The Door Test: Which Doors Cannot Be Open at the Same Time?

Doors seem like one of the simplest parts of a house. They open, they close, and buyers rarely give them another thought. But when several doors occupy a small area, the way they swing can create awkward little conflicts that may not become obvious until after you move in. Open the Doors TogetherDuring a showing, look for areas where multiple doors are located close together. Bathrooms, closets, laundry rooms, pantries, garages, and small hallways are particularly useful places to check. Open neighboring doors and see what happens. Does the bathroom door block the linen closet? Does a bedroom door collide…
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Why You Should Look at Where the Outdoor Trash Has to Travel

Taking out the trash is probably not on your homebuying checklist. Yet it is one of those ordinary chores you may repeat hundreds of times after moving in. During a showing, take a moment to figure out where outdoor trash and recycling containers would be stored and how they would get from that location to the collection point.Find the Storage SpotStart by identifying where the containers would realistically live. Some homes have an obvious space beside the garage. Others may require containers to be stored behind a gate, inside the garage, along a narrow side yard, or somewhere less convenient.…
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The Shower Test: What Happens When You Turn On a Second Faucet?

Most buyers know to turn on faucets during a home tour. They check whether water flows, glance underneath sinks, and may test the shower. But a home rarely operates with only one plumbing fixture running at a time. A more revealing question is what happens when water is being used in two places at once. Test More Than One FixtureIf appropriate during your evaluation of the property, try running water at one fixture while another is already operating.For example, what happens at the shower when a nearby sink is turned on? Does the flow appear noticeably different?The goal is not…
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