A first visit to a home is mostly about feelings: the light, the layout, whether you can picture yourself there. A second visit is where buyers slow down and look harder. This checklist suggests what to focus on the second time around. It is general information from Joviland, an independent guide; it does not replace a professional home inspection or advice from a licensed professional.
Go at a different time
If your first visit was on a weekday morning, try an evening or weekend. You will get a different sense of traffic, noise, parking and how the sun moves across the rooms and yard. In Florida, afternoon light and heat on a west-facing room or lanai can make a real difference to comfort.
Bring a few tools
- A tape measure for furniture you plan to keep.
- Your phone for photos and notes, room by room.
- A small flashlight for closets, cabinets and under sinks.
- Your list of questions from the first visit.
What to look at more closely
Inside
- Stains on ceilings or around windows that could suggest past leaks.
- How doors and windows open, close and lock.
- Water pressure and how long hot water takes to arrive.
- Storage: closets, garage space, room for a workshop or hobby.
- The age and condition of major systems, as far as the seller can tell you.
Outside
- Roof edges, gutters and drainage away from the foundation.
- Trees close to the house or overhanging the roof.
- Fences, sheds and anything else that may or may not convey with the sale.
- Storm protection such as shutters; see Getting a Home Hurricane-Ready.
The surroundings
Drive the route to the places you go most. Walk the street. Check the parcel on the Citrus County Property Appraiser's online maps and look up the address on FEMA flood maps, which show how likely an area is to flood. Our Flood Zones, Explained guide covers the basics.
Questions to ask
- What has been repaired or replaced, and are there records?
- Are there any known issues the seller is required to disclose?
- What is included in the sale?
- Is there a homeowners association, and what rules apply?
After the visit
Compare notes with everyone who will live there while it is fresh. If you decide to move forward, our buying guide explains offers and contingencies, and Home Inspections, Explained covers the next step.