By Elizabeth Putnam, Real Estate Broker | Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty | Asheville & Western North Carolina
A home has caught your eye. The photos look lovely. Now let’s get to know it beyond its best camera angles! How we do that depends on whether you live nearby or are buying from out of town.
The goal is to use your time well and learn which homes deserve a closer look.
If You Live Locally
Drive through areas that interest you and visit open houses. Notice road access, nearby activity, the surrounding properties, and the feel of the setting. Visit at different times when practical.
A drive-by can help you decide whether to schedule a showing. Stay on public roads and respect private property; a listing is not permission to enter a driveway or walk the grounds.
When market conditions allow, this initial exploring can save time. If a desirable property is moving quickly, we may need to arrange a showing sooner.
For several promising homes, grouping tours into one or two days can make comparisons easier. If none rises to the top, that is okay! A day of “not this one” can still teach us a lot about what “the one” should feel like.
If You Are Buying from Out of Town
We can plan a visit to explore homes and communities, or begin with agent previews after establishing the appropriate buyer agreement.
For a specific search, such as a mountain retreat with long-range views, there may be only a few suitable homes to consider. A recorded tour can help you decide whether a trip makes sense.
I often prefer recorded videos to live FaceTime. Mountain connectivity can make live tours grainy or unreliable. I record manageable segments, usually around five minutes, and narrate my observations. You can pause, rewind, and share them with family.
Videos are a useful screening tool. They cannot fully convey the setting, condition, or experience of being there, so we will discuss what still needs an in-person visit or professional investigation.
Planning a home-search visit? Call or text me at (828) 301-6374.
Related reading: Step 5: Touring Homes · Buyer Representation in NC · Homebuying Overview
- Homebuying Guide
