We Tell it Like It Is

I guess you don't realize how you are supposed to behave and what you're supposed to do when you first start looking at houses to buy. I don't ever think about that anymore since its my job and I'm so used to it. So, I decided it would be good to blog about recommended behavior for buyers that are just getting started. I have to laugh at some people (not viciously; its a secret laugh that I keep to myself and find it innocently amusing) when they first start looking at homes. Some people go completely overboard and analyze every inch of each home. I've had buyers open and close every single window (in the summer or in the dead of winter) in the house (when you are looking at 6-8 houses in a day, it gets to be a long day as you have to stand and watch them do this in EVERY house), flush all the toilets (because that's a major indicator of whether a house is a good one to buy), count every electrical and cable outlet, take detailed written notes (even if they don't like the house & know right off the bat they wouldn't buy it), abnd ask me crazy questions like "what kind of cement was used to pour the concrete in the basement?" (#1: do you really think I'd know the answer to that and #2: would that have a direct impact on whether or not you'd buy the house?). Relax you guys!

Looking at houses for the first time -- you just want to walk in and get a feel of it. Do you like the location of the home? Do you like the layout? Do you feel comfortable in it? Can you see yourself living there and being happy? If the answer is no to those questions, then don't bother flushing the toilets. You are not there to inspect the mechanics of the home. You are there to get a feel of whether or not the place could work for you. Save the smaller details for the 2nd showing. Yes, you can and should look at the houses you like again. The first few outings are designed to just get a feel of what's out there. You can take what you like and schedule 2nd showings to see them again. Then, focus more on the details. Open all the windows you want. Ask me crazy questions. See the homes for a 3rd time. But, on first showings, just take it easy and allow yourself to just feel it or not.