Buying a Home

What should I look for during a home showing?

By Steve Lockhart

The short answer

A showing is where you separate the way a home looks from the way it actually performs. Look beyond the decor and furniture, because those are staging, not the house.

Full answer

A showing is where you separate the way a home looks from the way it actually performs. Look beyond the decor and furniture, because those are staging, not the house. Notice the age and condition of the roof, the HVAC, the water heater, and the windows, systems that get expensive fast. Check for signs of water damage, uneven floors, or cracks that hint at foundation movement. Look at the plumbing and electrical access, and ask how old the fixtures are. Cast an eye at the lot, the drainage, and which way the sun hits the rooms. Take photos and notes so you can compare homes soberly later. And bring your real-life lens with you: does the layout fit how your family actually lives, and is the commute and neighborhood going to work day to day? The inspection later confirms details, but a sharp walkthrough tells you which homes deserve that next step.

Go a little deeper

Frequently asked

Questions buyers often follow up on

How many homes should I see before I write an offer?

There is no magic number. Some buyers know by the second home; others want a dozen comparables under their belt. What matters is that you see enough that the market makes sense to you, and that you compare each home on the same points: condition, layout, lot, parking, commute, and neighborhood. I track the comparisons so the houses blend less and the facts come through.

Should I visit a home a second time before offering?

It is often a smart move. A home can read differently at a different time of day or on a weekend, when traffic, noise, light, and neighborhood activity change. In an active market we pair that second visit with the offer decision so the home does not slip away while you think; in a slower market, take the time.

What should I bring to a showing?

Bring your phone for photos and notes, a list of questions, and an eye for the systems: roof, HVAC and water heater age, the electrical panel, and the windows. Ask about the age of major systems and any known issues on the spot. And write notes while standing in the room, because homes blur together fast when you see three in a row.

The Lockhart Method

Your Home | My Strategy | Proven Results

My strategy: tour every home twice in your mind, once for the house and once for the life in it. Keep a photo and a note for each address and compare them at home, never by the last kitchen you saw.

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