Marianne Leopold
                   Realtor®, Broker Associate, CRS
                   661 607 1818
                   661 251 0997
                        email: marianne_leopold@hotmail.com
                   website: MarianneLeopold.com
                        License: 01410038

House Hunting Tips
What to Look For When Buying a House

How to Look at a House                                                                
by Jeff Shore
President, The Shore Company

If you're like most people out shopping for a new home, you'll look at between five and twenty-five homes before you make a decision. Some you'll like and some you won't. You would think you'd be pretty good at sizing up a plan and figuring out what to look for. Given the time and effort put into the process why shouldn't you be an expert at new home shopping? The reality is that after a prolonged house-hunting journey you are most likely left not with a clear head, but with a serious migraine.

Just why is the process of sizing up a new home so confusing? Think of all the obstacles you face in trying to get a good feel for what you are looking at:

• Have you ever noticed that after you've seen five or ten homes they all start to look alike? It becomes difficult at times to distinguish one from another as you think back on your house-hunting day.

• Shopping for a new home is an emotional journey and sometimes the emotions make it difficult to think clearly. It's quite okay if you've experienced this yourself. (In fact, it's quite normal.)

• At times it is difficult to determine whether the model home you are looking at is a true representation of the home you might purchase.

• Looking at homes is both mentally and physically tiring. So much to think about, so many stairs to climb...

• Finally, the homebuying decision is so big and so important that the gravity of the decision makes the investigation process tougher still.

Allow me to assist you in planning a strategy for viewing that new home in a more strategic and less brain-damaging manner. Think of this in terms of a rating exercise. Not every aspect of a home will garner an A+ and you might need to sacrifice one less important area in order to accomplish your overall objectives, but it helps to know how to dish out a grade. As you go through a home, jot down a few things on the brochure or price list that make the home memorable. This will help you as you review your tour later in the day.

We¹ll go step-by-step; it's easier that way.

1. Stop on the Sidewalk
In survey after survey we see that curb appeal ranks right up there amongst the most important factors in purchasing a home. Stopping at the curb to get the broad view of the front of the house is an important first step in determining how the house "feels" to you.

2. Stand on the sidewalk (or as far back as necessary) and look at the home in all its glory.
Notice the architectural styling, the use of stone or brick, the placement of windows, the pronouncement of the front door, the amount of architectural detail, and the appeal of the roof. There is no specific formula for what is right or wrong, good or bad-only what is pleasant or unpleasant in your most valuable opinion. We're not trying to win a spot on the cover of Architectural Digest here-we're simply ascertaining whether the look of the home is enticing, inviting, and attractive.

3. Pause on the Porch
How appealing is the front door? Think about the guests that will come over for dinner. Picture them standing on the porch and waiting for you to open the door. Is it comfortable? Is it dramatic? Is it inviting? People will make significant assessments about the home based on what they see before they enter.

4. Examine the Entry
As you step through the front door and into the entry pause a moment and experience the initial impression of the interior. Look at the whole of the room before you begin to look at the component parts. Ignore the color of the draperies and the fabric on the pillows; they aren't a part of the home. Look instead at the height of the ceiling, the placement of windows, the natural lighting. Consider whether the home looks inviting enough to continue in the exploration. Try to identify the key feature that grabs your attention right from the beginning. Again, ask yourself the critically important question, "How does this home feel to me?"

5. Look at the Living Spaces
The living/dining room area is a "statement" area-it speaks of your tastes, style, and elegance. Consider the arrangement of the formal living and dining rooms (if applicable). Will the room(s) accommodate and complement your furnishings? Are they "user-friendly"? Picture having friends over and entertaining in these spaces. Imagine what the room will look like during the holidays.

6. Feast on the Family Area
In this most practical of rooms the most important consideration is functionality. Take some time to mentally move-in and consider what is important to you in the way the room lives. Where does the furniture go? Is the room private if you want private, or open if you want open? Is the family room connected to the kitchen, and does this matter to you? Is the cable television jack in a good spot? Is the room well-lit? How visible is the room from the front of the house, and does it have to be clean when someone comes to the door?

7. Consider the Kitchen
The issues here seem obvious. Are there enough cabinets? Is there plenty of countertop space? Is the kitchen well lit? But consider some of these less-obvious factors: Can I move around freely even when someone else is in the kitchen with me? Are the major elements of the kitchen (refrigerator, oven, and sink) in close proximity to one another? Is there an eating area in the kitchen? Is there adequate space for knickknacks and decorator items? Can I see the television in the family room (if that¹s important to you)?

As you look at the home take a lot of time in the kitchen. This makes sense given the amount of time you spend in the kitchen on a daily basis. The kitchen doesn¹t need to be well designed for preparing a gourmet meal for twenty; such occasions are rare. But it does need to be well designed for living your life each and every day.

8. Mull Over the Master
As another room that commands a great deal of your living time, the master has enjoyed a tremendous amount of architectural attention over the past twenty years. This is now a statement room rather than merely a functional necessity.

Does the room feel comfortable, warm and inviting? Is there an adequate amount of natural light? Are the ceilings vaulted or raised, and do you care? Place your furniture and consider whether the room will be crowded when you move in. Where will your artwork be placed? Is the master bathroom elegant? Functional? Bright? All of the above? What are the important features in a bathroom that you need to have?

9. Gaze at the Garage
The oft-overlooked garage plays a vital role in assessing the overall value of the home. Step in and take a good look. If the model garage is locked, ask the salesperson to open it for you or direct you to a similar garage. This is too important to overlook.

Some elements to consider: First of all, size matters. You need to be able to get two cars in a two-car garage and still have some space for storage. If you have an Expedition and a Lincoln Town Car this might be quite a trick, but take the measurements and see how you do. Consider the use of space and the lighting needs. Is a garage door opener included or will this be an extra cost? Do you need a workbench, and, if so, where will you place it? Is there a side door leading to the yard?

10. Behold the Backyard
The model home you are looking at will most likely show you a fully landscaped rear yard. Chances are, however, that the new home you buy will not include rear yard landscaping. This makes sense when you think about it. The price of that home would be higher to reflect the cost of the landscaping, and you would have no say as to how you wanted this area designed. Use the model to get a general picture of the use of space.

Determine whether there is an adequate amount of space to accomplish your goals. You might consider asking the sales representative if the yard size of the model home is representative of the size of the yards throughout the community.

Now Form Your Opinion
So what did you think? Having toured the home objectively and strategically you can take the sum of the observations and marry them with how the house "made you feel." And I wouldn't discount the emotional appeal of a home simply because it is difficult to quantify. This is a process of blending the emotional with the factual in order to make a decision that is both pleasing and logical.

Happy hunting!

About The Author
Jeff Shore is the president of The Shore Company, a firm which specializes in sales strategy and training for the homebuilding industry.