Home Buyer’s Checklist: Touring Homes Like a Pro

Home Buyer’s Checklist: Touring Homes Like a Pro

March 31, 2025
devinlucas

Once you’ve combed through online listings and narrowed down the options with your agent, it’s time for one of the most exciting (and critical) parts of the buying journey — touring homes in person. Whether you’re searching in Newport Beach, Eastside Costa Mesa, Corona del Mar, or elsewhere in coastal Orange County, this is your opportunity to truly assess if a home is the right fit — beyond what photos and online descriptions can show.

As a top-ranked team with Coldwell Banker Newport Beach, Lucas Real Estate Group has guided hundreds of buyers through this exact process. Here’s our expert checklist to help you tour homes like a pro.

Before the Tour: Lay the Groundwork

Before you ever step foot inside a home:

Clarify your goals and budget. Are you buying your forever home, a vacation property, or planning for future family growth?
Secure a preapproval letter. Especially in competitive markets like Newport Heights, Dover Shores, or Lido Isle, being ready to move quickly is key.
Do your homework. Review property taxes, zoning, lot size, and disclosures. Your agent should be checking for red flags ahead of time — we certainly do.
Take a second look at the online listing. Jot down any questions or concerns you want to address in person — things like deferred maintenance, additions, or unusual floor plans.

Touring Toolkit: Be Ready to Take Notes

Bring a notebook or use your phone to record thoughts, photos, or videos — it’s easy to confuse details when you’ve seen multiple homes in one day.
A flashlight is useful for checking attics, crawl spaces, or garages.
Bonus tip: Don’t tour alone — bring your trusted real estate advisor (we’ve got a few on our team!) to spot details you might miss.

First Impressions Matter: Exterior and Curb Appeal

Your evaluation begins the second you pull up to the property:

Is the roof in good condition?
Are there visible cracks in the driveway or foundation?
Are gutters clean and intact?
How does the yard look? Drought-tolerant? Overgrown?

Especially in neighborhoods like Westcliff or Bayshores, where homes can be decades old but beautifully updated, the exterior can offer important clues about overall maintenance.

Inside the Home: Room-by-Room Inspection

It’s easy to get wowed by staging and finishes, but remember to focus on what’s hard to change or expensive to fix:

Kitchen and Baths: Test faucets for water pressure and drainage. Do appliances look dated or well-maintained?
Bedrooms and Closets: Think about scale. Will your furniture fit? Is there ample storage?
Floors and Walls: Uneven surfaces, stains, or cracks may hint at foundation issues — we know what to look for.
Basements and Attics: Rare in this area, but where they exist (especially in older homes), check for moisture or mold.

We often accompany our clients on tours to provide a second set of eyes — with a legal and investment mindset.

Use All Your Senses

Some of the best clues come from simply being present in the space:

Sight: Are any recent repairs concealing deeper issues?
Sound: Is it quiet, or do you hear planes, traffic, or barking dogs?
Smell: Watch for mildew, pet odors, or heavy air fresheners (which can hide other smells).
Touch: Test windows, doors, light switches — do they work? Do they feel cheap or sturdy?

After the Tour: Look at the Big Picture

Once you’ve walked through, take a moment to reflect:

Does the home feel like it fits your current and future needs?
Do you need more outdoor space, an office, or a first-floor bedroom?
Is the layout functional, or would renovations be required?
Visit the neighborhood at different times of day — especially in vibrant areas like the Newport Peninsula or Mesa Del Mar, where noise and traffic ebb and flow.

And most importantly — talk to your agent. We’ll give you honest feedback, comparative insight, and strategic guidance on how this home stacks up to others — especially if you’re juggling multiple options.

Bonus Tip: Work with the Right Team

At Lucas Real Estate Group, we’re not just showing you homes — we’re protecting your interests every step of the way. Whether you’re buying as a trustee, investor, local family, or high-profile client needing confidentiality, we bring legal, tax, and real estate expertise to the table.

From Proposition 19 planning to off-market opportunities, we help you navigate every detail — in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and all of Coastal Orange County.

Let’s tour with confidence.
📞 Call us at (949) 478-1623 or 📧 email [email protected] to get started.

Questions or Need Help?

Thinking of buying or selling California real estate, or property management needs, we would love the opportunity to assist – we provide full service sales and property management in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and surrounding areas. If you are seeking to sell or professionally manage your home in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa or the surrounding areas, call or email anytime for a free brief consultation – [email protected] or 949-478-1623.

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– Devin Lucas

Author Devin R. Lucas is a Real Estate Broker, REALTOR® and Real Estate Attorney specializing in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Orange County coastal communities. Courtney Lucas, a licensed CPA, Real Estate Salesperson, and REALTOR®, provides expert financial insight alongside real estate services. Together, they lead Lucas Real Estate, operating in conjunction with Coldwell Banker, the region’s premier luxury brokerage.

Lucas Real Estate offers unmatched expertise in California real estate sales, property management, capital gains strategies, and property tax matters, including Propositions 13, 58, 193, 60, 90, and new Proposition 19.

📞 Contact Us:
✉️ [email protected] | 📞 949.478.1623

If you’re selling a property, seeking REALTOR® services, or exploring a traditional commission-based home sale or purchase, or property management services, we’re here to help – free of charge. Call us anytime at (949-478-1623) or email [email protected] for your complimentary consultation and market evaluation.

For discussions requiring real estate legal advice, private family sales, family transfers, or tax-related matters, please schedule a paid one-hour consultation via Zoom, phone, or in person using this calendar (Book a consultation here.) Upon booking, you’ll receive instant confirmation and a Zoom link if applicable.

Contact our office to discuss buying, selling, or property management.

Lucas Real Estate is a full-service brokerage offering residential real estate, legal services, and strategic tax planning—all under one roof.

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The content on this blog is for informational purposes only. Nothing on this blog should be construed to be legal advice, and you should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content on this blog without seeking appropriate legal advice regarding your particular situation, from an attorney licensed to practice law in your state. The content on this blog is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date. Devin R. Lucas’ office is in Newport Beach, California and is only licensed to practice law in California. Please be advised that Devin R. Lucas only provides legal services or advice pursuant to a written legal services agreement. The content on this blog is not intended to, and does not, create an attorney-client relationship between you and Devin R. Lucas, nor does our receipt of an email or other communication from you. Some jurisdictions may consider this site to constitute attorney advertising; accordingly, please be advised this is an advertisement.

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