In the ideal world, it would be possible to spend a few days or even a few weeks living in the home that you intend to buy before you close the deal. This would allow you to learn all of the pros and cons of the home as it pertains to your lifestyle. In reality, this is not an option in a conventional real estate transaction, but that does not mean you cannot get to know your prospective home before putting in an offer to buy.

Doing Your Homework is A Must

Do your due diligence before you purchase so you know if you and your family are truly well-suited for the home. The following will help you ensure you make the right decision:

• Scout Out the Neighborhood – To get a feel for the neighborhood, you can tour the area and take advantage of new technology that can give you more information to work with. Google Maps now offers a ‘street view’ feature that allows you to see satellite images up close. By looking at the street view you will be able to see how well the neighbors take care of their homes (which can affect your property value), if there are neighbors with pools, and more. These are things that you may not see when simply taking a quick tour of the area in person.
• Verify the Sound Levels – If your prospective home is near a busy street, visiting at various times per day will help you determine just how noisy it will be. Remember to open the windows, particularly in the bedrooms. Sometimes in the excitement of looking at a beautiful home, obvious steps like this can be overlooked.
• Speak to People That Live Nearby – Typically, new neighbors will tell you everything you need to know about the area and more once you move in. They may be equally as open if you just try to initiate a conversation before you purchase. If you don’t feel bold enough to approach the neighbors, visit local stores and speak with the staff.

Scouting out the area and doing some homework before you make an offer is the closest you can get to trying before you buy, and it can ensure that you are satisfied with your decision for the long-term.