Keeping Track of the Home Listings You Visit

After you’ve visited more than two or three listed homes, you may be concerned how you will keep track of all the homes you see.

Was it the brick house with the trees in front that had three full bathrooms or the brick house on the corner lot?

Which street did your spouse think was too noisy and had too much traffic?

I understand. There is a lot to remember when you’re walking through many rooms. You may be really drawn to something specific at a certain home and, naturally, this may stick out when you’re thinking back on all you’ve seen and experienced. But what happens when you have two close contenders and your memory is a bit fuzzy? This is where having a simple system to track the homes you’ve seen will make all the difference.

Organizational Tips

There are a variety of ways to track this type of information. Read through these options and choose the one that works best for you.

Showing Sheets

As your agent, I give my clients a showing sheet for each home we visit. This gives you a document to refer back to for the specs on the home. You can jot a note to yourself on this sheet, too. My team keeps detailed notes for each client, so I know which homes you’ve seen and which upcoming listings may match your interests.

Lovin’ Homes on my Website

When you visit my website, you’ll know beside each home listing is a heart icon named “Save.” Click this icon for each home you love and want to keep track of.

Rely on HAR

HAR (The Houston Association of REALTORS®) is what we use as our MLS (multi-listing service). This website is the hub for finding (and tracking) the homes for sale near you and across many areas. When you visit www.HAR.com you can sign up for a free account then simply click the heart on the homes you love or click a thumbs down for those you’d like to pass on. This website is a handy place to keep track of all of your “favorites” and those that are “possibilities.” When looking for homes, I will also set up clients on a portal search where homes that match your desired criteria are shared with you and where homes can be favorited, and notes can be taken.

Reach for Your Phone

In this age of technology where the majority of people rely heavily on their phones, this device can be a good tool for tracking homes. Use your phone to take photos or short videos as you walk around the property. Use the audio recording feature to “talk” through things you see and like about the home. Making short videos is helpful if your spouse can’t join you on the appointment so they can watch later and get a sense of the home. Before taking pictures or recording, be sure to check with your agent first, as all sellers are different, and some may prefer that videos of their home are not taken.

Use a Checklist or Spreadsheet

Open a Word doc or Excel spreadsheet and use one of these options to track what you like and which homes meet what’s on your “must-have” list. You can customize the checklist to include things that are priorities for each member in your family. For instance, if you desire a short commute, you could note the mileage distance to the places you frequently visit. You could include which schools are nearby.

Keep a Journal

Toss a journal or spiral notebook in your handbag or satchel so you always have pen and paper to jot notes. When you need more note taking space than the showing sheet allows, having a notebook means nothing is left to memory.

In Summary

Having an organizational plan will help you manage the information you collect and keep good notes that you can refer back to later. Then should your memory fail you, you can trust what you noted in the moment and capture your first impressions. Want more ideas? Ready to schedule an appointment to see some fabulous homes around the Houston area? Let’s talk soon.  

Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers, and citywide was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020, #3 in 2021, and #2 in 2022. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.