So, you have identified some homes on the market that you would like to see and we have set up your showings. Before we head out to take a look, here are some tips to be best prepared:
- Most sellers require you to be pre-approved before being able to see their home. Make sure you have an UPDATED preapproval ready to go so that we are 100% ready to submit an offer if we find a home you are ready to move on!
- Sellers often require 24 hours' notice prior to showings or may have put other limitations on showings such as no showings after 6 pm or on Sundays, etc. Your flexibility is key because we always want to try to get in as quickly as possible.
- Wear comfortable slip-on shoes so that you can remove them easily and quickly as we are visiting homes.
- Plan to take notes! Seeing more than a few homes at any given time can be overwhelming and you will want to recall the things you like and don't like about each home. Don't rely on your memory alone!
- If a lot of sunlight is important to you in a home, then let's try to do showings during daylight hours.
- Dress for the weather. The walkway or driveway may be snowy, icy, muddy, etc.
- Don’t assume we’ll be able to use the restroom so plan accordingly.
- Really try to focus on the property and not their furnishings, artwork, or "stuff". You will want to envision making it YOUR home.
- Avoid touching furniture or personal items as we don’t want to be responsible should something break.
- If you are bringing children with you to the showings, please remind them not to play with the toys and things they see in the house. They will need to stay close at all times to avoid any accidents.
- The home inspection comes AFTER a contract is agreed upon and signed by both the buyer and seller. During a typical showing, we should not be in the crawl spaces, attic, etc.
- Some sellers will have cameras and/or other recording devices in their homes so be aware of what you say and do. Don’t talk about how much you can afford, what kind of offer you want to make on the home, etc. while in the house in case someone is listening.
- Also, be mindful not to give too much away about yourself and why you’re buying as that information could hurt us later during the negotiation process.
- If we are going to be out for the long haul, be sure to bring drinks and snacks as looking at lots of homes can be grueling!
- We will have a schedule to maintain so it is important we stay on track but always let us know how you are feeling and what you need.
Now let's get started!
