Home Previewing
Home previewing can be a very exciting phase of the home buying process. It can also be a very complicated phase. To simplify the process, take note of the home previewing process below.
Step 1: Schedule the Appointment
48hr Rule of Thumb
Obtaining access to homes can be challenging, as a result it is a good idea to give your Realtor at least 48 hours to make the necessary calls to obtain access to the home. Here are some of the most common reasons why obtaining access to the home can take time.
- Tenants: If a home has a tenant, the tenant needs a 48 hour notice (by law) before the home can be shown.
- Occupied Homes: Often home owners need the same amount of time to make sure the home is ready to be shown.
- Bank Owned Homes: It is very common for a bank owned home to have a combination lock on the home, in which case the listing agent will need to be contacted.
- Listing Agents: Listing agents are often very busy and don’t return phone calls quickly.
Plan to meet at one of the homes and spend up to three hours looking at homes.
Step 2: Create the List of Homes to See
7 Homes is Ideal
By the time you have seen seven homes, you will come to realize you can’t remember all the details of each home. So keep the list of homes to preview at or below seven and you’ll have more success remembering the good homes.
Sending the List of Homes
The easiest way to let your Realtor know what home you would like to see is by sending him/her the seven digit MLS number. These numbers can be used to quickly look up the homes. The second best way is to send a link of the property report to the agent so they can find the MLS number. Lastly, you can send the property address to the agent for them to look up the property.
Step 3: Preview the Neighborhoods
It is a very good idea to drive the neighborhoods before going out with your Realtor. Getting a feel for the neighborhood and the surrounding area will help you eliminate a good number of homes and will save you valuable time when you go out with your Realtor.
If you don’t have a lot of time to drive around, then consider using google maps to see the street view of the neighborhood. Sometimes the quality of the neighborhood might not be a good fit for you. Or you might discover a power line right behind the house and decide that is or isn’t something you want in your new home.
What the Agent will Do
Once the agent has been able to confirm appointments and access to each of the homes, you will receive the following via email:
- A revised list of the homes to be viewed during the appointment
- Important notes regarding the properties that may have been discovered
- Which home to meet at
- Directions and maps
- MLS sheets for you to print if you would like a personal copy (this helps reduce paper waste)
- Appointment confirmation
What the Agent will Bring
The agent will bring a handful of tools to help you with your home search. They will include:
- Camera
- Flip Video Camera
- Tape Measure
- Clipboard for notes
- Ice chest with water (during summer months)
If there is anything you would like the agent to bring, simply send them an email with your request.
Day of the Appointment
You will meet with your agent at the home noted in email with the appointment details. From there you can choose to caravan behind the agent, which allows you to discuss the home candidly with anyone you choose to bring with you. Otherwise, you are more than welcome to carpool with the agent, which gives you an additional opportunity to ask questions regarding the homes or the real estate market.
The agent will provide access to the home and will point out any important details regarding the home that could cause issues with the appraisal, future home value, or financing. This is an excellent time to ask any questions about the home and the real estate market.