Weekends in Real Estate: Be Ready Before You Ask to See the House

Real estate doesn't run Monday through Friday. Some of the best opportunities happen after hours and on weekends, and showing homes should be an enjoyable part of being a REALTOR®. Most good agents don't mind giving up part of a weekend for a serious buyer. But there should be respect for that time on both sides.

Buyers: be ready before you start touring

First, be financially prepared. If financing is involved, have a current preapproval from a reputable lender. Know roughly what you can afford, the payment range you're comfortable with, and how much cash you'll need.

More importantly, be mentally prepared to buy. If the home meets your family's needs, be ready to have a serious conversation about an offer. Touring homes shouldn't be weekend entertainment.

Use the internet before you use your agent's time

Before requesting a showing, research the neighborhood, schools, taxes, commute, property history, amenities, comparable listings, photos, room sizes and lot size. You can eliminate many homes before ever walking through the door.

By the time you visit, you're confirming what the internet can't answer: Does the floor plan work? How does the home feel? What's the quality of the finishes? Are there visible signs of foundation movement, plumbing concerns, water damage or roof issues?

Your agent should be prepared too

When a buyer says, "I'm seriously interested in this house," the agent should review comparable sales, listing history, days on market, price changes and neighborhood activity — especially if an offer is coming.

A new listing and a 30-day listing are different conversations

On a desirable home that's been on the market a couple of days, an extreme lowball offer may not accomplish much. A home that has sat for 30 days or more may leave more room to negotiate, depending on condition, comps, seller motivation and price history. Price should be based on information and strategy — not on seeing how low the seller will go.

Respect goes both ways

A REALTOR® should respect a buyer's time, finances and goals. Buyers should remember that agents have families and lives outside real estate. Be preapproved. Do your research. Know your budget. And if the house meets your requirements, be ready to make a legitimate, reasonable offer.

When you're ready to close, People's Title is ready too

An accepted offer is only the beginning. A title search helps identify ownership issues, liens or defects affecting the property, and title insurance protects against certain covered title risks that can arise after closing. Protecting your ownership should be part of the process — not an afterthought.

Your REALTOR® helps you find it. Your lender helps you finance it. People's Title is ready to help you close it and protect your ownership.