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...]
When buyers study a floor plan, they usually focus on where the rooms are located. Is the primary bedroom downstairs? Is the laundry room near the bedrooms? Is the kitchen open to the living area? There is another detail worth checking that may not be obvious during a showing: what is happening on the other side of each wall. Start With the BedroomsBedroom placement can have a major effect on how a home feels during everyday life. Look at what shares a wall with each bedroom. It could be another bedroom, a bathroom, laundry room, garage, kitchen, staircase, or family room. A bedroom positioned … [Read More...]
