Visit Selected Properties
Buying Boston Area Real Estate
Electronic Access to properties is important to you as a home buyer. In addition to our self-editing VOW and comprehensive IDX computer and mobile device applications, you will get regular e-mails of all new listings and open house alerts from your Buyer’s Choice agent. These include multiple photos and details of current and sold properties. Our various services allow you to view property listings online in order to start narrowing (or expanding) your choices.
You and your agent should determine the best way and time for you to tour properties that interest you. It may be a property you found or one your agent informed you about. However, driving by potential properties and visiting open houses are two ways for you to evaluate and eliminate the housing inventory that’s just not for you.
Drive-Bys Most home buyers appreciate the advantage given to them when working with Buyer's Agents to do "drive-bys" which means what it says, driving by the home to see its location, neighborhood setting, and overall characteristics.
Unlike traditional real estate agents who feel the pressure to show and "sell" a particular home listing, Buyer's Agents want their clients to see as many homes from the outside as possible so that they don't waste time on homes that are not of interest to them.
During the drive-by preview process, there are many decisions that can be made. These decisions are personal in nature but very critical to the home buying process. You may come to realize that your criteria change because of aesthetic reasons or financial considerations. You may be willing to make some compromises to reach specific goals. This process will enable you to create your "short list" of homes that have enough appeal to warrant an appointment to see the inside.
Some of the things you should look for when you drive by properties include:
Location - Consider urban/suburban/rural lifestyles. Which lifestyle describes your personal preference? What lifestyles are in evidence? Are they compatible your lifestyle? Consider driving by the houses that are on the top of your priority list at different times of the day. Is the neighborhood residential only? What is the impact of nonresidential use? Are the traffic and environmental conditions satisfactory to you? What are the conditions of other houses in the neighborhood? If unsatisfactory conditions are observed, you may want to consider other areas as you have no control over the property of others. What is the proximity to schools, shops, work, transportation, etc.? What is the quality of the schools? Compile information regarding educational services that are important to you.
What utilities and municipal services are present at the property under consideration? What is the tax rate and assessment of the property under consideration? How do adjacent communities compare? Does this community appear to be a good value to you as far as taxes are concerned? How do property values compare to adjacent communities? What compromises must be made from your ideal location? Are the compromises satisfactory to you?
Site - What is the slope of the site? Grading should be such that water flows away from the building on all sides. Water that stands near the foundation wall usually results in a wet or damp basement and other chronic conditions. How is the house situated on the site? What is the proximity to adjacent units? Is there adequate space and privacy?
Are bushes and shrubs away from the building? Is the space under porches and decks vented? Are trees overhanging the building? How is the site landscaped? Are sidewalks present? What material are they made of? What is their condition?
Structure - Standing away from the house and looking at the lines of the building, check that the lines are straight/true or are the walls out of plumb and/or roof lines sagging? Is there evidence of good maintenance? What is the apparent condition of the roofing and siding? What type of foundation is present? What is its apparent condition? What is the apparent condition of the chimney? Is the siding well above the grade? Is the wood in contact with the ground? Are the lower edges of the basement windows above grade? Is there evidence of energy conservation? Are storm or combination windows and doors present at each door and window?
Driveway - How wide is the driveway? Will cars have to be moved to allow others to leave? Is there safe access from the driveway onto the street? What is the condition of the driveway? What is the slope of the driveway? Is there a garage or space for a garage?
Looking at the home with a critical eye during your drive-bys will save time as you eliminate some properties that do not meet your criteria because of negative conditions. However, if negative conditions are observed, these should not automatically be interpreted to indicate that a house should not be considered. Negative conditions must be evaluated and weighed against positive features. As a practical matter, when buying a pre-owned home you should be prepared to accept conditions that are less than ideal.
Open Houses are a good way for home buyers to view the inside of properties and broaden their exposure to current listings. You may want to visit with your agent, or your Buyer’s Agent can give you notices of open house dates and times so you can be free to attend on your own.
Always give your agent’s card to the agent conducting the open house. Dropping by an open house when you first start shopping for a home may seem harmless enough, even signing a "Guest Book" for the sellers, but many home buyers are not aware that they may cause a problem innocently visiting homes on a Sunday afternoon.
If you attend an open house and talk with the Listing Agent about the home, the agent may feel that he/she is responsible for attracting you to the home and will expect to collect a two-sided commission, commonly referred to as the "double dip" by real estate agents. This is referred to as "procuring cause" in the industry and it describes the relationship between the agent and the buyer(s). Your Buyer Agent typically captures the procuring cause compensation on your behalf. It gets complicated if you don’t make it clear that you are working with a Buyer’s Agent.
Your agent will e-mail you all new listings as they come on the market. Open House notices are included In those e-mails.
Private Showings for any property can be scheduled through your Buyer’s Choice Agent. This means all MLS property including “Entry Only” listings which some other companies refuse to allow their agents to show. We also set appointments for homes For Sale by Owner. Your agent can also help you with short sales and foreclosures. Most Buyer Agents will also preview properties for buyers who are out of the area or otherwise unable to attend a showing or inspection. Check with your Buyer's Agent to find out when and how this might apply.
Second Showings are typically done when you are seriously thinking of making an offer on the property. This gives the opportunity for you to make sure you are comfortable with this property before making an offer. In fast moving markets this may not be possible when multiple parties are interested in the home.
New Construction visits are also best done only with or through your Buyer’s Agent. Visiting on your own can often jeopardize the possible involvement of your agent in the negotiations. Talk to your agent about spec homes versus custom made. Do not write a check to sellers or builders. Deposits should go to an attorney’s or real estate broker’s escrow account.
Your home inspector will address many more issues, but these should be helpful on your initial or second viewing inside a home. We’ll address the home inspection later. Additionally, when you engage us to help you with your search, you will receive a Home Buying Guidebook that describes, in detail, how and why you should critically review interior features throughout a home, rather than simply rating aesthetics. next topic »
home > buyer education > buying process > visit properties