A spacious living room or oversized primary bedroom can make a home feel like the perfect fit. However, there is one question buyers rarely ask during a showing: Can the furniture they own actually make it into those rooms? A room may have plenty of space for a king-size bed or sectional sofa, but getting those items through the house can be an entirely different challenge. Room Size Is Only Part of the EquationBuyers often measure rooms to determine whether their furniture will fit. While that is important, the dimensions of the room do not tell the whole story. A large sofa may fit … [Read More...]
When touring a two-story home, most buyers pay attention to the size of the bedrooms, closet space, and overall layout. However, one detail that often gets overlooked is what sits directly above each bedroom. The location of upstairs rooms, plumbing, and mechanical equipment can influence how comfortable and quiet a bedroom feels long after the purchase. Upstairs Rooms Can Affect Downstairs ComfortA bedroom located beneath another bedroom may experience relatively little activity during sleeping hours. However, a bedroom positioned directly below a kitchen, laundry room, or busy living area … [Read More...]
The FOMC Minutes and Consumer Sentiment report were the most impactful calendar items last week, further reinforcing the Federal Reserve's resolve to bring inflation down to its 2% target rate. While there is considerable speculation about another rate increase, recent analyst expectations suggest that the Fed will hold rates at their current level for some time. The Consumer Sentiment report showed a slight increase, largely driven by moderating gas prices, which have helped provide consumers with some relief.Consumer Sentiment ReportThe University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment index was … [Read More...]
Doors seem like one of the simplest parts of a house. They open, they close, and buyers rarely give them another thought. But when several doors occupy a small area, the way they swing can create awkward little conflicts that may not become obvious until after you move in. Open the Doors TogetherDuring a showing, look for areas where multiple doors are located close together. Bathrooms, closets, laundry rooms, pantries, garages, and small hallways are particularly useful places to check. Open neighboring doors and see what happens. Does the bathroom door block the linen closet? Does a bedroom … [Read More...]
Taking out the trash is probably not on your homebuying checklist. Yet it is one of those ordinary chores you may repeat hundreds of times after moving in. During a showing, take a moment to figure out where outdoor trash and recycling containers would be stored and how they would get from that location to the collection point.Find the Storage SpotStart by identifying where the containers would realistically live. Some homes have an obvious space beside the garage. Others may require containers to be stored behind a gate, inside the garage, along a narrow side yard, or somewhere less … [Read More...]
Most buyers know to turn on faucets during a home tour. They check whether water flows, glance underneath sinks, and may test the shower. But a home rarely operates with only one plumbing fixture running at a time. A more revealing question is what happens when water is being used in two places at once. Test More Than One FixtureIf appropriate during your evaluation of the property, try running water at one fixture while another is already operating.For example, what happens at the shower when a nearby sink is turned on? Does the flow appear noticeably different?The goal is not to diagnose the … [Read More...]
