Planning ahead: How many times you see the home before you settle

       Ever wonder how many times you see a house before you buy it? You’ll want to be prepared for each opportunity. Today we’re breaking down each showing appointment type and what you can do from the very first appointment to the last time you’ll see the home before it’s yours.  

       It shouldn’t surprise you that the initial appointment is called the first showing. This is the first time you are seeing the home and is often grouped in with other showing appointments. Keep in mind that every appointment has a start and an end, and although you may fall in love with the house and want to move in immediately, you cannot hang out there for a long period of time. You may have other appointments to get to, or the home is currently occupied and the residents need to gain access back to their homes after your appointment. The first showing is not your opportunity to take a nap on the sofa or have a lengthy video call with a family member to make sure you are doing the right thing. If you want to remember something at the home, make sure you bring a notebook or take notes on your phone. Having a cell phone on your person also allows you to take pictures or videos of items you don’t want to forget (a large closet you didn’t know was there or a possible water stain). Don’t waste your time taking pictures of every room and detail; all the pictures are already online in the listing for you to access. We’re going to take a moment to also remind you to be respectful of the space you are in; treat the home like you would want someone to treat yours. Some homes require masks or for you to wear shoe covers while walking around. Other homes have security and recording devices, so be cautious about vocalizing your judgements as it is not guaranteed to be confidential. 

       The next time you get to see the home is during the inspection. Bring your tape measure! This will be the longest period of time you spend in the home while under contract, and is a perfect opportunity to map out the space and envision your life there. You’ll also be learning about the home’s systems and how to maintain them, so make sure to ask the inspector all of the questions you have. They also issue a lengthy inspection report outlining all necessary repairs (if any). If the inspector is running the utilities, checking the roof, or busier at the moment, break out the tape measure and calculate space for beds, couches, kitchen islands, desks, dressers, and any large furniture items. This appointment can take up to 2 hours, giving you plenty of time to learn about the space. If you want to perform upgrades on the home at the start of move-in, you can also schedule contractors to assess the home during the inspection or the final walkthrough. Make it convenient for the seller and have all your contractors and inspectors come at the same day and time.
 
       Lastly, is the final walkthrough. The final walkthrough is the last time you will be in the home before it’s yours. This takes only 15 minutes and typically occurs during the hour before settlement. This appointment is necessary because both you and your realtor are checking the home to make sure no unexpected damages have occurred. This is not the opportunity to measure items or debate where the dog bowl is going. You’re simply checking to make sure everything is in place similarly to when you saw the home during the first showing and inspection. 
 
       Knowing your options can better prepare you for each appointment so you can maximize your time in the home. We hope to have given you a better understanding of each showing appointment and what you are able to do during them. 

Stephanie Slapin

May 19, 2022