If you’re using a video tour to get a closer look at the house you are interested in purchasing, you’ll want to be sure and give the bedrooms more than a passing glance.
After all, a bedroom isn’t just a place to sleep, it also tends to function as a retreat, quiet workspace, and for kids, a room to play, do homework and host sleepovers. So, while a bedroom’s size and closet space are important, those aren’t the only things you should ask to see during a video tour. Here are some potential issues you might find hiding in the boudoir.
1. It might not actually be a bedroom
Some listings will refer to a bonus room as a bedroom even if it does not have a closet and a window. So, while taking the video tour, you should verify that bedrooms have a door and a window as two means of escape in an emergency.
The ceiling also should be high enough for a person to comfortably stand, and the square footage ample enough to accommodate a bed. Be sure to ask your agent if the room is legally considered a bedroom.
2. There’s no privacy
Have your agent scan the windows and sills to check their condition. Take note of features, such as triple-pane or tilt-and-turn windows. Finally, check the view. You’ll want to know if a large, beautiful window in the master bedroom lacks privacy and looks right into a neighbor’s yard.
3. The fixtures and outlets are dated or in bad shape
When it comes to the bedroom, buyers’ eyes tend to veer toward a beautifully made bed with lots of accent pillows and art on the walls. But it’s important to remember to look at the more permanent features of the room that you’ll have to live with daily. Ask your agent to zoom in on things like the flooring, ceiling fan, light fixtures, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and heating and cooling vents. Also note if there’s a radiator hiding behind the headboard, an air conditioner in the window and how many outlets are in the room. Older homes often have fewer outlets, and they might be the outdated, two-prong variety that isn’t grounded.
4. The early morning sun will wake you up
An abundance of natural light is a coveted feature, unless the morning sunlight wakes you up hours before your alarm goes off. Many real estate agents and home buyers who visit a property at varying times throughout the day unintentionally fail to consider what the exposure is like at 5:30 a.m. with the sunrise. While curtains and blinds are obvious solutions, you might not want to cover windows that showcase a beautiful view or are placed high in a vaulted ceiling.
5. Your furniture won’t fit
Always pay attention to how much furniture is in the bedroom and how it’s arranged. Staging can declutter and depersonalize a space, so buyers should consider how their belongings will fit or whether they’ll have to purchase brand-new furnishings.
Ask your agent for the dimensions of the bed and dresser for comparison. If the dresser is missing, it could mean the bedroom has a large closet with organizational options. Ask to see inside all of the closets, and note the size, shelves and other organizational components.
6. The bedrooms are in an inconvenient spot
When taking a live video tour, don’t forget to pay attention to where bedrooms are situated in the house. Then, ask yourself how the locations of the bedroom will suit your lifestyle. Will you be more comfortable with the kid’s bedrooms on the same floor? Is the master suite adjacent to a busy living room or kitchen? Where are the baths in reference to the bedrooms?
7. The master bath doesn’t offer separation
A spacious master retreat not only is where you’ll want to rest your weary head at night, but it’s also the place where you can relax in a soothing bath or luxuriate in a rainfall shower. If you want a bit of privacy, however, be mindful of the layout of the master.
For instance, many people overlook the fact that there is not a door between the bedroom and the bath. Many floor plans now have a water closet—a small toilet room with a door—but don’t have a door separating the bedroom from the rest of the bath.
8. There might be potential safety hazards
If you’re looking at a multilevel home or a house with a bedroom in the basement, be sure and verify the fire escape routes. Consider potential safety hazards, such as how difficult it might be to drop a fire escape ladder out of an upstairs bedroom window or a ladder up from a basement bedroom.
Basement bedrooms should have an egress window, and upper-floor windows should be clear of obstructions like trees or sections of the house that would hamper an emergency exit.