Actually getting to see homes is the fun, but also sometimes stressful, part of buying a home. You want to find the perfect home that will fit the next chapter of your life. It can be frustrating when you do not find that perfect home on Day 1. Let’s go over some tips for seeing homes.

Cameras, Cameras, Cameras

Cameras are everywhere these days, especially in homes for sale! Almost everyone has some kind of video doorbell. Some homeowners also have cameras around the exterior of their property or when their home is for sale, cameras inside the home to see what buyers are saying and how buyers are behaving. Be aware that everything you say (or do!) may be seen.

What are some things you should definitely NOT discuss in the home you are previewing?

  • How much you LOVE the house
  • How much you would be willing to pay for the house
  • Negative comments on the sellers’ furniture, decor or housekeeping skills

What are some things you should definitely NOT do in the home you are previewing?

  • Look in drawers of furniture that is not conveying as part of the sale. It is perfectly find to open the pantry to see the size, open cabinets to see the layout or open the closet to see the space. It is not acceptable to look in furniture like nightstands, dressers of chests of drawers that will be removed when the sellers move.
  • Make yourself at home – do not sit or lay on the sellers’ beds or sit on furniture
  • Try on sellers’ clothes or jewelry
  • This one should go without saying, but do not take anything that is not yours.

Don’t let what you say (or do) while looking at a home negatively affect your negotiation ability. 

Social Media

Most everyone is on social media these days, and sellers and buyers will look for the other party online to see what they are saying or doing.

What should you NOT post on social media when you are looking for a home?

  • How much you love and cannot live without a home you previewed. If the seller see that, you’ll likely be paying full price.
  • Talking about pulling out of a purchase because you changed your mind. While there are legitimate ways within the contract to not go through with the purchase of a home, you could lose your earnest money deposit for just backing out of a transaction.
  • Posting pictures of a sellers’ home online with negative comments about the sellers’ decor or housekeeping skills. That’s just mean.

General Tips When Looking at Homes

When looking at homes, here are a few things to keep in mind.

  • Wear comfortable shoes that you can easily take on or off. Some sellers ask that you remove your shoes in the home or wear shoe covers.
  • Do not use sellers’ bathrooms. We can plan stops for bathroom and snack breaks.
  • Do not eat or drink in the sellers’ home. Feel free to bring snacks or drinks with you for a day of showings but keep them in the car.
  • Do not touch sellers’ personal belongings or sit on the sellers’ furniture. You do not want to be responsible for anything you break.
  • Keep kids at home for showings, if possible. If you do need to bring your children, make sure they do not sit on the sellers’ furniture, play with any toys or break anything.
  • Arrive on time for your scheduled appointment. Typically, I schedule showing blocks for 15-30 minutes per home, depending on the buyers. I have requested that time with the seller and cannot show the home outside of that time without permission. If we run late (or early), I’ll call the listing agent to see if we can move our showing time, but know we may need to adjust our plan of homes of see.
  • Ask questions (just do not give an opinion on the answer) like how old is the roof, water heater, HVAC, etc., what is the HOA fee, how far is the home from ___, what conveys with the sale, etc.
  • Leave pets at home
  • Do not take pictures inside the home unless we have permission from the seller do take pictures or record a video.
  • Take notes. I will give you a sheet with details of each home we see. Feel free to take notes of the things you like and do not like about each home on that sheet, a notebook or the notes app in your phone. We can discuss your notes later.

I always tell my clients that real estate is a contact sport…you have to go see a home. We can either do an in-person tour together or I can visit the home and video it for you. Sometimes, homes look or feel different online than they do in person. When it is time for your in-person showings, please remember these tips for seeing homes.

Do you think buying a home in Murrells Inlet or the surrounding area is right for you? Let’s schedule a time to talk about your unique situation. You can also look at my pages about Murrells Inlet or Garden City Beach to learn more about the area.