Checking out local real estate

I've always loved looking at houses, interior decor magazines, TV home renovation shows and DIY sessions. I love to get ideas of what I would like to do in our own home and see what the best configuration would be and checking out real estate is really the best way to do it. A lot of homes are already set up with furniture when you go to an open house, but I prefer to see it as an blank palette, rather than in someone else's preferences.