Everything you need to know about booking a home tour.

Step 1: Are you ready to tour?

Before you start hopping around different homes, it’s important to consider whether you’re ready to tour. If you’re just beginning your property search, it might be better to begin with virtual tours (look for the “V TOUR” tag on REW’s listings) and open houses.

Open houses let you scope out what properties are generally like in the areas you’re interested in. Anyone is welcome to drop into open houses and sellers know that. “Even if you’re not ready to buy in ten years,” says Oakwyn Realty agent Chris Strand. After all, Chris knows touring; as he says, “I’m a serial mover. [I’ve moved] at least once a year in thirteen years living in Vancouver.”

Why should I have a buyer’s agent?

“You should have [an agent] on hand in case you find the perfect place,” says Chris. Looking at properties might mean finding your dream home. In that scenario, it’s best to have an agent to help. Chris has seen exactly that happen before with a client.

Even if you’re sure you won’t stumble upon the perfect place, an agent makes the entire touring process easier. Buying a home can be a stressful and emotional process, and having someone there every step of the way will be invaluable. A buyer’s agent helps you sort through properties, make better choices based on your needs and can handle unexpected events thanks to their years of experience. And, legally speaking, the listing agent for a property can’t go through the buying process with you. They must refer you to a buyer’s agent anyway. So, why not start early?

Plus, “You want to know what you’re able to shop for,” Chris says. Why bother touring $5 million detached homes if you can only afford $800,000 condos? Working with your agent to get a mortgage pre-approval helps whittle down your touring options. In Chris’s client’s case, she didn’t have financing and hadn’t started selling her old place, so she lost her dream home.

But if you have pre-approval, a collection of properties that interest you and a list of must-haves and must-nots, then you’re definitely ready. Getting in touch with an agent to book tours now makes sense.

And remember, booking tours doesn’t mean you’re committed to anything. Your buyer’s agent won’t be paid until you purchase a place, and touring doesn’t require signing contracts in BC.

Step 2: Booking the tour.

Before you select a few homes to book, look at floor plans and layouts. Take into account the size of your family and your needs. This will help you decide what places to see.

Once that’s done, you can book a tour on an REW listing page. We’ll ask if you have an agent yet. If you do, select that option and search for their name to send them your request directly.

If you don’t have an agent yet, no worries. We’ll link you with one who can show you the property you’re interested in. Here’s what happens:

1. Select your preferred times and dates to tour and enter basic details about yourself, including when you think you might purchase a home and whether you’re a first-time Homeseeker.
2. We’ll contact our partner agents about the property you want to tour and send you a confirmation email and text message.
3. Once we find the right partner agent, you’ll get another text message with their name and confirmation.
4. The agent will get in touch with you via email, text message or phone call to finalize the details of the tour.

What if I can’t make the home tour dates I selected?

While it’s best to book touring times you can surely attend, don’t fret if your plans change. Let your agent know as soon as possible so they can reschedule with the property owner and listing agent.

Keep in mind there’s a limit on how many homes you can tour in one day. Chris expects most people can tackle two to four in one day, depending on how far apart they are and the property’s size.

Chris usually books around 30 minutes for each home, but the time spent at any property varies. Large, detached houses could use the entire time, because you’ll examine the inside and the grounds, while one-bedroom condos might take five minutes.

Once you have your tour homes, dates and times confirmed, you can prepare for what’s next.

Step 3: The pre-tour.

Now to prepare for the actual tour. If you haven’t talked to your agent about working with a bank or a lender yet, this is a good time to do so. Draft your must-have, must-not and nice-to-have lists now, too. That way, you can head into homes with your goals in mind.

You can also prepare by looking at property details online. These could include the date a home was built, what school district it’s in and more. Look at photos and see if there’s anything that you want to examine in person, too.

If you’re not familiar with it, check out the neighbourhood a home is in before you tour it. You can even consider driving or taking public transport there to understand how accessible it is. Once you’re there, take in the sights, sounds and neighbourhood amenities. You’ll be spending most of your days here if you move in, so the area should suit your needs. Is there a grocery store nearby? How long does it take for the kids to get to school? Those sorts of questions are worth asking yourself.

Step 4: The tour.

Here’s what to expect inside during a tour. First, you’ll probably have to remove your shoes. It helps prevent properties from getting dirty. Keep in mind, this is someone’s home; treat it with respect.

You’ll be taken through the home by your agent, the listing agent and the seller, if they want to be there. This is your chance to absorb the home and assess your emotions. How does it feel to be here? Can you picture yourself living here? Ponder these questions honestly. Write down your thoughts and take photos for reference. Label everything with the home’s address.

While you should note major issues, like large cracks or missing floorboards, this isn’t the time to do a thorough home inspection. That comes later. For now, Chris recommends you get an overall impression of the home.

But do ask basic questions of the listing agent and seller. For instance, if you’re touring a condo, ask how active the strata council is, how well-kept the building is and if any major renovations were done. Ask how the neighbours are and if there’s anything not in the strata documents you should know.

There are some things you shouldn’t do either. According to Chris, don’t exclaim a property is “the one true perfect home for you; it’s this or nothing.” If you love it and make an offer, the listing agent and seller will know during negotiations. “I recently had a lovely buyer of mine do that, I had to reel her in a little bit,” recalls Chris. Similarly, if you hated the place, that’s fine, but real estate is based on relationships; you don’t want to upset anyone.

This also explains why your agent may seem unusually positive. Don’t worry, you’ll debrief once the tour ends to discuss your real feelings. That’s when you can let them know if you liked the property, and they can cover things you might have missed.

Step 5: The post-tour.

After the tour ends, expect to talk with your agent about the home itself and your next steps. Take time to absorb what you saw and refer back to your must-have, nice-to-have and must-not lists to see how the home fits your needs.

You’ll cover your likes and dislikes together. “People are usually better at saying what they don’t want than what they do want,” says Chris. Don’t be afraid to voice your opinions. This will help your agent understand your needs and better curate a list of other homes to consider.

Pinpointing what you disliked in a home is helpful. For instance, did you realize you're afraid of heights in a highrise? Let your agent know. Also, consider whether you took issue with the property itself or the people who showed it to you. Likewise, don’t be totally put off by easily altered items, including paint or wallpaper.

At the same time, don’t get stuck on demanding your home be in a certain neighbourhood. “I love showing buyers neighbourhoods and areas similar to the one they want,” Chris says.

But if you truly loved the home, now you can let your agent know. As Chris explains, “You’re finding properties you love, what do we need to get you there?” Be prepared to start the offer process together in earnest.

Can I switch agents?

While there’s no obligation to use the same agent helping you tour homes for your entire Homeseeker journey, this keeps consistency and builds a working relationship. Still, “If you're not vibing with some, then you absolutely have the right to change,” Chris says. Don’t switch for the sake of switching, though. As Chris explains, “It’s kinda like dating, really.”

To pick the best person, ask your touring agent questions, including how much experience they have and how familiar they are with areas you’re interested in. Inform them of your place in the buying process, whether that’s getting started or ready to buy.

Home tours can be a fun part of the Homeseeker’s journey, giving you the chance to see inside your preferred properties. With preparation and by working with a buyer’s agent, a tour is a great way to determine if a house is right for you. After all, you never know what’s out there.