What to Look for When Touring a Home

Touring homes can be exciting — and also overwhelming. After years of walking buyers through open houses in the Charleston areas and Mount Pleasant, I’ve seen how easy it is for buyers to get distracted or miss important details. That’s why I wanted to share a few tips on what to focus on when you’re visiting homes, so you can stay organized, clear-headed, and confident about your decision.

Start with the Big Picture

Location is the one thing you can’t change about a home. As you tour, ask yourself:

Is this neighborhood one you feel comfortable in?
Is it convenient to your commute, shopping, or schools?
Does it offer amenities like a pool, playground, or trails?
How close is it to Charleston favorites like the beach, parks, or restaurants?

Your home should fit your lifestyle — because at the end of the day, loving where you live matters.

Look Beyond the Staging (or Lack of It)

Whether a home is beautifully furnished, cluttered with personal belongings, or completely vacant, it’s important to look past the distractions.

Staged homes may pull your eye toward décor instead of layout.
Vacant homes can make it hard to picture your furniture in the space.

This is where I love bringing my interior design background into play — I can help you visualize what a space could look like and how to make it your own.

Room-by-Room Checklist

When you’re inside the home, here are some areas to focus on:

Living Room:

Size, ceiling height, windows, and lighting.
Flooring condition.
Fireplaces or built-ins.

Dining Room:

Flooring, lighting fixtures, and natural light.
Flow to the kitchen.

Kitchen:

Layout and functionality.
Appliances: refrigerator, oven, cooktop, sink, and faucet.
Countertop material and lighting.
Room for seating (island, bar stools, eat-in area).

Bedrooms & Bathrooms:

Closet space.
Tile, faucets, and finishes.
Layout and privacy.

Outdoor Space:

Decks, patios, or porches.
Landscaping and views.
Neighborhood features nearby.

Stay Organized as You Tour

If you’re visiting several homes in one day, it’s easy to mix them up — “Which one had the big kitchen? Which one had the two-car garage?” That’s why I provide my clients with a system and checklist so they can compare homes easily and stay focused on what really matters.

Final Thoughts

Remember, touring homes isn’t just about what you see in the moment — it’s about imagining how you’ll live there. You can always change flooring, countertops, or paint colors. What you can’t change is the location.

Your home is your sanctuary — it should feel good to come home to every day. And my goal is to help you not just find the right house, but to make it your home. Because there really is joy in loving where you live.

This post is part of my Coffee & Conversations series — where real estate, design, and everyday life come together to help you love where you live.

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