When looking for that proverbial needle, you will either spend all your time going around in circles never find anything, OR you’ll enlist the assistance of an expert Realtor who knows all the right tricks and has all the right tools o help you out with each and every step of the way. Here are a few more pointers to help you find just the right property, in the just right neighborhood, with all the best amenities, super schools and shopping, a beautiful view of the mountains and at one fantastic price — and all at the price you’re willing to pay!
When looking for a home, search for one that you could see yourself living in for several years — at least five to seven years is ideal. Buying — and moving — to a new home takes a lot of time and effort, and can add up significantly in closing and moving costs, etc. Staying in place longer will help you avoid those added expenses. Plus, the extra time spent in your home could be just enough to help you ride out a downturn in the real estate market. Allow for Growth
Aim for a home that can adapt to your needs as your life changes, say, if you have a new baby, or Junior moves back in after college. If you can’t afford a place that’s large enough to meet your anticipated future needs now, look for one that will allow you to build on later on. Be Flexible Consider a place with rooms that can serve multiple functions, so the home remains highly functional for you through the years. For example, an open-floor-plan-style home is very adaptable. A kitchen that overlooks a family room is helpful when one’s children are young (you can cook while watching the kids), while such a kitchen is also great for entertaining your friends once the kids leave the roost. Search for What Works for You Think about what style of home fits you best — house, condo, townhouse, etc. — they’re not one size fits all. For example, a single-family home — which sits on its own lot and must be maintained by the homeowner — may be great for a person seeking privacy, but not so wonderful for somebody who doesn’t want to worry about mowing the lawn, fixing the plumbing, etc. Meanwhile, a condo might be perfect for somebody who wants a “lock ‘n’ leave” lifestyle, but not for somebody who doesn’t like sharing a wall with his neighbors. Checkout the Surrounding Area When you buy a home, you not only get a house, you also buy into a neighborhood. Think about whether that neighborhood will suit you. Sure, you might love the house itself, but will the loud neighbors next door or the school across the street become too bothersome for you? Also, do you like the feel of the neighborhood and does it offer everything you need? It’s best to find a place in a community that you’ll enjoy. Only Buy What You Can Afford It’s easy to shoot for the sky and overspend when buying a home — you understandably want the best your money can buy. Examine your finances, keeping in mind current and future expenses, and don’t exceed your means. It’s smarter to buy a home you can easily afford than one you have to stretch to get into. Stay down to earth, and you’ll be better prepared should unexpected financial commitments and problems arise later down the road. Think “Home” First When purchasing a home, don’t imagine the dollar signs you’ll see the day you sell it. A home is just that — primarily a “home,” and not an investment. So, buy a place that’d be great to live in first and think about its resale value second. Predicting real estate cycles and home appreciation is tough enough for the experts — and much more for the average home buyer. Plus, while home renovations tend to add value to a residence, they rarely recoup more than what was spent on them. Be Open to Both Old and New It’s nice to move into a place that’s brand-new. But, new isn’t always better. Consider both old and new. While you might not like a previous homeowner’s decorating decisions, you might like the owner-installed upgrades — like a finished basement and a backyard deck — that a new home might not have. Location, Location, Location
You’ve heard this tip before, but a home’s location does matter. A house that’s located on a busy, noisy street may be less
enjoyable to you as a homeowner than one situated on a quiet, secluded cul-de-sac. Plus, a home on a cul-de-sac is likely to be worth more than a poorly located one when it comes time to resell. So consider a home’s location before you’re smitten by a spectacular interior. Will You Keep It, or Eventually Sell It While you want to think of your place as a home first and not an investment, it doesn’t make sense to buy a white elephant, either. You should put at least some thought into how easy — or difficult — it’ll be to resell the home one day. If a home is so unlike other nearby homes in terms of size, style, price, etc., you might want to skip it and look elsewhere — it could become a burden should you want to someday move on.
I will help to provide you with additional information on areas that are attractive to you, as well as schedule times for you to preview any properties that may be of interest.
• Are you the listing agent for this house? Busy agents sometimes arrange for a colleague or assistant to conduct the open house. Don’t assume the person showing the home is knowledgeable about the house or has met the sellers. • How long has the home been on the market? Well-priced homes in good condition generally sell in a short period of time. Unless the local market is weak, you will want to know why a particular home is not selling. Are there hidden defects? Is it overpriced? Are the sellers requiring something that may seem unreasonable as a condition of the sale? • Have the sellers received any offers? If the sellers rejected offers that were too low or had contingencies or conditions, you should find out before you experience the same. • Are the fixtures or any furniture being included with the purchase of the house? If you’re thinking of buying the home, there is no better time to ask whether the seller would be interested to include items like the patio furniture, hot tube, or the dining room chandelier. • Are there any special costs attached to the property? Is there a homeowner’s association that has dues or fees? Are there particular tax assessments? Are there any natural hazard issues to be aware of? Are there any hidden costs of owning the home? *• How does this house compare to others on this street? The local agent may be able to speak about recent sales in the neighborhood as well as some interior ideas seen in other homes.
• Is there enough room for both the present and the future? • Are there enough bedrooms and bathrooms? • Is the house structurally sound? • Do the mechanical systems and appliances work? • Is the yard big enough? • Do you like the floor plan? • Are there any warranties that can be transferred with the purchase of the house? • Will my furniture fit in the space? Is there enough storage space? (Bring a tape measure to better answer these questions.) • Does anything need to repaired or replaced? Will the seller repair or replace the items? • Imagine the house in good weather and bad, and in each season. Will you be happy with it year ’round? • Take your time and think carefully about each house you see. Ask your agent to point out the pros and cons of each home from a professional standpoint. • There isn’t a set number of houses you should see before you decide. Just be sure to communicate often with your agent about everything you’re looking for. It will help focus the search. • Take detailed notes, take pictures, and make a video — anything to help you remember as much as you can. (Be sure to first secure the permission of the owner before photographing or taking video, though.) • If the owner or the owner’s agent is present during your viewing of the home, don’t say too much about your likes or dislikes. • Which items require ongoing maintenance (paint, roof, heating and air conditioning systems, appliances, carpet)? • What about the neighborhood and the quality of life it affords? • Does the home’s style, features and amenities conform to the neighborhood? • Are there any potential problems with the home’s electrical or mechanical systems? • Does the home appear to have any structural problems? • Does the home appear to have any drainage or foundation problems?
Don’t forget that the area surrounding new housing developments may not be finished – and when the empty field across the street becomes home to office buildings, the neighborhood could change dramatically. Green spaces and parks may not materialize as promised. Thorough research can help. Price
Your lender may tell you that you can afford to buy the house you adore, but are you comfortable with the monthly payments you will be obligated to make? Is the down payment within your means? Will you have enough cash to pay transaction costs and moving expenses? If the house needs major repairs, remodeling or redecorating can you save the necessary funds within a reasonable time period? Size and Configuration
What size house do you need? What is the right combination of bedrooms, bathrooms and other living areas? How much storage is needed? Is a formal space for entertaining important or will more time be spent in the kitchen and family room? Comfort
Do you have a priority for a single level home versus a two story? Is central heating or air-conditioning a priority? What directions do the bedrooms and key living areas of the house face? Is there cross-ventilation? If you entertain, is there a bathroom easily accessible for your guests? Style
What house style suits you best? Modern or traditional? Mediterranean or cottage? Will your current furnishings determine the style of the house you choose? Are there pieces of furniture you own that require space consideration? Features
Some buyers become enamored with pricey home amenities that seem attractive and desirable at the time, but later prove to be more headache and less pleasure than anticipated. Do you really want a swimming pool? Are you planning on having children? That may mean you will need to enclose the pool or find alternative safety elements. How much landscaping or yard maintenance expenses are you willing to incur? Resale Potential
On average, people move to a new home every seven years. If you wanted to sell your home, how easy would it be to find a willing buyer? If you are interested in a very customized home, it is important to manage your resale expectations and gauge them against the future market conditions.
Stay the CourseAre You Ready To Find A Property
Are you ready to get started?! Once you’ve determined that you are ready to purchase a home, there are few things as exciting as searching for just the right property to call your own.Remember, shopping for a home is a process that, whenever possible, should not be rushed. Make sure that you perform adequate research on the area, neighborhoods and the homes available on the market before you buy. You should do your best to look carefully and, whenever possible, try not to let your emotions make your final decision.
0Visiting Open Homes
An open house can be an opportunity for you to get information about homes and the housing market. Open houses are a common real estate practice because they give an agent the opportunity to market the home and to meet prospective buyers.Here are some questions you may want to ask:
0Using A Property Checklist
When searching for a home, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with information and to forget the details of each particular home you’ve viewed — that’s why I’ve created this list to help you keep track of all the information you need to help you in this important decision.When you view a home, keep in mind this checklist:
0Other Considerations
New Home or Older Home?
There are pros and cons to each. While older homes can offer interesting architectural details like higher ceilings, for example, a home with higher ceilings can produce more expensive heating costs. New homes, on the other hand, are likely to be better insulated and more energy efficient. They offer the promise — but certainly not a guarantee — of fewer structural and mechanical problems. On the other hand, if you need to buy new draperies and landscaping at the outset, costs quickly can add up.
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