want this giant purchase to be perfect. But how much would fixing that leaky faucet or cosmetic imperfection cost? $100, maybe $200? It’s not worth hinging your entire assessment of a place on one easily changeable feature.
Instead, try to “see the forest for the trees.” Together with the best realtor you can find, attempt to evaluate the home holistically, taking into account all of its pros and cons.
Ask Lots of Questions
Remember, your realtor is your steward, guide and knowledgeable confidant in this process. Use them to maximum effect.
Unsure whether the home’s renovations are up to code? Ask your realtor. Aren’t familiar with the neighbourhood, vis a vis its amenities, schools and safety? Ask your realtor. Not certain whether this condo unit has upcoming special levies or a proactive strata council? Ask your realtor.
Honestly, you might feel like you’re being “extra” about the whole thing, but you aren’t; you are doing your due diligence, a fact that any great realtor will admire. In all likelihood, your realtor will kick your questions over to the listing agent and follow up if they don’t receive an immediate answer in person.
If you can find the best realtor in your area, align your criteria with your partner, view the home holistically, and leave no stone unturned – all while remaining cordial and respectful to the buyer – you will have aced your home viewing. Once you’ve attended a few, it’s just a matter of picking your dream home out of the lineup.
Also read: Maximizing Your Rental Apartment Living Experience: Summer Upkeep for Renters
