Learn 7 Things While Visiting a Home for Sale

Learn these seven important facts about each home you visit during the home buying process. Bring a notebook to record your findings.

You have determined that you can afford a new home, narrowed down a style of home and found the perfect community. Now it is time to visit homes for sale. For the homes that make your short list, be sure to learn the following about each:

Find the Fact Sheet The fact sheet is typically a one page sheet or brochure listing the facts about the home. A few of the items you will find on the sheet include:

• Color photograph of the home
• Age of the house
• Lot size- Age of the roof
• Age of the appliances and other basic systems
• Total square footage
• Sizes of individual rooms
• School district

Ideally, the fact sheet should be left out for you to grab when you visit the home (on a table or a counter). In addition to providing important information about the home, it will be extremely helpful later as you try to remember the details about the many homes you may have visited. If there isn't a fact sheet available during your visit, have your agent obtain one for you.
Number of Showings and Length of Time on the Market
Learn how many times the home has been shown and for how long it has been for sale. If the number of showings seems high or it has been on the market for a long time, find out why. Perhaps there is a problem with the home that you don't know about yet. Is there a feature flaw that is obvious to everybody else but you are overlooking?
Utility BillsIs there a feature about the home that makes you pause in terms of heating and cooling? Are you thinking "wow, this room must be a fortune to heat" or "these windows are drafty." Always request copies of the home's heating, electric, garbage, and water bills. These days it is quite easy for the homeowner to download a year's worth of utility bills - obtaining this information shouldn't be a problem. 
Recent Improvements and Repairs Needed
Have recent improvements been made to the home? This information may help lesson anxiety about purchasing an older home. Also, a home that has been updated regularly can indicate that the previous owners took good care of the home. At this time, ask about the most-needed repairs for the house - these may or may not be obvious.
Learn About the Neighbors
While you may not get an objective answer to the question: "how are the neighbors?" you can learn if there are any outstanding issues with regards to noise, property lines, trees, fences, parking etc. 
Appliances and More
Ask what appliances and other items are included in the sale of the home. Typically a stove, stove top, oven and a built-in dishwasher stay with the home. Make note of their condition and how soon you might need to replace them.
Is the Home Being Staged?
Staging is a process when a home for sale is made to look appealing to potential buyers. The owner's personal items, clutter and extra furniture are removed. The remaining furniture is arranged in a layout desirable to buyers. 
Why is this important? Remember, the house will look as close to perfect as it can be. However, will your furniture fit in this space? Are the rooms actually roomy or is furniture missing or are the furniture pieces exceptionally small? Bring a tape measure and the dimensions of your existing rooms and furniture.
Disclosure Report and Home Inspection
As you conclude your first visit to a home, you will undoubtedly have unanswered questions. Fear not. For those homes about which you are serious enough to make an offer, you will receive a seller's disclosure report and have a home inspection done which will reveal additional issues.

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