Beyond Listing Photos: What to Look for During Your Home Search

When searching for a home, it’s easy to be captivated by high-quality listing photos. Professional photography and virtual staging are designed to highlight a property's best features - but they don’t always tell the full story. To make a confident and informed decision, buyers should take a deeper look both online and in person.

ONLINE

In today's digital world, buyers have access to more information than ever before. Before stepping foot in a home, take advantage of online tools to gain valuable insights about homes and their neighborhoods.  

Study the Listing Details: The listing description and property details provide key context and help you filter out homes that don't meet your criteria. Virtual tours and floor plans (when available) are invaluable for evaluating a property online, giving you a better feel for the home’s true size, layout, and whether it will suit your lifestyle.  

Property Age & Updates: Older homes are filled with character, but may also require additional maintenance or updates if it’s been deferred over the years. Look for homes that have been well cared for, even if they need cosmetic updates - we lovingly refer to these as "grandma’s home," known for their solid maintenance history and dated appearance.  

Days on market: A home that has been on the market for 60+ days is almost always  overpriced, and there’s a chance the home could have underlying issues. This is where it’s important to tap your agent to dig into the details. 

Research the Neighborhood & Schools: Tools like Google Maps (“walk” through the area using Street View!), Oregon Dept of Education Report Cards, and Portland Police Bureau monthly crime reports, and PortlandMaps.com (Portland's site for zoning, permits, etc) are great places to start for evaluating whether or not a particular location will meet your needs.

IN-PERSON

Once you’ve identified a promising property, an in-person visit is essential to assess its true condition and livability. During a tour, focus on elements that may not have been apparent in the online listing.  

First Impressions & Curb Appeal

A home’s exterior and surroundings first impression can often reveal a lot about its overall maintenance, potential upkeep requirements, and overall homebuyer satisfaction. Pay close attention to:

Your Drive In: Did anything (positive or negative) stand out on your way to the home? Make note of the street, traffic, sidewalks (if important) and other neighborhood conditions.

Your Initial Reaction: When you pulled into the driveway and saw the home for the first time, did you feel excited, neutral, or disappointed?

Landscaping & Exterior Condition: Does the home have an inviting entrance? Are the lawn and garden maintained, or is there overgrown vegetation and debris? Does the home look fresh and cared for, or does it need obvious repairs?

Smells, Sounds & Sights

While touring a property, tap into all of your senses!

Smell: Sniff out any unusual odors. Musty smells could suggest mold or water damage, while strong air fresheners may be masking underlying issues. Bad smells can be major deterrents for many buyers but are often relatively simple fixes.  

Sound: Take a listen for nearby traffic, barking dogs, or other disruptive sounds that could affect your daily comfort. 

Sight: Observe how both natural and artificial light fills the spaces and whether each room has sufficient lighting.

Feel: Many home buyers report they get a special *feeling* when they’re found the right home. Listen to your instincts!

Structural Elements

The home’s core structural elements will impact both your safety and long-term maintenance costs. While a home inspection will reveal many potential issues, pay close attention to these three structural items:

Foundation & Flooring: Look for cracks, sloping floors, or uneven surfaces, which could indicate structural concerns.  

Plumbing & Water Pressure: Run faucets and flush toilets to assess water flow and drainage.  

Roof & Siding Condition: Missing shingles, peeling paint, or signs of water damage could indicate costly future repairs.  

Beautiful listing photos can certainly draw your attention, but a thorough evaluation, both online and in person, is key to making a smart home-buying decision. By going beyond surface-level appeal, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of a property's condition, functionality, and suitability for your lifestyle. If you’re ready to begin your home search with expert guidance, our team is here to help! Reach out today or get started on your online home search now.