Organizing and setting up homes to show is a process.  Ten years ago that process began by looking up addresses and marking them on the correct “map book” page.  Thinking back to those days, I am so thankful I never wrecked my car while driving and balancing that huge map book in one hand trying to get to our next address!  Today’s process is much the same, however technology speeds up the steps a tad.  Here’s the step by step process I go through:

• Make a list of the homes we’re going to see; either homes you’ve selected, I’ve found or a combination of both.  Research the homes we’ve selected and print out the listing information.

• Plot all the homes on an area map and determine the most efficient order we should see them in.

• Assign each home a “showing window” (this step takes a little finesse).  Sellers want you to give a one hour (some are okay with two) window of when you may show up at their home (completely understandable).  Many factors need to be considered; drive time to each home, allocating extra time for homes you really love and want to stay longer, homes you don’t even want to get of the car to go see, lunch breaks, etc.  With proper planning the day usually goes off without a hitch.

• Schedule the showings online or by calling the listing office.  Get lock box codes and showing instructions after my agent information has been confirmed.

• Plug in all the addresses to my navigation system (thank goodness…no more balancing acts with the map book!).

• Meet with you to see all the homes we’ve set appointments for.  I’ll drive us from house to house (with both hands on the wheel) educating you about the home buying process, points of interest and the housing market for the immediate area.

• At the end of our day, I field calls and e-mails from the listing agents asking for feedback about the listing of theirs we just saw.

• Of course, if we saw a home you want to make an offer on…that’s a whole other process in itself!

Researching homes on the internet is great, but until you’re up close and personal with that home…it’s hard to know what you’re really getting.  Photos and descriptions can be deceiving…nothing can take the place of seeing the home in person.  Looking at homes is always an adventure (yes, I have stories to tell!) and can be the most fun of the home buying process.  Because of today’s technology I’m not driving, talking to you and glancing down at a map book…it can be the safest too!

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