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Viewing Homes is an Adventure...Are You Ready?

By
Real Estate Agent with Beringer Realty

Welcome homeViewing Homes is an Adventure…Are You Ready?

When you’re just beginning your search for the perfect home to buy, you’ll likely be excited to get out there and start viewing homes that, at least on paper, fit your criteria. Indeed, the home search is fun, even an adventure at times.

So to help prepare you for this adventure, I’ve created a list of some situations, some more amusing than others, that we might run into in the course of looking at homes. The list, of course, is based on my own experiences. If you have something to add, feel free to do so in the comments below!

1. You might be asked to remove your shoes upon entering the house, especially if the carpets are new or were recently cleaned, and we will need to comply with this request out of respect for the seller. If you forget about this one and are wearing that old pair of socks with holes in them that day, no worries. (I might just be wearing hole-y socks, too.)

2. I will always knock before we enter, but occasionally there is someone home who for whatever reason doesn’t answer the door. As you can imagine, this can be awkward. Luckily it doesn't happen often, but if it does, just follow my lead...

3. It is possible that a seller will leave something out in plain sight that he or she…well…shouldn’t have. The appropriate reaction to this situation can range from disgust to complete bewilderment, and everything in between. Consider yourself warned. ;-)

4. If the home is vacant and has been on the market for a while, we very well may come across some spider webs. Feel free to let me lead the way through the house (I've walked through enough spider webs in vacant homes that I'm now "trained" to be on the lookout).

5. During this time of the year, some vacant homes may also have two feet plus of snow collected on the driveways and sidewalks if the sellers didn’t arrange for a shoveling service. We can either trudge through it or we can skip seeing the home. You have my support either way.

6. It’s okay if we look at lots and lots of homes and you still haven’t found “the one.” Finding the right home takes more time for some people than others. Just know that I’m in it for the long haul and will do everything I can to make the process as painless, and even as fun, as possible.

7. Sooner or later you will walk into a home and everything is perfect. Lights were left on to greet you and curtains are pulled back to let in gobs of sunlight. Everything is tidy, clean, and visually appealing. Not only that, but the space is just what you were looking for and feels just like…home. In this case, the only thing you need to be prepared to do is write an offer because I promise you that this one won’t be on the market for long!

Ready to get out there in search of your dream home? Let the adventure begin!

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Shannon Lewis is a Realtor® and broker at Beringer Realty located in Urbana, Illinois. She and her partner, Debbie Hensleigh, help home buyers and sellers in Urbana, Champaign, Savoy, and many other surrounding communities.

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To contact Shannon with a question, for real estate assistance, or just to say "hey!":

call 217-552-8059, or email Shannon@HomeplaceAdvisors.com

Comments (2)

Ellie Penaranda
239.776.5077 Downing-Frye Realty - Naples, FL
Naples Florida Real Estate - Waterfront & Beach Co

Shannon, that was an enjoyable read and a good introduction to the adventutre of home shopping.  You should use this in your buyer presentation package.  It's educational and fun - I hope it gets featured.

Jan 31, 2011 03:37 PM
Shannon Lewis
Beringer Realty - Champaign, IL
Realtor, Broker - Champaign-Urbana, IL

Thanks Ellie! I had fun putting it together and thinking about all the weird- and the wonderful- situations I've encountered while out with buyers :)

Feb 01, 2011 12:31 AM