Why is a House-Hunting Checklist Essential: a 8-points Strategy You’d Better Reviewing Now
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Short sad story:
You start looking at properties for sale online, and you think: “Let me just have a super quick look to get an idea of what is available on the market”.
What should have been a quick look, turns out to be a 2-hours scroll of listings.
You like pretty much all the properties you see, despite prices and style and locations vary significantly from one ad to the other
Result: headache, confusion, 300 different ideas in your mind, 0 practical idea of what property you actually want to tour.
Image by A. Piacquadio
No panic guys. In this article we’ll help you in outlining a very simple (but incredibly strategic) checklist that will let you properly determine quite quickly whether a home is a good fit for you or not.
Be clear with yourself first
We keep repeating this ridiculously straightforward fact to all our clients: when it comes to select a property to visit, it’s very important to know what they are actually looking for. Sounds easy but we know it’s not.
That’s also the reason why we like to “interview” our clients with a series of questions that many times help the most confused ones in identifying what they’re actually looking for.
And here comes the magic power of… checklists and bullet points.
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We all know: while making a list, our thoughts get organized. The thing is that the process of writing down what’s important to you helps you explore the details and features of your desires, and may also uncover things you would not have realized unless you put yourself in that mindset.
Having a clear checklist of priorities in your mind is the first step for a serene and meaningful house buying process. A house-hunting checklist, especially when you start looking for properties online, can make the difference between information overload and an informed outcome!
Before any checklist: 2 preliminary questions to answer
Before jumping to any checklists, stop a second and ask yourself these 2 basic questions:
What are your true needs? These should be based on your lifestyle and your life projects. It’s important to identify, research, and customize your list of potentially interesting properties with your neighborhood, community and features needs.
What are your must-haves versus nice-to-haves? Sit down with your partner (or alone, or with someone you can brainstorm with), and think about this. Remember: home buying often takes a bit of compromise.
First time visit to a property: come prepared!
Once identified a property to tour, our tip is to come prepared: there’s a lot to take in when visiting a home for the first time!
Given that buying a home is a BIG financial choice, it’s best not to go into it blindly. That’s why touring is one of the most important parts of the homebuying process.
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Emotions and first-time impressions are extremely important in the buying decision, but they’re not enough: we all know there are a lot of practical details to look at in a house.
So… come prepared with a list that is thoughtful, thorough, and well organized. And if you have questions or concerns, we as agent are your expert, ready to answer to whatever can pass through your mind about the property.
Our 8-points house-hunting checklist
#1 - Location, location, location: take few minutes before or after your home tour to check out the area. How does the neighborhood feel? Is it bustling or quiet? Is there shopping, dining, and gas nearby? How far are the most important services you look for? In the specific case of Lake Como, is a car required to reach the lake/beach? Think about your idea of convenience.
© Lakeside
#2 - Architectural style, size, and remodeling opportunities - Okay, the interior style can be changed, but… are you sure you can live in a super cool brand new 50 sq.m attic when you are used to live in a laaaarge period house with garden and massive rooms and high-ceilings?
Before starting dreaming about huge renovations, our internal technical studio can give you an idea of the investment (of time and money) needed for them, as well as their feasibility (bear in mind that Lake Como is a highly protected area: all renovation projects involving the outside of buildings need the approval from the Soprintendenza office in Milano!).
Remember that the technical survey is charged to the buyer in Italy.
#3 - Amount of natural light, views and overall vibe - Humans are like plants; light is a key element in our everyday lives. It guides us throughout the day and influence our mood and wellbeing. Think about this: are you okay in living in a ground floor that benefits from a poor natural light? How is the house you’re visiting: airy, cozy, spacious?
#4 - Garden - Are you sure you want a green area? A garden needs love and steady attention, like a baby. Does the landscaping look like it will be a lot of work? If you don’t have a green thumb and don’t want to hire a gardener every month, you may want to look for a home with easy outdoor upkeep.
#5 - Noise levels inside and outside the home - When you visit, take a moment to notice the ambient noise around you. We are always clear about this topic before every visit. We like to be transparent with our clients. If a house is facing the main road, you won’t never hear us saying something like “it’s A BIT noisy”. No: it’s NOISY. Full stop.
#6 - Width and types of stairways - Pay attention to stairways. Are the stairs comfortable to go up and down? Think about your future or the accessibility for the elder members of your family.
#7 - Garage and/or parking capacity - There are some areas of Lake Como where, especially in summer, it’s quite difficult to find a public parking space. This is due to the morphology of the landscape. If a garage or parking spot is not included in the sale, and there are no rental possibilities nearby, make your considerations.
#8 - Proximity to neighboring homes - How much privacy do you want? The basic or the utmost?
Takeaway
“As you complete your walkthrough, consider your emotions, but put more weight in the facts and practical considerations. Can you envision yourself living in the home? If you love what you see, how long will you want to live there? Will the home still meet your needs five or 10 years down the road? Are other homes in the area comparably priced? Is there something about this home that makes it worth more (such as a stunning view) or less (likes a busy street location)?”- S. Moody
Looking for a property to buy around Lake Como, Italy?