Most home buyers (and agents, if we’re being honest!) can agree that home showings are the best part of the buying process. There’s a reason why publications like Architectural Digest are so popular; most people love looking at home interiors! However, viewing a home for the purpose of assessing it and potentially buying it is a bit different than touring a celebrity home for entertainment.

During the home-buying process, showings feel like real, tangible momentum toward your goal of homeownership. Your agent has curated some properties they think you’ll like, and getting ready to go out and see them in person feels exciting! But don’t get too carried away, there are a few things you should consider and keep in mind when going to home showings.

Here’s how to prepare for home showings as a buyer in Park City.

If You’re Coming From Out of Town

In Park City’s unique real estate market, many home buyers are coming from out of town or even out of state. If you’re purchasing a second home, vacation property, or investment property (yes, there is a difference), your approach to home showings will be a little different than for someone who lives here full-time.

If you’re planning to visit Park City to check out some homes in person, it’s a good idea to engage the help of a local real estate agent before you even book your flights. An experienced local agent can spend time curating, vetting, and even pre-touring homes to make sure when you arrive, your time seeing homes is well-spent.

In some cases, we’ve even had clients buy a home sight-unseen after falling in love with it over FaceTime.

When you’re working with time constraints, you may want to view multiple properties in a day. However, we recommend limiting yourself to 3 or 4 showings per day to not get overwhelmed.

For more tips and advice on buying a home in Park City, check out Part 1 and Part 2 of our home-buying FAQ.

Know Yourself but Be Open-Minded!

Before embarking on your house hunt, make sure you have a well-defined list of must-haves, nice-to-haves, and dealbreakers. Having a specific vision for your future home will help your agent curate listings to view and it will also help you refine the search as you begin seeing properties.

With that said, it’s also a good idea to keep an open mind. You might see something you hadn’t considered before that turns out to be something you love!

Learn more about buying a home in Park City with these posts next:

• How to Buy a Ski-In, Ski-Out Property in Park City
• Is it Better to Buy or Rent in Park City?
• Do You Need a Realtor to Buy a New Construction Home in Park City?

What to Bring to Home Showings

Wear shoes that are easy to remove: Some sellers might opt for a ‘shoes-off’ household, you don’t want to be stuck tying shoes or fiddling with straps in the foyer when you could be touring the home.

Something to keep notes with: Whether you’re an old-school person who loves pen and paper or you prefer to keep a Notes app on your smartphone, having something to take down notes is always recommended. It’s a good way to keep your first impressions, thoughts, and additional questions organized, particularly if you are touring multiple properties.

Fully-charged smartphone: With your phone in hand, you can take your own photos and video of the property to reference later. If you’re purchasing with someone who can’t be present for the showing, you can FaceTime. Nothing would be more disappointing than trying to capture a moment and having your phone battery die.

A measuring tape, just in case: Official floor plans can sometimes feel hard to visualize, even if they have dimensions listed. If you find yourself touring a home that you absolutely love, you may want to take some initial measurements to see how your furniture might fit in the room.

In the market for a second home in Park City? Read Can You Buy a Second Home in Park City Remotely? For more tips on buying from afar.

Do Your Research

Before the showing, your agent will likely give you additional details about the property and its location. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t do a little recon on your own. Look through the property details and prepare questions ahead of time or flag anything you want to look at more closely at the showing.

Your agent will be a great resource when learning about the neighborhood, particularly if you work with a local team like Chin Fleming Harris Luxury Resort Real Estate. We can tell you everything you need to know about the community. What are the amenities? Pros and cons of living here? What’s the parking situation? How close are you to a lift? Are there any trailheads nearby? What schools are nearby?

Your agent is a valuable resource in this regard, but Google is also your friend here!

If you’re interested in exploring some of Park City’s most unique neighborhoods, here are some posts you might enjoy next:

• Best Gated Communities in Park City
• Best Golf Communities in Park City
• Park City Neighborhoods with the Best Views

At the Showing

Practice your poker face: Try to avoid making comments about the home while touring it. The listing agent may be present, or the homeowner may have a smart home device that can pick up on things. You’ll get a chance to regroup with your agent after the showing. It’s best to keep buyer feedback to the official channels between agents.

Use your imagination: Try to picture your family living in the space. Focus on the layout, the natural light, and the flow and feel of the home. That’s what is truly important at this stage.

Don’t sweat the details: As you focus on the big picture, try not to get caught up in small things. Paint colors, appliances, window treatments, and light fixtures are all easily changed and shouldn’t be the sole reason you pass on an otherwise great home.

Check for visible damage: While things like home inspections and due diligence are done as part of the contingencies for the sale, it’s a good idea to do a quick check for visible damage you may want to address. Water damage, musty basement smells, or cracks in the foundation are sometimes easy to spot.

Take your time: This is a big investment! You should never feel rushed when viewing a property. If you want to return to specific rooms for a closer look, go right ahead. If you have more questions, feel free to ask them! This time is for you and you alone.

After the Showing

Once the showing is over and you’re back outside with your agent, that’s the time to review your notes and photos and provide your honest feedback. Don’t worry about hurting anyone’s feelings. Not only does honest feedback help your buying agent refine your search when showing you future properties, but it also helps the listing agent advise their client on why the home isn’t hitting the mark with buyers.

If there were any questions you didn’t ask while in the showing, you can also ask them now. Your agent can communicate with the selling agent to get the answers for you.

Looking for your next home in Park City? Let Chin Fleming Harris Luxury Resort Real Estate show you around! Get in touch with us via the form below or by calling/emailing us today.