It’s really easy for all the completely remodeled homes with crown molding, new hardwood floors and a decked out kitchen to draw us in, and maybe even take a look at in-person.
Is this the best value though?
Pictures are worth a thousand words, but they can also be a little deceiving. Their job is to attract as many eyes as possible and get the seller as much money as possible. As a buyer, this means we need to slow down and truly do our research.
With so much more being done from home nowadays, buyers have been doing even more browsing online the past few months.
Be careful – the new carpet in the rear addition could be hiding a cracked slab. Those leaky 80 year old pipes certainly can’t be seen on pictures, and that little ’tilt’ in the garage wall may go unnoticed using the right camera angles.
Don’t assume things or rely on guess work. Use the available online information as a tool to sift through homes you know won’t work for you, and then use your Realtor to discover more about those few homes you think might be a good fit.
An agent who knows the area and works the area consistently might help you avoid wasting time visiting a listing with hidden problems.
A few things you can check in with your Realtor about immediately…
– Is it a safe neighborhood?
– What’s the history of the home (has it been sold numerous time in quick succession?)
– Is it within walking distance to anything?
– What’s the school district like?
– Is it good value?
– Is it likely to sell quickly?
You probably won’t find the perfect home while skimming through properties on your iPhone (or Android!), but consider it a good way to filter through properties you know won’t work for you. Then let your agent know it’s time to get to work…
Remember – a lot can be done online. But use your local expert, walk the property, feel it out and do everything you need to do to feel like this is a good purchase for YOU.