Finding and touring homes.

Buyer journey · Step 2 · November 6, 2026

How do you turn a wishlist into a needs list?

Write down the three things you will not compromise on, then the stretch items you would love but can live without. That filter protects you from falling in love with a home that fails the real test: livability. I tell buyers to separate the must-haves that affect how you live every day, like bedrooms, layout, and commute, from the nice-to-haves that staging and photos make look essential. Needs survive a Tuesday; wishlist items rarely do.

How do you keep the search inside your budget?

The pre-approval number is your ceiling, and your comfortable payment is the real budget. When you search, include the full monthly picture: property tax, insurance, HOA dues, and utilities, because two homes at the same price can carry very different monthly costs, especially across the Oregon and Idaho line. Search inside the number you can live with, and let your agent know the ceiling so no one wastes your afternoon on a home outside it.

What is touring etiquette at a showing?

Treat the home like someone else's until it is yours. Remove shoes when asked, keep children supervised, and do not open closed doors or cabinets you do not need to see. Respect the showing window: arrive on time and leave on time, because the next showing may be minutes behind yours. And when the owners are present, be gracious and save the blunt commentary for the car. A small courtesy goes a long way in a competitive market.

What questions should you ask at a showing?

Ask about the things a photo cannot tell you: how old are the roof, furnace, and water heater? Has the home had any water intrusion? What are the property taxes and HOA dues, and what does the HOA cover? How long have the owners lived here and why are they moving? In Idaho, ask about the water source and any canal or well rights on the property. In Oregon, ask about flood history near creeks and rivers. Write the answers down on your comparison sheet before you forget them.

How do you compare the homes you tour?

Use one comparison sheet for every property: condition, updates, storage, yard, light, and noise. Score each home against your needs list, not against the last home you saw. After a few showings, the sheet tells you which home wins on the things you actually wrote down, and that is the home worth an offer. Photos flatter and memory fades; notes do not.