What to keep an eye on for at an open house in Encinitas

Planning to buy a home in Encinitas should have the proper research done and everything has to be well-thought out before making your final offer. The Realtor should have a list of your questions so you could learn everything you need to know, and make an informed decision.

Before you go to your open house in Encinitas, you should bring these materials with you according to Realtor.com:

  • Tape Measure
  • Smartphone/Camera
  • Notebook
  • Folder to organize spec sheets and flyers

During the Open House

The neighborhood needs to be inspected first. Go around and see if the neighborhood is somewhere you could handle living in. Then, check the exterior of the homes on the block, as well as the open house in Encinitas you’re attending. Take notes on maintenance issues like missing roof shingles or tiles, peeling paint and other situations.

Once you enter the home, walk in each and every room keeping a keen eye to damage and/or construction flaws like these listed below:

  • Condition of the roof
  • A musty smell
  • Cracks in the ceiling or wall
  • Mold
  • Stains especially in the kitchen, bathrooms and basement (on the floor, ceiling or walls)
  • Uneven floors

If the window displays something that can’t easily be fixed – maybe make a deal if you’re interested in buying the home in Encinitas for the current owner to pay for this. Examine all storage areas like cabinets, drawers and closets just to indicate whether or not if that’s enough space for you.

Don’t hesitate in running the faucets in the bathrooms and kitchen, to make sure the water is running correctly.

Some open houses in Encinitas have been stripped with all of the previous owner’s belongings so a prospective home buyer could imagine their flare and furniture in the open house.

Ask these questions to the Realtor of the open house in Encinitas:

  1. When was the house built (if the home was built in 1977 or earlier, the house has lead paint)?
  2. When and where were renovations made?
  3. How long ago was the home listed (The longer the market has obtained this listing, the more priced it will be)?
  4. Ask about the school district if you have kids

After the Open House

Looking over the notes that you took of the issues may help you to put together a better deal, but this will also refresh your memory when you’re making a decision on your home in Encinitas.

Set up an appointment to make a second visit if you’re interested. Look at all of the pictures you took so you could minimize your list of homes. Finally trust your gut feeling. Staged homes are out there and you don’t want to be suckered into anything that isn’t legitimate or if it isn’t right for you.

By Linda Moore

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