Experienced buyers and investors reach a number within about ten minutes of walking through a house. They are not admiring the finishes. They are running a checklist, and most of what they are reading is invisible to the person who lives there.
What they are actually checking
The first pass is sensory. Scent, sound and humidity tell an experienced buyer about moisture, ventilation and whether the mechanical systems are keeping up.
Then the structure. Window operation, trim gaps and settling lines around door frames say more about foundation movement than any cosmetic surface will.
Then the utilities. The electrical panel gives away the age of the system and whether work was done properly or improvised. Under the sinks, supply lines and drain connections show corrosion, leaks and previous repairs.
Finally the envelope. Attic lines, roof planes and where water is directed once it leaves the roof determine whether the house has a maintenance history or a deferred one.
Why it matters to a seller
These are the same items that show up on an inspection report and become price deductions later. Seeing your house the way a professional buyer sees it, before you list, is the cheapest leverage available.
Read the full breakdown on HouseCashers.com