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Home Shopping Tips
Home Shopping Tips from our 23 years selling real estate in Ma.
Quick Tips:
Skip the notebook: Request full version printouts of each property
you are viewing, make notes on the back of each instead of double note taking in a separate notebook. Shuffle best properties to the front-keep a yes side and a maybe side.
Chuck printouts into an inexpensive pocket folder. Have a system and stick to it. Easy to do-make your own.
Discard the no chance properties right away.
You'll keep your focus better that way.
Remember a property's tax assessment is not the market value. A good
measuring tool is to compare square foot cost among properties. This is shown right on the listing.
Bring a CD with photo galleries in the car with you.
Most of the homes for sale listings will have a photo gallery posted by the
listing broker.
We'll burn a CD with all the photos and listing information before we go out to see properties. Then you don't have to worry about taking photos and can relax and concentrate on what you are doing.
The biggest problem identified by buyers is that they aren't accustomed to
looking at so many homes at one time. They get tired, mix up all the different properties and their features. This is a good way to keep the properties clear in your mind.
And you can send it to family and friends to include them.
Best House Viewing Procedures
Order of Rooms viewed..
Finding the Realtor lockbox, make sure to go to the front foyer first, then to the most formal room second. Seeing how a seller keeps their most formal room can be instructive.
Don't let bad furniture placement get you bogged down.
Move child and pet restraints too to make sure you can walk into any room you choose easily.
Fully view closets, pantries, cabinets, do not be bashful, you can quickly
inspect drawers, doors, and real closet and storage space-you'll get good at it.
Bring an inexpensive flashlight tucked away in a pocket.
Note a rooms lighting deficiencies this way too.
Do the entire first floor, then upper floors, attic (if any) and basements last.
Keep an eye out for mold in both attics and basements.
Take a second look
by yourselves or with the buyer agent if you think you like it. You'll learn it, quickly re-affirm it, and be able to move on to the next one.
Leave by the front door if possible, start and leave from the most formal rooms.
Rate homes at the end of the day:
Some buyers like to rate homes on a scale, work up your own formula but make sure
to apply it to every house you see fairly, don't change the rules each time you are out shopping.
Give Feedback to your buyers agent:
Tell your broker plainly what features you like or dislike, it will help them
streamline the process for you and they won't waste your time with property suggestions that won't fit your lifestyle.
Identify Key Features
First House? Talk with spouse about their parents homes layout. Lots of
people aline with the layout they grew up in.
Ask whether you like the bedrooms on the 1st or second floor, want a formal Dining Room, do you like contemporary floor plans or are you a traditionalist.
Don't bring babies or young children on shopping trips:
This is such a hard topic, but, from experience you will do better and your house
shopping will be much easier if you take up your parents and siblings offer to watch the kids. You'll be focused, it'll be a special event.
Second Viewings
This is the time and place for family and friends in the buying process.
Do most of the work yourself and bring in advisors near the latter stages. You have enough to worry about without extraneous influences and distractions.
Want some more tips or would you like us to help you find the perfect home We are
certified Buyers Agents and we would be happy to help.
We offer FREE Buyer Representation Certified Buyers Agents
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