We are looking to purchase a home. What are some of the specific things we should be watching for.. Are there certain "major" things that are easily hidden that we should be aware of? Thanks in advance

My suggestion is that before finally buying,if possible you must actually stay there for a few days(a week) and then decide.It may seem weird but it sure is a very important method to finally decide.

Hmm that is something to consider..something I hadn't thought of. I wonder if people do that often? I know a lot of the houses I have looked at don't have the utilities hooked up either so that wouldn't be possible there but maybe for FSBO houses? thanks for the advice!

sanju123 wrote: My suggestion is that before finally buying,if possible you must actually stay there for a few days(a week) and then decide.It may seem weird but it sure is a very important method to finally decide.

Hi, let me see if I get this straight.... you say I should actually stay in the house that I want to buy a few days...? Like a test drive? You are talking about a free from owners house , no? I had made an image of me asking someone: "Hey ....I want to buy your house..... can I please stay with you so I could test it? See if I fit in, you know?"

Anyway I understand what you said, tho was funny for me :P

Test driving a car is possible but I don't think to applies to property :)

Even without actual staying, we can do due dilligence by talking to the neighbours, walking through the neighbourhood and rely on online and offline resources.

I think this is not going to be an option for us so I'm wondering if any of you have any other suggestions? Thanks for all your input!

Scope out the property inside and out if you are using a realtor they will arrange it with the owner, go a few times at different times of the day to see how the neighborhood is and what kind of people reside their, i.e family like, singles, couples, mixed etc. people selling homes will not let you stay in them for a test drive.  not going to happen.

bullysheful wrote: sanju123 wrote: My suggestion is that before finally buying,if possible you must actually stay there for a few days(a week) and then decide.It may seem weird but it sure is a very important method to finally decide. Hi, let me see if I get this straight.... you say I should actually stay in the house that I want to buy a few days...? Like a test drive? You are talking about a free from owners house , no? I had made an image of me asking someone: "Hey ....I want to buy your house..... can I please stay with you so I could test it? See if I fit in, you know?" Anyway I understand what you said, tho was funny for me :P

What I mean is that if it is possible to actually stay there for a while.It does seem weird but probably the best method.In case there is no one living in the property then it is very much possible.Man,you are taking one of the most important decision of your life,why not go a little step further to ensure the best.

You'll find this amazingly weird.. or at least I did. I called a few potentials today and this one guy proceeds to tell me how they will be out of town next weekend if I would like to come stay over night to get a "feel for the house" LOL I thought that was wacko because prior to this post I"d never have thought  it ...

sanju123 wrote: bullysheful wrote: sanju123 wrote: Mysuggestion is that before finally buying,if possible you must actuallystay there for a few days(a week) and then decide.It may seem weird butit sure is a very important method to finally decide. Hi,let me see if I get this straight.... you say I should actually stay inthe house that I want to buy a few days...? Like a test drive? You aretalking about a free from owners house , no? I had made an image of measking someone: "Hey ....I want to buy your house..... can I pleasestay with you so I could test it? See if I fit in, you know?" Anyway I understand what you said, tho was funny for me :P WhatI mean is that if it is possible to actually stay there for a while.Itdoes seem weird but probably the best method.In case there is no oneliving in the property then it is very much possible.Man,you are takingone of the most important decision of your life,why not go a littlestep further to ensure the best.

I totally agree with you. What I'm saying is that how in the world willsomeone let you stay in their house for a few days to see how it's like...?
And then I saw cassiem's post.... Man, it's that for real? I cannot belive that. Then again it's all about the country you live in...in mine there's no way somewone will let you stay ...an hour in their house without them beeing right behind you..... And that is sad.... There is no trust among us...

That is funny. I live in the US and I don't think anyone would allow that but I guess some people are willing. I just don't think that most sellers would think that should be a good thing...