The point of this home buying tip is to make you comfortable with snooping.

What do I mean by snooping?

I mean that when you look at a home you're thinking about buying, you really need to look at the home. That sounds like a no-brainer, so let me explain:

Most people are not comfortable peeking into the nooks and crannies of a stranger's house. Maybe it's a closet you don't feel comfortable entering. Maybe it's the attic or basement, or that shed out in the yard. Examining the dark corners of someone else's house is just plain weird.

But here's the thing. You have to look. That is, if you're serious about buying the home. There's no other way to know what you're buying into. So you have to accept the fact that it's okay to snoop.

Of course, some areas are obviously off limits. For example, you wouldn't snoop through somebodys sock drawer [eek!] or a bookshelf. Those things are moving with the sellers. But any item that transfers with the property is fair game for snooping.

Snoop-able Areas Include:

• Attic
• Basement
• Cabinets
• Garage
• Closets
• Sheds or outbuildings
• Areas hidden by furniture

Still don't feel comfortable snooping? Consider this:

1. Sellers were once buyers. So they've done some snooping of their own, and they probably expect you to be no different.

2. If you have a real estate agent, he or she will likely do some of the snooping with you.

3. Most sellers will step aside and give you plenty of privacy when you visit. It's part of the unofficial home-selling "protocol."

4. By listing a home for sale, the owners have knowingly turned their private domain into a publicly viewable product.

5. Sellers with nothing to hide won't mind where you look. If you feel rushed, closely escorted, or "blocked" from certain areas ... it's a red flag!

Be Respectful
Keep in mind that snooping does not mean disrespecting the home. Be respectful. Be polite. But at the same time be thorough. I hope this home buying tip has helped you realize ... it's okay to snoop!

* Copyright 2006, Brandon Cornett. You may republish this article if you keep the byline and author's note, and also leave the hyperlinks active.