Home Buying Tip: What to View When Viewing a Home

Shopping for a home is a little like shopping for a car. Unless you know what to look for, you risk being swayed by first impressions and buying something that does not truly meet your needs.

For example, you might fall in love with the recreation room — complete with a bar and a dartboard — and unconsciously overlook the fact that the home doesn’t have enough bedrooms to accommodate your growing family.

So when you’re viewing a potential new home, or checking out a property during a weekend “open house”, make sure the home meets your needs.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Is there enough room for my family, now and in the future? Remember, as kids grow so does the space they require!
Are there enough bedrooms, bathrooms, closets and storage space?
Is the yard big enough?
Will my furniture fit the space?
Do I like the neighborhood? Always take a walk around and explore the area.
Does anything need to be repaired or replaced? If the seller won’t be taking care of such issues, repairs or replacements could add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the true cost of buying the property.