Let’s be honest: There are parts of the homebuying process that are stressful, maddening, and simply no fun. Looking at homes, however, should be a joyful experience. You’ll have the opportunity to visualize yourself in a new environment. Where will your Irish grandmother’s ornate hutch go? Which rooms will get morning sun? Is the yard large enough to accommodate Zeus, your playful Great Dane?
As a realtor, this is when I get to know you as a buyer. Yes, it’s important for me to know if you despise LVP (luxury vinyl plank) flooring and only want real hardwood. No, to be honest, I’m not a fan of electric stovetops, either. Yes, I think the person who invented popcorn ceilings should serve a lengthy prison term. This is where we get to know each other—as people! After we’ve seen a few properties and it becomes clear that you’re very attuned to road noise (or air noise—I’m looking at you, RDU), that will help streamline your search. There may be times when I preview a property on your behalf. If there are clearly verboten things about a house, I’m certainly not going to drag you out for a look.
My general rule of thumb is to see no more than eight homes in a day. Beyond that, I find people’s eyes start to glaze over and everything blends together. Granted, if someone is in town for just one day, that rule goes out the window—it’s all hands on deck. Typically, I’ll bring MLS printouts of every home we’ll see. I recommend making notes on these sheets. “Weird pineapple painting in living room” or “Fish tank in first floor office” will jog your memory when you get back to your hotel.
If you want something tangible to review, there’s no law against taking photos or video of a house you’re especially keen on. And if you’re wondering whether the primary bedroom will accommodate your California king, by all means, bring your tape measure! Also on the topic of audio visuals, do keep in mind that many homes have video surveillance. If you have a headache, please don’t go rummaging through the medicine cabinet looking for painkillers. That’s called larceny. Moreover, it’s a surefire way to ensure your offer is roundly rejected.
House hunting here also entails the investigation of something a little grittier than you’re probably used to: the crawl space. In North Carolina, the vast majority of homes have an unfinished area between the floor and the ground, typically about 3 feet high. Here you’ll see plumbing, venting, structural pillars and occasionally a hot water heater. Things to pay close attention to: the space should have a vapor barrier (a thick plastic tarp that covers the bare earth), it should be properly vented, and largely free of clutter. The big concern in crawl spaces is moisture—the insidious enemy of all structures. If the area feels damp, if you see insulation falling from the ceiling, or prevalent white residue along the base of the walls (efflorescence), it’s likely the space has a higher than acceptable moisture reading. Typically, this is not an unsolvable problem. French drains and sump pumps can alleviate moisture intrusion, and many issues can be solved with better gutter systems and drainage. There are times, however, when crawl space remediation is complex, and costs can easily run into the thousands of dollars. So, poking around underneath a house with your iPhone flashlight might not have been on your bingo card, but trust me: it’s a critical stop on any house-hunting tour.