Performance Realty

Packing your home shopping toolkit

Ideally, the first property you see when shopping for a new home

will be the one you fall in love with and buy. But let’s face it. You’ll

probably end up seeing several homes before reaching the

decision to make an offer on one.

When you’re viewing homes, you want to make sure that the

experience is enjoyable (rather than stressful) and that you get all

the information you need to make the right decision. To help you

do that, here are a list of items you should consider taking with you:

• A notepad. Have something with you so you can take notes

– a pad of paper, laptop computer, iPad, even a voice recorder.

• Flashlight. Just in case there is an area in a home that is

not well lit, such as the furnace room.

• Maps. Map out your route in advance. This will reduce a

lot of potential stress.

• Water and snacks. If you’re viewing more than two properties,

take some healthy refreshments with you, rather than relying on

fast food restaurants. These will help keep your energy level up.

(This is especially important if you’re taking kids with you.)

• A plan. Don’t just view properties randomly. Work out an itinerary

in advance. This will help you make the most of your time.


Giving a bad first impression a second chance

You view a property on the market and you’re appalled by what

you see. The garage is packed to the roof with boxes, bikes and other

items. The basement is dark and gloomy. And if that isn’t enough to

dissuade you from buying, the carpeting in the family room is old,

stained and musty. Not a pretty picture. Yet, if you can look past all

that, the property might just well be a diamond in the rough. A

garage can be cleaned out, carpets replaced. In fact, the home could

well be just a few improvements away from being a gem.

So when shopping for a new home, give any bad first impressions you

have a second chance. A property you may not have liked

initially could end up being your dream home.

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