Need to learn about home contruction, layout, and fixtures. Such as to know what ie; crown moldings, vaulted ceilings, cathedral ceiling, recessed lighting, butler pantry. etc you get the idea. i would like to know what i'm talking about and can identify when i do a walk through. thanks for your help in adavance.

I had a similar question some time ago and one of the agents gave me the link below. I found it very useful. If you have cable watching HGTV will help alot. I'v been addicted to that channel since I got cable.

www.realtor.org/rmoarchitecture_guide/architectureguidehomepage

HGTV is one of the most skewed things out there. And my local real estate king actually called something crown molding that was actually a chair rail when he appeared on HGTV. It was just funny. The agents featured there aren't chosen for their knowledge, but for their head shot.

I think the best thing you can do is hang out in your local Home Depot, Lowe's, counter stores, tile stores, lighting stores, etc. to learn what things really cost and what the trends are from the people that are selling to the public. Spend some time with a contractor or custom home builder. A day in the truck with one of those guys will teach you far more than an episode of House Hunters.

Also read magazines related to construction, architecture, remodeling, green living, etc to keep up on the latest stuff.

HGTV is for entertainment purposes ONLY.

Using HGTV to learn about home construction is like watching Scrubs to learn about medicine

"This Old House" find it on your local PBS station, great program.

Most local MLS boards hold agent tour days, and sometimes agents will even "babysit" their own listing on tour day. When you find one present, ask him/her to point out some of the home's high points. They will use the "language," and you can pick it up!

Also, try to tag along with experienced agents on home tour. Just listen to their comments as they go through the house. "Nice trayed ceiling," "Look at the sub-zero freezer," "You don't see many pot-fillers." See what I mean? There may be at least one term in there that you don't know. I learned to use all of those terms properly by eavesdropping on other agents during tour.

That's a good idea...as long as the agents themselves know what they are talking about.

I hate, hate, hate to see a plain old ranch style house - more than likely a cheap early 70's modular...described as a "bungalow." A bungalow is a specific style of home (similar to Arts & Crafts Craftsman styles...my absolute FAVORITE kinds of houses.) Or a contemporary with crazy roof lines called a "saltbox."


I would suggest checking out the realtor.org link from above.

Or try this:

http://architecture.about.com/od/housestyles/tp/housestylesindex.htm

Thank you so much for your comments and advice. I will definitely taken it all in.

Close, use the internet as a resource for information. Albeit it is not the same as actually seeing a home with a particular feature, you can go through much more information in a much shorter amount of time. PM me if you would like a link to a good site where you can find out more information.

You might check here: www.theplancollection.com/help/home-building-terms/