When studying for a test in school, you probably don’t have time memorize every single word of something you are reading. It is essential to be able to scan something and find the main points of what might be on a test. Similarly, looking through a home listing, it is essential to be able to see the most important things and glean the information you need the most. What are the key takeaways you should pull from a home listing?

Photos

Photos tell a story of the home. A good listing will give you a visual tour of the house from the outside and guide you through the interior of the home, the way you would walk through it. Of course, they will do their best to make the home look good with the best possible angles. As you are looking through the visual tour of the home, make a note of rooms or parts of the house they aren’t showing. Are they showing very few pictures of bathrooms or unfinished basements? Remember those things and remember to look at them when you tour the home. When looking at the kitchen, look at the number of cabinets they have and the space available in the kitchen. What about the bathroom? Does it have one or two sinks?

Wording

As space is limited in the description of the house, the words used at the beginning will give you a good idea of what the owner felt were the most significant features of the home. There will also be words that will provide you with clues on what needs work. Words like “potential,” “fixer-upper” “cozy” are ways of trying to hide some downsides. Take some clues from the words listed in the descriptions, to see if they are things you can overlook.

Asking Price

Take a look at the price on the listing, especially as it compares to other homes in the area. Also, check out the price per square foot. In a grocery store, a more prominent pack might seem like a better value, but when you look at the price per ounce, the smaller one might be a better value. The same might apply when you are looking at price per square foot. It is also a good idea to look at homes in the areas with comparable rooms and in the same area. If you see, one that is significantly different, make sure to look into other areas that may be affecting the price.

Days on the Website

Look at how long a listing is on the MLS. The longer a home is listed, the better chance you have of making a deal when it comes to prices and other amenities. Your interest may make them more willing to deal. You will want to compare how long a home is listed compared to other homes sold in the area. It will give you an idea of how closely the price is to market value.

Additional costs

Additional costs can include what the property taxes are, insurance and if there is a monthly HOA involved. You might want to inquire about the benefits of the HOA as well.

Location

A listing can help you understand where the home is in comparison to work, grocery stores, and freeways.  

When looking at a listing make sure you are familiar with all the essential points, so you will be able to spend time with only the best homes that fit your needs.

https://www.homes.com/blog/2013/07/6-key-takeaways-from-a-home-listing/