Before even attending the home tour, make a list of you can or cannot live without. Try to limit your must-haves to 5 or less, especially if you have a tighter budget.
While you may be able to identify some of your must-haves and nice-to-haves from the listing, there are others you'll want to feel out in-person. For example, do you need your home to be turn-key with no repairs needed? Do you need enough garage space for home projects?
Is the home right for you?
Time to evaluate whether or not the space itself fits your lifestyle and preferences. Pay attention to these categories:
Layout and Flow
- Does it feel functional and natural?
- Is there space for your lifestyle (play areas for kids, office space for work-from home, etc.)?
- Can you picture your daily routine in the home?
- Are the bedrooms large enough for your current household? Large enough to grow into?
Natural Light and Windows
- See the home during the middle of the day. Is there enough sunlight in the rooms where you want it?
- Does each room have enough / big enough windows?
Noise and Privacy
- How close are the neighbors?
- Can you hear noises from the street, nearby freeways, or the neighborhood?
Outdoor Space
- What would maintenance of the outdoor spaces require?
Storage and Functionality
- Is there room for cars, bikes, outdoor equipment, etc?
- Are there enough closets and cabinets?
Neighborhood Feel
- Visit the neighborhood during the day AND at night. Does it feel safe?
- What kind of people do you see walking around?
- Can you see yourself and your family enjoying the neighborhood?
Do you see any red flags?
This is the part most buyers do not think about during their first walkthrough, but noticing major red flags during the tour could save you loads of time and emotional energy that come with finding deal-breaking issues later on. If you love the home but notice a few potential issues in the home tour, you can still move forward with an offer, but you'll want to make sure you include an inspection contingency, which allows you to back out of the contract due to home condition discoveries.
This is the part most buyers do not think about during their first walkthrough, but noticing major red flags during the tour could save you loads of time and emotional energy that come with finding deal-breaking issues later on. Here are some clues to look for that could indicate expensive problems.
The Roof and Exterior
Roofs are one of the most expensive home projects. A few signs of an old or damaged roof are moss buildup, clogged gutters, and damaged shingles.
Take a look at the siding of the house, especially around windows. Is the paint peeling? Are there green or black stains (moss or mildew)? Is any of the siding cracking or breaking?
Why this matters: Roofs are expensive everywhere, but in Portland's rainy climate, moisture and moss wear them down even faster.
What to do: Ask the listing agent or seller hosting the showing about the condition and age of the roof. Most roofs in Portland need to be replaced every 15-30 years. If you see signs of roof damage or age, take a note for yourself to get a roof inspection if you make an offer that gets accepted. If the siding looks worn or damaged, ask if it has ever been replaced or repaired, or if there's any history of damage to it.
Basement, Closets, & Crawlspace
Take a whiff. Smell anything musty or damp? Look at the ceilings. See any discoloration, visible mold, or powdery white substance? These can be a pretty big red flags indicating mold issues.
In general, if there are any overpowering air freshener smells, they may be masking moldy odors.
Why this matters: Waterproofing basements wasn't always standard. If there's moisture around, there could be structural damage or expensive remediation necessary.
What to do: This doesn't necessarily have to be a dealbreaker. You can order a thorough inspection after you make an offer to assess how serious it is. But, if you're looking for a move-in-ready house, you may want to walk away or at least plan to ask the seller to pay for remediation.
