How to Save and Compare Homes Before Scheduling a Viewing

1. 01

   Step 1: Set your must-haves and deal-breakers before you start

   

   Write down your non-negotiables before you save a single listing. This might include budget ceiling, minimum bedrooms, pet policy, parking spots, or maximum commute time. Then list your nice-to-haves: updated kitchen, yard, quiet street, walk-in closet. Keep both lists in your phone's notes app.

   When you're looking at dozens of homes, decision fatigue sets in fast. Your criteria will drift unless you anchor yourself. Every time you're tempted to save a listing that violates a must-have, glance at your list. If a property checks every must-have box but lacks nice-to-haves, save it anyway—you can compare trade-offs later. This filter alone will cut your shortlist by half.

2. 02

   Step 2: Save properties as you browse, not afterward

   

   When a listing catches your eye, save it immediately. Don't tell yourself you'll remember it or search for it again later—you won't, or you'll waste time re-finding it. On Lumo, tap the heart icon on any home for sale, long-term rental, or short stay; it goes straight into your saved list.

   Don't overthink saves at this stage. If a property is even remotely interesting, save it. You're building a pool of candidates, not making final decisions. Plan to save 15 to 25 homes in your first search session, then trim from there. Saving is free and reversible; the cost of not saving is losing a great property in the shuffle.

3. 03

   Step 3: Create a simple comparison spreadsheet

   

   Open a spreadsheet (Google Sheets on your phone works fine) with columns for address, price, beds, baths, square feet, parking, pet policy, laundry, lease term or HOA fee, and a notes column. Add a row for each saved property. Fill it in as you review your shortlist.

   This takes 20 minutes for a dozen homes and pays off instantly. You'll spot patterns: five properties are all $200 over budget, three have no parking, two have laundry hookups but not machines. Seeing everything in one table makes trade-offs obvious. You can sort by price or commute distance and see which compromises you're actually willing to make. Keep this sheet open during viewings to jot down gut reactions.

4. 04

   Step 4: Revisit each saved home and take notes

   

   Go back through your saved list one by one. Read the full description, zoom in on photos, check the neighborhood on a map, and add observations to your spreadsheet. Look for red flags: vague photos, 'cozy' (tiny), 'charming' (needs work), or oddly cheap for the area.

   In the notes column, write what stands out—'great natural light,' 'busy street,' 'small closets,' 'perfect location.' These quick notes are gold when you're comparing ten similar homes later. Also check if the listing is still active; stale listings waste your time. This review round typically eliminates a third of your saves, leaving a realistic shortlist of homes worth pursuing.

5. 05

   Step 5: Group your shortlist by priority

   

   Sort your remaining saves into three tiers: 'must see,' 'maybe,' and 'backup.' Your must-see tier should have three to six properties that check every must-have and most nice-to-haves. The maybe tier has homes with one deal-breaker you might overlook or unknowns you need to see in person. Backups are homes you'll consider only if the first tiers disappoint.

   Use your spreadsheet or even just move saved homes into phone folders if the platform allows. On Lumo, you can remove saves you've ruled out to keep your list clean. This tiering makes scheduling efficient: book viewings for must-sees first, and only add maybes if your calendar permits. You'll avoid the trap of touring 15 homes and feeling more confused than when you started.

6. 06

   Step 6: Schedule viewings strategically in one or two blocks

   

   Contact landlords or agents for your must-see tier and try to book viewings on the same day or consecutive days. Aim for two to four homes per session, spaced 45 minutes apart if they're in the same area. Touring everything fresh in your memory makes comparison easier.

   Bring your spreadsheet (printed or on your phone), take photos if allowed, and immediately jot down gut feelings after each viewing. Right after you leave, rate the home 1 to 5 and note any surprises—'smaller than photos,' 'neighbors very loud,' 'landlord seemed responsive.' These instant notes are far more reliable than trying to reconstruct your feelings two days later when someone wants an application.

7. 07

   Step 7: Make your decision with a clear comparison

   

   After viewings, pull up your spreadsheet and review every column plus your visit notes. Eliminate any home that revealed a deal-breaker in person. For the remaining contenders, imagine living there day-to-day: morning routine, commute, weekends, hosting friends.

   If you're stuck between two homes, list what you'd gain and lose with each. Often the right choice becomes obvious when you see it written out. If you need to act fast in a competitive market, having this comparison ready means you can submit an application or make an offer the same day. Trust the work you put into your shortlist—it's designed to surface the best fit, not just the shiniest listing.

Photos are illustrative. Service prices are typical ranges and vary by city. How we write our guides.