Quick Tips That Could Save You Thousands (Cont.)

You can use this list as a scorecard to rate each property you see. The one with the biggest score wins! This helps avoid confusion and keeps things in perspective when you’re comparing dozens of homes.

When house hunting, keep in mind the difference between skin and bones. The bones are things that cannot be changed such as the location, view, size of lot, noise in the area, school district, and floor plan. The skin represents easily changed surface finishes like carpet, wallpaper, color, and window coverings. Buy the house with good bones, because the skin can always be changed to match your tastes. I always recommend that you imagine each house as if it were vacant. Consider each house on its underlying merits, not the seller’s decorating skills.

4. Don’t Be Pushed Into Any House.

Your agent should show you everything available that meets your requirements. Don’t make a decision on a house until you feel that you’ve seen enough to pick the best one. Review the Multiple Listing printout with your agent to make sure that you are getting a COMPLETE list.

In the late 1980s, homes were selling quickly, usually a few days after listing. In that kind of market, agents advised their clients to make an offer ON THE SPOT if they liked the house. That was good advice at the time. Today there isn’t always this urgency, unless a home is drastically under-priced, and you’ll know if it is.