The Importance of "Feeling Out" A House

Hi everyone!  Today's post is about the importance of really getting a feel for a house.  In this techie era, it's easy to look at homes online and hate one or get your heart set on one without ever seeing it in person.  However, people sometimes go into a home thinking that they know everything about it and realize the home is very different in person.  For example, perhaps the photographer used a wide-angle lens and the living room is actually quite cramped.  Or, there's not a lot of light and it feels dark and creepy.  Or, perhaps you thought the ceilings would feel too low but they're actually soaring and gorgeous.  Maybe there are electrical cables in the backyard that are distracting, or the street is overly packed and gives off a feeling of little privacy.  There is a lot that pictures don't show, and it's important to get a feel for a house before making an offer.

How can you properly test whether a home "feels" right?  

1.  GO SEE IT!  :)  It's best if you can go and see numerous homes in person and then compare and contrast them.  This will let everyone involved form a solid opinion of the house and should leave you feeling as though you've had most of your questions answered.

2.  If you are unable to go in person (for example, if you live out of town), see if you can have a friend in the area visit homes for you and give you honest feedback.

3.  If you can't physically see the homes and you don't have a friend that can, hire a Realtor you trust and ask them to preview homes for you.  Then, request an honest assessment of how each home feels (did the kitchen feel spacious, did it feel dark, did the backyard seem well-maintained, did the street feel safe) etc.  We often do FaceTime or pre-recorded "walkthroughs" that allow buyers to "see" a home without being there in person.  

There is much more to a house beyond what pictures can show, and it's key that you or someone else visits numerous homes to get a feeling for each one.  That's it for today!