Buying a house is a significant financial decision, and you shouldn’t take it lightly. From proper etiquette to common sense tips, here are 5 things you shouldn’t do when viewing a house for sale.
5 Things You Shouldn’t Do When Viewing a House for Sale
House hunting can be a long, frustrating process, but you have to remember that you’re walking into and viewing someone else’s home. Many sellers post specific viewing guidelines, but others simply expect potential buyers to be courteous with their property. Whether this is your first or hundredth viewing, it’s important to understand what you shouldn’t do when viewing a house.
Don’t Show Up Unless You’re Serious
There’s nothing worse for a seller than someone wasting their time when trying to sell their property. Only if you’re truly seriously considering purchasing a home should you be scheduling a viewing or attending an open house.
With that in mind, you need to be professional and dress nicely, as this may lead to a business transaction. Also, it’s a good thing to be on your best behavior – this viewing may lead to more viewing opportunities in case you’re not interested.
Don’t Wear Your Shoes Inside
No matter what you do in your own home, you shouldn’t wear your shoes inside during a viewing unless the seller or agent specifically tells you otherwise. If you leave your shoes on, you may drag in dirt, mud, or other debris, which could be problematic for the seller.
Most likely, they’ve spent a good amount of time getting the entire house ready to sell, and you don’t want to be the one to make a mess.
Don’t Open Cabinets and Closets
Although storage is one of the most essential things to consider when viewing a house, you should avoid opening cabinets, closets, and other storage areas without asking. Unless the seller has already moved completely out of the house, you shouldn’t take it upon yourself to view every square inch of the property.
Most of the time, sellers and agents will allow you to get a good look at everything, but you should be courteous enough to ask permission just in case there are places that are off limits.
Don’t Touch Any Personal Items
Many sellers leave personal items and decorations in the home for staging purposes, and you should never touch any of these items—in fact, you shouldn’t even ask if you can. Avoid touching or handling anything that doesn’t belong to you during the viewing. You wouldn’t want a random person coming into your home and touching your personal items; therefore, you shouldn’t do this in someone else’s house.
Don’t Do Anything Without Asking the Real Estate Agent
Ultimately, you shouldn’t do anything at the viewing you wouldn’t want done in your own home. Because many people have different rules when it comes to their property, you should always ask the seller or real estate agent before you do anything other than walk around. If you’d like to go out and inspect the patio or backyard, that should be fine to do on your own, though.
Although this may seem extreme, being respectful and courteous is your duty as a potential buyer. Additionally, the seller is more likely to accept your offer if you’re professional and well-mannered during the viewing.
Now that you know what you shouldn’t do when viewing a house,you’re ready to start or continue your house hunting journey. While it may take a while to find the right property for you, the next viewing could be your new home.