When you are buying a home in Knoxville, one of the fun parts about the process is getting to tour some of the properties that you may be interested in putting an offer on. It’s a great way to imagine yourself living in the home, and it will help you to visualize the features on your ‘must-have’ list. However, you do have to remember that these properties are still someone else’s home, so it is important to behave respectfully and professionally. It is not unheard of for sellers to reject an offer or refuse to negotiate based on something a prospective buyer said or did during the property tour. With that in mind, let’s talk about some of the dos and don’ts to follow when you start visiting properties while buying a home in Knoxville.
Don’t Bring An Entire Entourage!
If this is your first time buying a home in Knoxville, you are probably quite excited about it! There is a good chance your family and friends are also getting caught up in your excitement. They may even want to tag along on property visits. However, there are a couple of reasons why this is not a good idea! First of all, your friends and family are going to offer opinions and advice on the properties you are viewing. However, their personal taste and concerns may not match your own, so their input may distract you from your own property evaluations. Secondly, it is important to keep in mind that until you exchange keys, the property you are visiting is the seller’s home. It is inappropriate for you to bring a large group of people into their home to potentially pick apart their choices. Any comments they make could impact your negotiations should you decide to put an offer in on the house. If you do need support from someone to make decisions, limit it to one person and make sure you check with your realtor that it is going to be okay.
Do Assume That The Homeowner is Watching & Listening
Even if the seller is not present during your property tour, you should always assume that they might be listening or watching. Home surveillance cameras are increasingly common, and while it may be unethical to use them to ‘spy’ on potential buyers, there is no guarantee that the seller will not do so! Even outside the home, there is potential for neighbors to overhear what you say and pass your comments along to the homeowner. It is best to hold any comments you may have until you have left the property and are safely out of potential earshot.
Don’t Take Photos, Record Videos, or Livestream the Property
We share so much of our lives on social media these days, so why would buying a home in Knoxville be any different? The answer comes back to the fact that even though they are preparing to sell, you are touring someone’s home. Unless you have permission from the property owner, you should not take photographs or record videos of the home. Even if they do allow you to do so, you should respect their privacy and not upload them to social media. One thing that you absolutely must not do is livestream your tour of the house. That can wait until it officially belongs to you!
Do Imagine What The Home Will Look Like
When buying a home in Knoxville, you will probably have an image of your dream home in your head. It can be disappointing when property tour after property tour delivers homes that don’t fit that ideal. However, you need to make sure that you keep an open mind and use your imagination! Everyone has their own personal tastes when it comes to home decor. Just because a property isn’t to your personal taste doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t be your dream home! Take some time to imagine it redecorated to your own style and taste. It is easy to make changes without spending a significant amount. New paint, different window dressing, modern light fittings, and other design touches can make a big difference if you won’t be able to fully renovate immediately after moving in.
Don’t Use The Bathroom!
When buying a home in Knoxville, it is perfectly understandable to want to ensure everything is in good working order. When checking out the bathrooms, it is perfectly acceptable to flush the toilets or turn on the faucets to ensure everything is working correctly. It is even okay to open the drawers and cabinets. However, should you need to answer the call of nature, it is always polite to ask the homeowner or their representative first - just like you would visiting anyone else’s home as a guest. In fact, if possible, you should make sure to use the restroom before your property tour appointment!
These are just a few of the dos and don’ts you need to consider when scheduling your property tours. It is mostly common sense, so if in doubt, just make an effort to be polite and professional. All that is left to say is good luck with buying a home in Knoxville.
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Wright Realty is a full-service real estate concierge with a wholistic approach to buying and selling property in East Tennessee. We are your trusted advisor and keep open communication throughout your entire buying/selling process. Real Estate done "Wright" means more than just a 'transaction'.
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Visit www.realtydonewright.com or call 865-556-8599
