Knowing what to look for when touring a house can provide important insights during your home search, whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or you’ve been around the block a few times. However, it’s easy to overlook key details if you don’t know what to keep an eye out for.
With the number of U.S. homebuyers recently hitting a record low and 80% of housing markets favoring buyers, many buyers have more room to be selective than they did during the pandemic-era housing boom. Taking the time to evaluate each home carefully can help you narrow down your options and ultimately buy with confidence.
How to evaluate a home: what to look for when touring a house
Both the interior and exterior of the home are worth a close look during a tour. Try to look beyond the staging and finishes and focus on how the home functions, its overall condition, and anything that may require additional maintenance or investigation. A house-hunting checklist can help you keep track of the details, especially if you’re touring several homes.
Consider the layout and functionality
Once inside the home, think about how the space would work for you day to day. Are the rooms large enough for your furniture? Is there enough storage? Does the floor plan make sense for your household?
Take a closer look at the things you may not notice in listing photos.
Open and shut cupboards and closets, flush the toilets, test faucets, and bring a measuring tape if you need to confirm that furniture will fit. Pay attention to stairways, too. Are the stairs comfortable to go up and down? Is there a rail? Do they feel sturdy?
Look at the home’s overall condition
Pay attention to the visible condition of the walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and fixtures. Look for things like water stains, cracks, uneven floors, or other signs of damage or deferred maintenance.
You don’t need to diagnose potential problems during a tour. Instead, make note of anything you want to ask your agent about or have evaluated more closely if you move forward with the home.
Walk around the exterior
Don’t forget to walk around the entire home and property. Pay attention to the visible condition of the roof, siding, foundation, drainage, trees, and landscaping. Does the landscaping look like it’ll require a lot of work to maintain? Are there large or overgrown branches near the roof or windows? Consider both the condition of the exterior and how much ongoing maintenance the property may require.
Use your five senses when touring homes
Each sense helps you assess what to look for when touring a house beyond just appearances.
Sight: Are there signs of water damage? Do you see mold? What does it look like under the sinks? How close are the homes next door? Can you see inside your neighbor’s home? Is there natural light coming through or do the rooms feel dark? Is there anything of concern being covered by window dressings, rugs, etc.?
Hearing: Assess the noise level in the neighborhood. Is the house located near a highway or busy street? Is the interior of the home quiet, or can you hear the HVAC system? Do the floors squeak?
Smell: Can you smell pet, smoke, musty, or mildew odors? Are there strong fragrances that make other smells difficult to notice?
Touch: What is the water pressure and temperature like? Do any of the walls feel damp, particularly in the bathrooms? Do the floors feel level? Is the tile slippery? Are the heated floors actually heated?
A home tour isn’t a replacement for a professional inspection. The goal is to determine whether the home works for you and identify anything you may want to learn more about before moving forward.
Questions to ask when looking at a house
Agents tour homes every day and can help you gather information that may not be obvious during a walkthrough. If your agent doesn’t know the answer to a question, they can always verify with the seller. Here are a few common questions to ask your agent:
Affordability questions
- Is the home priced reasonably for the current market and comparable homes nearby?
- Can you get information about typical utility costs?
- Is there a homeowner’s association with fees?
Market-related questions
- How long has this home been on the market?
- How many offers have been made?
- When are offers due?
- Do you think the home will sell quickly?
- Why is the home up for sale?
- How often has the home been sold in the last 10 years?
Physical condition of the home
- How old is the home?
- What home improvements did the sellers make?
- Are there any known repairs or issues?
- What type of heating and cooling systems are in place?
- How old are the electrical and plumbing systems?
- How old is the roof?
- When were the floors last refinished?
- How old are the appliances?
Other questions to ask your agent
- Do you have any concerns about this home?
- Is the home located in a flood zone?
- Is there a pre-listing home inspection?
- What’s included in the home sale (like appliances)?
How to prepare for a home tour
Before stepping inside, do some research and narrow down your must-haves versus nice-to-haves. Beyond price, think about the location, layout, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, outdoor space, and other features that matter most to you.
Be ready to take notes and photos as you’re touring. Having pictures and notes to reference will make it easier to remember your thoughts and the details of each home you tour.
Here are a few things to consider before and during your tour.
Get to know the neighborhood
Take a few minutes before or after your home tour to check out the surrounding area. How does the neighborhood feel? Is it busy or quiet? Is there shopping, dining, and other amenities nearby?
If you’re interested in making an offer on the home, do some additional research online and ask your agent what they know about the surrounding area. Also look at the home’s school rankings, Walk Score®, and Transit Score®, which can be found toward the bottom of Redfin’s listing pages.
Evaluate the floor plan, number of rooms, and room sizes
Do you prefer an open layout or do you like the differentiation between rooms in a house?
As you’re touring homes, think about how the floor plan would work for your day-to-day life, not just how it looks while staged.
You’ll likely determine how many bedrooms you’re looking for before you begin touring homes, but don’t forget to note the size of the rooms when you start viewing houses in person. Will the bedrooms be large enough for your kids as they get older? Will they be spacious enough to accommodate a home office? While the number of bedrooms is important, the size and layout also matter.
Assess the home’s natural lighting
If having plenty of natural light ranks high on your list of must-haves, you’ll want to take note of the amount of light each room may get throughout the day. Does the home face north or south? Typically, a south-facing home will see the most hours of sunlight throughout the day.
Consider your ideal home style
Narrow down the style of home that you want. From craftsman-style houses to mid-century modern homes, there are many home styles to choose from. By browsing listings online, you’ll be able to get an idea of what home style(s) you’re most drawn to, which can also help narrow down your search.
Age-related hazards in older homes
If you’re considering an older home, be aware of potential health and financial risks tied to outdated building materials. Two of the most common concerns are:
- Asbestos: Often found in popcorn ceilings, insulation, floor tiles, and pipe coverings in some older homes, asbestos can pose serious health risks when its fibers become airborne. If you suspect asbestos is present, consider professional testing before disturbing or removing the material.
- Lead-based paint: Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Peeling or chipping paint can be worth investigating further, particularly if young children will live in the home.
If you suspect a home contains hazardous materials, factor in the cost of inspection and removal when considering an offer. Always consult with your real estate agent about ordering environmental assessments as part of your due diligence.
Outdoor features
Last but not least, you should have an idea in mind of what you’re looking for in terms of outdoor space. Consider how much yard space you’d like to have and whether you want to add features like a pool or patio.
Red flags to look for when touring a house
Part of knowing what to look for when touring a house is spotting potential deal-breakers and red flags that might not be obvious at first glance. These are a few potential red flags you should be aware of and pay close attention to during home tours:
- Overly-scented rooms – Overpowering fragrances can indicate that the seller is attempting to mask unpleasant smells like pet odor or mildew.
- Water stains and damage – If you notice any water stains, they might signal underlying water damage to the home, which could lead to costly repairs later on.
- A lack of maintenance – Signs that the homeowner has neglected regular maintenance, such as burnt-out light bulbs, fading paint, and leaking faucets, might signal bigger issues.
- Foundation issues – Noticeable cracks around doorways and windows can be worth a closer look, particularly if they’re large or accompanied by other signs of movement. A professional can help determine whether they point to underlying foundation issues..
- A sagging ceiling –A sagging ceiling warrants further investigation, as there are several possible causes, including moisture or structural issues.
- Fresh paint – While it’s normal for a seller to freshen up their home with paint before selling, fresh paint on one wall or a specific spot could be a sign they’re trying to cover up an issue.
- Signs of pest problems – Visible droppings in corners, unexplained musty odors, small holes near baseboards, or chewed wires and wood might indicate rodents, termites, or other pests, which could lead to major repairs or extermination costs.
Ask your agent what information is available about recent renovations and whether permits were required. If you notice unfinished or unusual work, make a note to look at it more closely during the inspection.
How to schedule a home tour on Redfin
Once you’ve done your research and you’re ready to start viewing homes in person, you can easily book a home tour online. Follow these quick instructions to book your online tour:
- On the right-hand side underneath the listing photos, find the “Go see this home” section. Then simply select the date you’d like to see the home, and whether you’d like to see it in person or via video chat, and press “Schedule Tour.”
- You’ll then be prompted with a few more questions regarding the home tour. Select the time and method that works best for you, and provide your contact information. Just like that, you’ve booked your home tour.
FAQs: What to look for when touring a house
What should I look for inside the house?
Check for potential signs of damage, unusual odors, signs of moisture or mold, ceiling sagging, appliance condition, and visible wear.
What should I check outside the home?
Look for roof damage, foundation cracks, poor drainage, or overgrown trees near the structure.
What are some signs of poor maintenance?
Burnt-out lights, peeling paint, leaking faucets, loose doorknobs, or DIY electrical work can all signal neglect.
What should I ask my real estate agent during a tour?
Ask about recent repairs, the home’s history, utility costs, HOA rules, flood zone status, and how long it’s been on the market.
The bottom line: what to look for when touring a house
Knowing what to look for when touring a house gives you an advantage as a homebuyer. It helps you spot red flags early and make confident, informed decisions. Touring a home is your chance to evaluate both the property and its surroundings. Focus on structural issues, maintenance history, and potential safety or cost concerns. Bring a checklist, take notes, and keep an eye out for potential red flags.
The post What to Look for on a Home Tour appeared first on Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling & More.