By Holly Schwartz
As a house hunter, you fantasize about the feeling – that moment when you walk in and know that a home is “the one.” Ah yes, the first time you look at a house, it’s easy to be overcome with emotion and excitement. But since it’s such an important decision, it’s worth taking a look at some things more closely the second time. It can be surprising what you might miss on the first go around. Here’s a look at five frequently overlooked issues.
Cell Phone Coverage
More people have cell phones rather than land lines now so having cell coverage is a big deal. Depending on your provider, cell service can be spotty or even nonexistent in different areas. Chances are you were so enthralled the first time you saw the home that you didn’t think to check your cell for bars. Do yourself a favor and check on this or you might suffer the irony of becoming a prisoner in a home without bars.
Lighting
The scene is set. During showings, all the lights are on and the curtains are drawn. Perfection! But when you really live in the home, the lighting needs to compliment your lifestyle. Some people crave natural light, others like caves. The same goes for yards. Morning light verses afternoon light can affect the way you will enjoy the space. So check out the home at different times of day and pay attention to the lighting.
Systems
A lot of times it’s easy to gloss over the unseen so things like furnaces, plumbing and electrical can be forgotten, after all, out of sight, out of mind. However these are major systems that you need to know about. Of course during a home inspection the inspector will test these items, but it’s not a bad idea to find out more in advance to help with your negotiation.
Furniture Size, Placement
If you visit a home that has been professionally staged, it’s likely you will be blown away by the arrangement and fail to think about your own stuff. Or, you could visit a home that is lived in and be distracted by how someone else’s stuff works in the space. Another scenario is you could tour a vacant home and misjudge the size because rooms can seem bigger without furniture. So how will you know if your stuff will work and be realistic for your lifestyle? It pays to go back for a second look and do some measuring and space planning.
Where Will You Walk…?
Everyday activities like walking your dog, your baby, or letting your children ride bikes; these are practical considerations for many buyers. It’s easy to forget about them when you are falling in love with a home, but it will save you heartbreak to remember giving them further review.
Holly Schwartz is a realtor with Villa Real Estate who lives in Eastside Costa Mesa. She can be reached at HSchwartz@VillaRealEstate.com.
