Remain impartial to what you can see during a quick drive-by. Look Beyond What You Can See from the Street – One of the most common mistakes potential buyers make is to make a snap decision whether they hate or love a property simply based on the initial drive-by. If they hate it, they are dismissing what could be crucial leverage for lowering the purchase price of the home. If they “fall in love” with the property, they will often over-pay.

What should you do as a buyer in the market? - Take Notes! One suggestion is to create what I might call an “Approval Rating Sheet” for different aspects of each house your Professional Realtor® suggests you view. The Approval Rating Sheet might include a rating scale of 1 to 5 for each area of the home followed by objective notes on good and bad points from that area.

But the reality is, it doesn't matter how you take notes... So long as you intentionally take notes when you walk through the property so you can lean on your notes when you are comparing the homes you've viewed later on. Remember, you don't need to be an expert to observe whether a home has been built well or just thrown together. Make note of your observations and snap a picture. If you have any questions, lean on your professional Realtor® for their opinion. I want to be upfront here; some will tell you: "If you like the home, just make an offer and wait for the appraiser to do their job". Although I don't personally like this answer, I respect the idea that many people "want" to separate themselves from the liability of giving an incorrect answer. The reality is, Sales Agents are not Appraisers, Lawyers, Loan Officers, Title Agents, Surveyors, Plumbers, Electricians, Roofers, nor are we professionals in other fields. Though we may suggest (for liability sake) that you consult a specific professional on certain matters, we are here to guide you through the home buying (and selling) process. Your Realtor® has seen a great deal and has a full list of qualified professionals at their fingertips should the need arise. We are here to, among several other things, coordinate and communicate everything related to the purchasing process. Rest assured, your Realtor® is already making mental (if not physical) note of each of the items listed below. The goal here is for you see the same things the Realtor® sees so you have the information you need to make a completely informed decision.

Here are some noteworthy points to ponder while touring a home you may potentially buy:

• Curb Appeal
  • Concrete or Asphalt Driveway and Sidewalks - Are there major cracks? Does it appear in good condition?
  • Roof - Are there obvious holes or differences in color where parts look to be replaced or repaired?
  • Paint/Siding/Stonework - Is the paint peeling or chipping off? Are there any uncovered holes? 
  • etc.
• HVAC System(s)
  • Overall appearance - Does the unit look dirty/dusty (indicating a lack of maintenance)? Does it look rusty (indicating an end of life)?
  • Age - Look for a label indicating manufacture date and snap a picture so you can investigate later. Note... HVAC systems are only expected to last between 8 and 14 years in South Florida.
  • Number of HVAC Units - Count the units to make sure you're seeing the full picture of what needs to be maintained.
  • Overall temp of each room - This may help indicate if system is working well (or if the thermostat just needs adjustment)
  • etc.
• Water System
  • Water Heater - Like the HVAC system, snap a picture of the label containing manufacture date. If you can't find the label, make note of fuel type, size of unit, and whether it's a tank or tankless unit. 
  • Water Softener - If the home has a water softener, snap a picture of the label containing manufacture date.
  • Water Filter System - If the home has a water filter system, make note of the manufacturer, age of unit/system, and overall condition.
  • Type of pipes - (Often overlooked but very important for insurance purposes - Be ready to replace any Polybutylene (PB) pipes or walk away from the property)
  • etc.
• Electrical System
  • Overall appearance - Does the breaker box look new and/or maintained? Or does appear rusty and/or neglected? 
  • Size of Electrical Service - The average size for a modern South Florida home is 200A. If it is accessible and appears safe, open the cover and snap a picture. Later, zoom in on the picture to find the size of the main breaker. Point here is... It may need to be upgraded if you have an automobile with a plug-in or if you have shop tools with heavy electrical draw. 
  • Outlets, Switches - Do they look like an older style that needs replacement or do they look to be updated? Are there outlets or switches that have obvious burn marks (seriously, I've seen it many times)? 
  • etc.
• Kitchen - Looking for Appearance and Usability on each of the following... Do you like what you see? Does it need an upgrade?
  • Counters 
  • Sink(s)
  • Faucet(s)
  • Layout
  • Appliances
  • Cabinets
  • Flooring
  • Lighting
  • etc.
• Each Bathroom - Looking for Appearance and Usability on each of the following... Do you like what you see? Does it need an upgrade?
  • Counters
  • Sink(s)
  • Faucet(s)
  • Shower/Tub
  • Mirror
  • Lighting
  • Tilework
  • Doors
  • etc.
• Each Bedroom, Livingroom, Dining Room, Family Room, etc. - Looking for Appearance and Usability on each of the following... Do you like what you see? Does it need an upgrade?
  • Flooring
  • Walls
  • Ceiling
  • Paint
  • Lighting
  • Doors
  • Windows
  • etc.
• Outdoor Living Space(s) - Looking for Appearance and Usability on each of the following... Do you like what you see? Does it need an upgrade?
  • Flooring
  • Walls
  • Ceiling
  • Paint
  • Lighting
  • Doors
  • Windows
  • Screening
  • etc.
• Pool Area
  • Pump - Like other appliances, make note of the age and condition of the pump. Pool pumps typically last 3 to 5 years in South Florida.
  • Filter - Make note of age, type, and condition. Average life of cartridge filters is 2 to 3 years, and average life of Diatomaceous Earth grids is 5 to 10 years.
  • Cover - Make note of apparent age and condition
  • Pool Deck - Make note of condition. Are there major cracks? 
  • etc.
• Etc.

It takes time to take good notes (and some will tell you you’re crazy for doing it), but good notes coupled with a picture or two here and there will help immensely as you attempt to organize thoughts at the end of the day. Your job is to use your notes to make an objective decision on the house to invest in and make your home. But, as stated earlier, sharing your notes (or at least a synopsis thereof) on each house with your Realtor® provides invaluable feedback that will guide us on how to better serve you. Remember, we want you to be happy with your experience as well as the house you make a home. The reality is that taking these notes helps to take emotion out of home buying so an objective approach can be taken while negotiating the best deal possible for you.