Home Buying in Ottawa – Buyers Use Their Senses

Posted on April 2, 2010 
Filed Under Buying Your New Home, Listing and Selling Your Home, Valerie Zinger

Most Buyers start out thinking that they are going to “see” several homes before making a purchasing decision.  In fact, we all use our 5 senses.  As Buyers walk through a home the senses are alert and, over time, trained to notice things.

Sight – It seems to be all about the way a house looks, colours, furniture placement, order of the rooms, size of the rooms, etc.  While primary, the other senses should be kicking into alert.

Hearing- Can the Buyer hear the furnace clunks every time it kicks in or that the pipes rattle when the taps are turned?  Is the house on a flight path or near a transit way?  Noise can be all around the house.

Taste – While a seemingly unimportant sense when buying a house, if this is a rural or cottage property, the taste of the water is important.  

Touch - Every Buyer touches things in the house.  Is the counter smooth?  What does the floor feel like?  Is there a slope? Is the hot water tank too hot?  What fabric has been used in the window treatments?  Buyers cannot keep their hands (and feet) to themselves.   

Finally, Smell - Fridges will be opened, garbage cans may be full and food may be cooking in the oven.  Sometimes cats and other pets leave a very strong smell that the Seller no longer notices but that will put off a Buyer. 

Often Buyers will describe a house they have seen be the smell or sound and not by other features.  Be aware of everything that can assault the senses – good and bad.

Photo credit:  A glass of water @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/gromgull/4258976764/

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