Why Buyers Should Check the Condition of Decks and Outdoor Stairs

A deck can make a backyard feel like an extension of the house. Outdoor stairs can connect a porch to the lawn or provide access to an upper-level entrance. These features are easy to admire during a showing, especially when they are freshly stained or surrounded by attractive landscaping. But decks and exterior stairs are exposed to weather and repeated use, so their condition deserves more than a quick glance. Look Beyond the Surface Deck boards are the most visible part of a structure, but the supports underneath are just as important. Posts, beams, joists, fasteners, and connections all help…
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Why Buyers Should Look at Where the Thermostat Is Located

The thermostat is one of those household features buyers can walk past several times without giving it much thought. If the temperature feels comfortable during the showing, there may seem to be little reason to investigate further. But where a thermostat is located can influence what it senses about the temperature inside the home. Find It Before You LeaveDuring your tour, locate the thermostat rather than simply checking the temperature displayed on it.Is it in a central hallway? Near the kitchen? Close to an exterior door? Is sunlight hitting the wall where it is mounted? The thermostat responds to conditions…
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Why Buyers Should Try Walking From Every Bedroom to the Bathroom at Night

Buyers usually tour homes with the lights on, doors open, and every room ready to be seen. That makes sense for a showing, but it does not necessarily reveal how the layout will function when the house is dark and everyone is asleep. One surprisingly useful way to evaluate a floor plan is to imagine walking from each bedroom to a bathroom in the middle of the night. Count the Turns and ObstaclesStart with the bedrooms.Is the bathroom directly across the hall, or does reaching it require navigating stairs, corners, or several doorways? Would someone need to cross an open…
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