 Whether you are a homebuyer looking to buy a home or a REALTOR going to show homes to potential purchasers, you may just want to add a new tool alongside your cell phone, lockbox key, and digital camera on your ever-present Batman style utility belt.
 That new tool is the flashlight! Once the exclusive province of the home inspector to light the way as he climbs into attics and trudges through crawlspace, the flashlight is quickly becoming an essential part of the homebuyer's and REALTOR's toolkit.
WHY? One word: FORECLOSURES. Guess what -- the home's in foreclosure because the owner was severely delinquent on their mortgage payments. They likely missed paying their electricity, heating and water bills as well. Even if they kept up with these utility invoices, once the bank starts foreclosure proceedings and then owns the property, the utilities are typically turned off. If your home search includes foreclosure properties, it is 99.44% likely that you will enter a home with no electricity and hence no light save the natural light that may come in from the windows. My best advice is to go see foreclosure properties in the daytime. Even then, you'll likely need a flashlight to fully inspect the condition of the property.  Today, while looking through properties online, I came across the following remarks in a property description:
"You can enter the property through the front door, but you will need a drill or crow bar to remove the board from the front door. Please nail the board back up when you are finished. A flash light is also required." I don't know about you, but I'm very hesitant of showing a home where I'll need to bring a drill, crow bar, hammer and nails. I have visions of the neighbors calling the cops while I literally break into the house. "Officer, I'm a REALTOR... Do you want to see my broker's license?" I'm fine with the flashlight if that's what it takes to make a sale in today's market. You can supply the crow bar. For a REALTOR who will shine a light to help you navigate the dark and sometimes dangerous housing market, give me a call at 703-626-0715. CLICK HERE TO START YOUR NORTHERN VIRGINIA OR D.C. HOME SEARCH. No batteries required. | 
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