Property Tour Tips

Seeing really is believing, especially when it comes to buying a home.

Property Tour Tips

Take Notes
Take a property flyer and make notes on it as you walk around the property.

Take Photos
Bring a camera or camera phone and take photos, but be sure to ask the agent first in case there are any privacy issues. You won’t remember what drew you to a house after you’ve seen 15 more, so make sure you take pictures of what stood out, what you didn’t like, the view—anything that will remind you why this property is worthy of your shortlist. Organize the photos into folders with the address, relevant stats (bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.), and the asking price.

Pick Things Up and Move Them Around
Lift up rugs, look under tables and shelves, turn on the water faucets and light switches, open and close windows, look under wall hangings. As long as you’re respectful of the space, you shouldn’t be shy about really inspecting it. Agents will strategically place rugs or coverings to hide water damage, stains, uneven floors, or other flaws.

Mimic Your Commute
When you visit, make sure to go to the house the same way you would travel if you lived in it. For example, if you plan to commute by bus or subway, take a bus or subway there. If you plan to drive, take your car. That way, you can get an idea of what traveling to and from the property will be like, the traffic and parking situation, the distance to the bus stop, whether the walk to public transportation cuts through a bad neighborhood, and more. You don’t want to be surprised to find that parking is impossible for guests or that you have to walk through a very dangerous area at night to get home from work after you move in.

Take Multiple Trips
Once you’ve decided a place is worthy of your shortlist, take a few more trips to see it. Go at different times of the day to see it in different lights, bring someone whose advice you trust,and go by yourself. It’s important to give yourself the complete picture.

Don’t Expect Too Much from the Listing Agent
The listing agent might know the market and have an understanding of the area, but they aren’t going to know the nuances of the property. They won’t be able to give you much insight on the neighbors, how happy the previous owner was, or whether the neighborhood is dog friendly.

Talk to Neighbors
Without actually knocking on doors and disturbing people, try to get a feel for the neighborhood. Go to a local coffee shop and strike up conversation with the barrista, or go for a walk in the park and see what the locals are like. Even if you don’t get to have conversations with people, you can get a feel for the type of people the area is suited to.

Don’t Ask Too Many People for Advice
It’s good to get a lot of research and personal stories under your belt, but remember that real estate is all about personal taste. Asking too many people for advice could make you second guess your choices or confuse you. A friend who had a $2 million budget will have had a very different buying experience from you if you’re capping your budget at $350,000. A newlywed couple who bought in an up-and-coming neighborhood will have made very different choices if you’re looking for a place to settle your family of five. Choose a few people who have also been through the process and were looking for a similar type of home for their tips and takeaways.