Austin Moore

I'd skip the candle and heated vanilla. A clean home with no strong added fragrance is a better starting point than trying to choose a scent every visitor will like. If there's an odor, deal with its source instead of covering it up. Cookies are optional hospitality, not something you need to do to show the house well. Some visitors will enjoy them and others will pass. If baking adds another chore to getting ready, leave it off the list. Austin Moore Broker/Owner, Austin Moore & Company Real Estate Realtor in Longview, Texas

Yes, Tiffany. Ask your agent to include the request in the showing instructions, then put a polite note and shoe covers by the entrance. A chair nearby makes it easier for people who choose to remove their shoes. Let your agent know you're open to another arrangement if a visitor can't safely remove their shoes or use the covers. That gets your preference across without making the doorway an awkward part of the showing. Austin Moore Broker/Owner, Austin Moore & Company Real Estate Realtor in Longview, Texas

I wouldn't remove features you rely on just because you're worried a future buyer might not want them. A ramp and grab bars can be useful to a buyer, and their presence alone doesn't tell you what the house will sell for. When you're preparing to sell, have a local agent look at how they fit with the rest of the home and compare the property with similar homes nearby. Keep the entrance tidy and show the features clearly in the marketing. There's no reliable dollar deduction or increase to assign from this description alone. Austin Moore Broker/Owner, Austin Moore & Company Real Estate Realtor in Longview, Texas

An appraisal helps you understand the home's value. An inspection helps you understand its condition. They answer different questions, so one doesn't replace the other. The appraiser develops an opinion of value using the property and market evidence, including comparable sales. The inspector looks at accessible parts of the home and reports on its condition. That report can help you decide what needs attention, what to investigate further and what to discuss with your agent before moving forward. Neither is a guarantee that the house has no problems. Austin Moore Broker/Owner, Austin Moore & Company Real Estate Realtor in Longview, Texas

You can start talking with agents while you're working on preapproval. That first conversation is a good time to explain your plans, ask how the agent works and find out what they need before scheduling showings. I'd get the lender conversation underway at the same time. A rough budget is useful, but you want to know what you can comfortably spend before getting attached to a house. Browsing listings can help you figure out what you like while that gets sorted out. Some agents will want preapproval before tours, so ask about that up front. You don't have to wait to introduce yourself. Austin Moore Broker/Owner, Austin Moore & Company Real Estate Realtor in Longview, Texas