July 28, 2022 | Sexton Real Estate Group
There are a lot of things to consider when you’re buying a new home. One of the most important is whether or not you need to tour the house before making an offer. Some people think that it’s necessary, while others believe that it’s just a waste of time. In this article, we will discuss both sides of the argument and help you make the decision that’s best for you!
Reasons Why You Should Go on the Tour
If you’re on the fence about whether or not to take a tour of a house before making an offer, here are a few things to consider:
Allows you to get a feel for the property in person.
You can get a better sense of how a house will genuinely fit in with your lifestyle and personal preferences by taking a tour of the property. It can assist you in locating all the small details in the property that the images could have missed, as well as those areas of the house that you’ll likely want to have renovated or removed. Before making an offer, take a tour of the property to get a better understanding of the amount of work that will be required to transform it into your ideal home.
- Get a realistic view of the property before buying
- Make an informed decision about whether or not to buy
- Avoid costly mistakes by getting a feel for the property in person
- Tour the property at your convenience
It allows you to assess the condition of the property.
One of the most obvious benefits of doing a home tour is the ability to inquire about aspects of a home that might not be mentioned in its web profile. Other signs of previous damage are simple to overlook if you can’t see them in person, and signs of leaks or water damage might not be highlighted in images. You can discover if repairs have been completed or if there are any further surprises for you after the purchase by recognizing them during a tour.
- Get a complete view of the property before making an offer
- Make sure all repairs have been completed
- See if any further surprises are waiting for you after your purchase
- Avoid costly mistakes
Touring a house gives you the chance to meet with the seller and ask any questions that you may have about the property. This can be valuable in getting more information about the home before making a decision.
- Get to know the seller
- Ask any questions you have about the home
- Get an idea of what kind of repairs may be needed
- Tour at your own pace
So, if you’re undecided about whether or not to tour a house before making an offer, consider these things. It may just help you make up your mind!
A virtual and proxy tour
When you are unable to attend the tour in person, you have a few options. The virtual tour, which can be prerecorded or live depending on who is listing the home, is a choice that is becoming more and more popular. When available, live virtual tours are a much better alternative because they allow you to interact with the realtor (and occasionally even the sellers) while they show you around the house and address any queries you may have in real-time.
- See the property without leaving your home
- Save time and gas money by not having to drive to viewings
- Available for properties all over the world
- Can be prerecorded or live
A proxy tour is an additional choice that can be offered to you. In this scenario, someone you know (or at the very least, someone acting on your behalf) conducts an in-person tour and queries you have prepared in advance. To make sure you are informed of any potential issues or interesting locations, they might also capture images or videos for you. A proxy tour is nevertheless preferable to having no tour at all, even though it is less advantageous than a virtual tour in which you actively participate.
- Provides an overview of the property
- Closely resembles an in-person tour
- Can be tailored to your specific needs
- Captures images and videos for you
Planning After the Tour
If you’ve decided that you would like to move forward with making an offer on the home, it’s time to start getting your ducks in a row. You’ll want to be sure to have a loan lined up so that you know exactly how much money you’ll need for the down payment and closing costs. If you’re working with a real estate agent, they can help guide you through this process and answer any questions that you may have.
It’s also important to start thinking about what kind of repairs or renovations the house might need once you move in. This can help you determine if the price is worth it or if there are other homes on the market that might be a better fit for your needs. If you’re not sure where to start, talking to a contractor or home inspector can give you a better idea of what kind of work needs to be done and how much it might cost.
Are You Looking to Invest in Real Estate in Northern California?
The top real estate agency in Northern California, Sexton Group Real Estate | Property Management in Berkeley, California is a boutique real estate company specializing in residential sales for properties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. To better serve our clients we have three local offices, one in the heart of picturesque Berkeley, one near downtown Oakland and the third in the heart of historic Lafayette, California. The Sexton Group encompasses the essence of Berkeley’s charm, Oakland’s history and Lafayette’s family-oriented vibe all with a relaxed, down-to-earth nature. We are an amazing group of real estate agents whose wealth of experience spans more than 25 years in the industry. Looking to buy a home in Contra Costa or Alameda County? Contact us today for your free consultation!
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