7 Steps to Help You Find a New Home
Diving into the housing market can be exciting and fearful at the same time. Looking for certain details will help you a lot when looking for a new home. Use the following 7 suggestions to help you pick your new house!
1. Make Sure You Use An Agent With Experience
Using a realtor with experience is always going to make the process better. Inexperienced real estate agents don’t necessarily have the connections to help you find the best properties or mortgage rates. Remember to ask your real estate agent how long they’ve been in business and what type of experience they have. They also need strong communication skills and should make you feel at ease.
2. Use Your Realtor To Help You Do Your Research
One of the reasons it’s important to look for a realtor with experience is because you need them to help you do your research. Your realtor should have access to multiple databases and sources to help you find the best home in your target areas. Your realtor should also be offering to do marketing evaluations to ensure you’re not overpaying and that the mortgage rates are fair. Coming prepared with questions will help you make the most out of hiring a real estate agent.
3. Consider The Lifestyle You Want To Lead When Looking At Homes
The life you want to lead plays a large role in which homes are appropriate for you. If excitement and the ability to walk places is important to you, you probably don’t want to look for homes in the suburbs. It’s also important to consider how your life might change in 5 years. If you’re planning on having kids you need to factor that into your decision. You want to pick a neighborhood that allows you to live a lifestyle you can be content with.
4. Get Your Realtor To Help You Make Clean Offers
The cleaner your offer, the more likely it is to be accepted. Clean offers mean you don’t have a lot of terms and conditions attached. Speaking with your real estate agent will help you get clear on the factors most important to you that you need to include in your deal. If you’re constantly contacting the other party making demands and changes, they may just decide to go with other people who are less hassle.
5. Make Sure Your Finances Are In Order Before Making The Purchase
Buying a home is a complex decision especially when you consider your budget. It’s tempting to go for those homes just slightly out of your price range, but the tradeoff is rarely worth it. As you take ownership of your new home, you need to be prepared for your monthly costs to increase. Remaining within your budget helps you avoid buyers remorse.
6. Use Open Houses To Your Advantage
Open houses are an excellent place to ask questions and learn more about homes that interest you. Ask specific questions such as the age of the HVAC system and when the last time a plumbing inspection was done. Keep an eye out for weird smells or damage that can throw your budget out of whack. It’s also important to ask questions about the roof and find out about its condition.
7. Don’t Let Minor Decor Flaws Turn You Off
While it’s important to look for damage during open houses, you shouldn’t let small flaws turn you off. Not liking the color of the home is something you can easily change later on. You’ll find it hard to find homes that meet your lifestyle, budget and personal requirements so don’t let a minor flaw turn you off.