By Barbara Young, REALTOR®

Coldwell Banker Legacy  |  505-898-2700  |  byoung.cblegacy.com

Viewing homes is one of the most exciting parts of buying a home. You're walking through the rooms, looking out the windows, and imagining what it might be like to live there.

That excitement is part of the experience, but it can also make it easy to overlook important details. A beautiful kitchen, a large living room, or an inviting backyard may capture your attention before you have considered how well the whole property fits your needs.

A showing lets you enjoy what you see while deciding whether the home deserves a closer look.

Prepare before the showing

Before visiting a property, review the information that is already available. Look at the listing price, photographs, room count, square footage, lot size, property age, estimated taxes, and any homeowners association fees.

You can ask me whether property disclosures or other documents are available and whether anything raises a question before the showing.

Bring the needs-and-wants list you developed before beginning your search. It will help you remember the features that matter most to you when an attractive home starts competing for your attention.

If you'd like to take photos or videos during a showing, ask me first. I always remind my buyers that a home may still be occupied, and the seller's belongings and privacy should be respected.

Look beyond the decorating

Sellers may clean, repaint, remove clutter, or use staging to make their homes look appealing. Staging can help you see how a room might be used, but it can also distract you from the room itself.

Try to look beyond the furniture, decorations, and paint colors. Ask yourself whether you like the home or whether you like how it has been presented.

Paint and decorating can usually be changed. The home's location, lot size, basic floor plan, and room placement are much harder to change.

Don't assume that furniture, televisions, freestanding appliances, outdoor equipment, or decorative items will remain with the property.

If something is important to you, ask about it. The purchase agreement should clearly identify what will remain with the home.

Think about how the home will function

It's easy to picture special occasions when viewing a home. It's just as important to imagine an ordinary day.

Where will you enter? Is there room for coats, shoes, bags, or groceries? Is the kitchen convenient? Are the bedrooms and bathrooms located where you need them?

Consider the features that affect your daily life:

- Bedroom sizes and locations

- Number and placement of bathrooms

- Closet and storage space

- Kitchen workspace

- Laundry location

- Stairs and accessibility

- Parking

- Space for children, pets, guests, or working from home

- Privacy and natural light

A large home isn't necessarily a better fit, and a smaller home isn't necessarily too small. The arrangement of the space can be just as important as the total square footage.

Return to the priorities you established before the search. Does the home meet the needs you identified, or are you being distracted by a feature that would simply be nice to have?

Notice the general condition

You're not expected to examine a home like an inspector during a showing. You can, however, pay attention to its general condition and make a note of anything you want to ask about.

You may notice water stains, unusual odors, cracks, doors that don't close properly, damaged siding, standing water, or worn roofing materials. These don't tell you the cause or the cost to fix them, but they give you a reason to ask questions and get more information.

A professional home inspection usually comes later, after your offer has been accepted, depending on the terms of the purchase agreement. The inspector can take a closer look at the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical system, heating and cooling, and more. No inspection can find every issue, but it can give you valuable information about the home's condition. We'll talk about inspections, repair requests, and your options in more detail later in this series.

For now, don't spend the entire showing searching for problems. The purpose of the visit is to decide whether the home works for you and whether you're interested enough to take the next step.

Look outside the home

Don't spend all of your showing time inside.

Look at the yard, driveway, parking, fencing, exterior condition, and nearby properties. Notice traffic, noise, and how the property connects to the street.

Consider your route to work, shopping, medical care, schools, recreation, and other places important to you.

Visit the area at different times if possible. A street may feel different during a weekday commute, in the evening, or on the weekend.

I can help you locate available information, but you should investigate the community factors that matter to you through reliable sources.

Buying in New Mexico? A few things to notice

Our climate and building styles bring a few things you won't find on every checklist. During a showing, keep an eye out for these and ask me about them:

- Stucco: Small hairline cracks are common. Cracks that are wide, growing, or run in a stair-step pattern are worth a closer look.

- Flat roofs: Many homes here have flat or low-slope roofs that drain through canales. Ask how old the roof is and when it was last recoated, and look for water stains on the ceilings below.

- Cooling: Find out whether the home has an evaporative (swamp) cooler, refrigerated air, or both, and how old the system is. They work differently and need different upkeep.

- Sun and shade: Notice which way the windows face. West-facing rooms can get very warm on summer afternoons.

- Yard and water: Landscaping affects your water bill. A xeriscaped yard usually needs far less water than a lawn.

- Well and septic: If you're looking in the East Mountains or other rural areas, ask whether the home uses a private well or septic system. These usually need their own evaluations.

- Drainage: Arroyos and low spots can carry a lot of water during monsoon storms. Ask whether the property is in a flood zone.

Your home inspector can look at these more closely once your offer is accepted.

Take notes before the homes blend together

If you view several homes, the details may begin to run together. The kitchen you liked in one home may become confused with the backyard you liked in another.

After each showing, take a few minutes to answer these questions:

- What did I like?

- What concerned me?

- Does the home meet my essential needs?

- What would I want or need to change?

- What information is still missing?

- Would I want to see the home again?

You can also rate each home based on your priorities. The purpose isn't to choose by score alone, but to remember what you saw after the excitement has passed.

Want a printable version? My free Albuquerque First-Time Buyer Checklist walks you through every step from setting a budget to getting the keys, with space to note your must-haves and questions for your next showing. Email me at 505realestatecafe@gmail.com with "Checklist" in the subject line, and I'll send you a fillable copy.

Give yourself room to think

Sometimes buyers walk into a home and immediately feel that it's the one. That feeling can be exciting, but it shouldn't be the only reason to make an offer.

Ask whether the home fits your budget, meets your important needs, and works for daily life. Identify the questions that still need answers.

You may decide the home isn't right, request a second showing or more information, or be ready to talk with me about making an offer. We'll take the time needed to answer your questions and help you feel comfortable with your decision.

A showing doesn't have to answer every question. It helps you decide whether the property deserves the next step.

What feature would be easiest for you to fall in love with during a showing, and what practical question would you need to remember to ask?

In Part Three, we'll talk about comparing the homes you have viewed and deciding whether you are ready to make an offer.

Thinking about buying your first home in the Albuquerque area? I'd be glad to help you get started.

A great place to start is my free Albuquerque First-Time Buyer Checklist. Just email me at 505realestatecafe@gmail.com with "Checklist" in the subject line. Or call me at 505-410-7074 to schedule a first-time buyer consultation.

Barbara Young, REALTOR®

Coldwell Banker Legacy  |  Office 505-898-2700  |  Cell 505-410-7074  |  byoung.cblegacy.com

This article offers general educational information. Inspection rights, purchase agreements, transaction practices, and professional responsibilities vary by location and individual circumstances. Speak with qualified professionals about your particular situation.