What To Look For At Home Showings

Most people begin the home buying process by looking at homes online and prioritizing their must-have features. Next contact a qualified real estate agent to show you homes. This agent can also recommend reputable lenders to get you pre-approved for a mortgage to clarify the price range you can afford. Completing these things prepares you to make the best out of seeing homes for sale in person and make an offer on the perfect house as soon as you find it.

It is a good idea to wear slip-on shoes as many well-prepared homes will have new carpet, and often the listing agent will have posted a "please remove shoes" sign to help keep the flooring clean. So what should you look for to make sure that you are getting a quality home for your money?

What To Look For On The Outside Of A Home For Sale

Curb Appeal

Minor cosmetic defects such as ugly paint and missing spots of grass are easily correctable, while structural defects and the location of the home are not. Buying the worst looking home in the best neighborhood is often a good bet for getting a great house.

Landscaping

Does the yard need a lot of landscaping and maintenance? Is there sufficient drainage in the area? If you love to garden a home with landscaping needs could be a great opportunity to get a home that others might bypass. However if you don’t want to spend time working in the yard a home needing lots of landscaping may be too much of a hassle or it could be as simple as hiring a landscaper.

The Roof

What is the condition of the roof?  The roof is one of the most expensive features of a home and lasts 15 – 20 years. Find out how old it is or if there are any issues with it.  Are the gutters in good shape? Make sure they drain several feet away from the house.

The Neighborhood

Check out the property at different times of day. Are people out sitting on porches? Are kids playing outside? Is it noisy? You are bound to learn and discover different things about the house each time.

What To Look For On The Inside Of A Home For Sale

Storage

Open the closets and cupboards. Is there enough storage space? Will you need to add organization to the storage space to make it work for you?

Leaks

Study the ceilings for telltale signs of stains or of a recent patch job. Those could indicate a leaky roof or plumbing system. Use your nose to smell for mold and also check for moisture and mold in basements.

Plumbing

Check the taps. Is the water pressure good? Does the water drain easily? A few simple checks can help a buyer beware of any issues.

Electrical

Check the light switches. Do they work? Are there enough outlets? How old is the electrical system? Electrical repairs can be expensive so it is good to make sure everything is in good working condition.

The Structure

A small crack or two in the foundation is common in homes due to settling. If there are a lot of cracks or large ones, have a home inspection before you buy to identify any problems and make sure you know how much it will cost you to deal with any structural issues.

Other Things To Consider When Looking At A Home For Sale

Take Visual and Written Notes

If you view lots of homes in the same day it is easy to get them mixed up, so be prepared to take notes, with a pen and notebook and a camera. Note the most remarkable features - both positive and negative - and attach your notes and pictures to the listing sheet for future reference.

Try To Ignore the House Contents  Sometimes it is the contents of the house and its presentation that appeals/or doesn't to a homebuyer. However the contents are not the house itself, stay rational.

Hold the Trash Talk 

The sellers may be listening as they are sometimes just steps outside or next door. Sellers don't always understand that it's the most interested buyers who pick the place apart to figure out exactly what they will need to do to it to make it theirs. If you end up in a multiple offer situation, you don't want to have an uphill battle because you badmouthed the sequined butterfly "artwork" the seller had hanging in the hallway.

The Boehmer Team

The Boehmer Team includes experienced agents with a dedicated buyers agent available to assist with the needs specific to homebuyers. Contact The Boehmer Team to find the home of your dreams in the area and price range you want.

Additional References:

http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/69516/real_estate/tips_for_buyers_how_to_tour_a_home_like_a_professional.html

http://www.hgtv.com/design/real-estate/house-hunting-mistakes-to-avoid

Understanding Your Property Survey

It is a good idea to get a property survey when you buy a home so that you know the location of the boundaries of your property.  If you are financing your home with a mortgage loan, the lender will most likely require a survey.

Surveys can be very simple to read – if you know what you’re looking at.  There are several basic items that are shown on a boundary survey.  These are a few of the most commonly seen items.

3 Of The Most Common Items On A Survey

1. Street Address

This is typically listed on the drawing, as there are times when the common address is not the same as the address acknowledged by the US Post Office.  It is also a verification that a survey was done on the correct property.

2. Lot Number and Subdivision Name

A surveyor bases their survey off of a recorded deed which contains a legal description (also known as a property description).  This includes the lot number, block number and subdivision name.  Again, further clarification that the survey was performed on the lot that you were intending to purchase.

3. Lot dimensions and bearings

In order to know where the lot is, the surveyor will reference the recorded subdivision plat to find data to determine information about the lot being surveyed.  Items that are commonly referenced include:

• Bearings – these are the angular measurements that determines the direction in which a property line runs.  Common directions would be North, North-east, South-east, etc.
• Distances – these are dimensions provide that determine the width and depth of a property.  These are typically listed in surveyors’ feet (ex. 12.5 feet – which is equivalent to 12 feet and 6 inches).  These measurements are a true horizontal distance, not a slope distance.

“Keep in mind that when you are purchasing a “home”, you are not just purchasing a structure.  You are purchasing a lot or a tract of land that just happens to have a structure on it.  Unless you have a boundary survey performed, you won’t know where your land starts and stops.  Fences, mow lines, hedge rows and utility boxes are not accurate depictions as to where land ownership starts and stops.  Having a boundary survey performed will Make It Known What You Own.”  Shelly Clark – owner, Cardinal Surveying & Mapping, Inc.

There are many components to a survey, we’ve just discussed a few.  These key items aide the surveyor and homeowner in verifying what is being purchased and they help protect the interest of the buyer during the purchase of their home.

The Boehmer Team Can Help

When you are buying a home with The Boehmer Team, we help you get the survey you need. We can recommend reputable surveying companies like Cardinal Surveying for you to choose from.  We also will assist you in reading and understanding the survey results. For a great home buying or selling experience, contact The Boehmer Team.