The Home Search!
You made it through the pre qualification process and now it's time for the fun part! We get to start looking at homes!
First let's prioritize your wants vs needs. While it might be nice to have a gas stove or a pool in the backyard, are those things you can't live without? Your list might look something like this
Want
Real hardwood floors
A clawfoot bathtub
Heated floors
Xeriscape lawn
Need
min 3 bed / 2.5 bath
a yard
2 car garage
Community center or pool
Everyones' wants and needs are going to look a little different. A want to you may be a need to someone else!
Attached or detached home?
Do you want your own stand alone single family home? Do you prefer a duplex, town home, or condo? Deciding factors could be your need for a yard and privacy. If you like to throw large loud get togethers an apartment probably isn't for you!
Floor Plan
Ranch, walk out basement, 2 story etc. Do you prefer open floor plans or more sectioned off rooms? Floor plans can often be changed later on by adding or removing a wall if possible.
Finishes
Do you want a home that needs some work so you can customize it? Or do you want a totally move in ready home? Do you have a specific style of décor you want? Keep in mind things like paint and fixtures are easy to swap out in the future, so don't let one bad paint color deter you from your otherwise perfect home.
Beds / Baths
When we search for your home online we can specify how many beds and baths it has.
Do you have kids that each need their own room? Do you plan on having guests over often? Do you need an office space or hobby room? Some homes have a loft area or "flex space" that can be used for multiple purposes but doesn't qualify as a bedroom.
A full bath has a sink, shower and toilet
A half bath just has a sink and toilet.
Budget
While your lender told you the maximum amount they'd lend you, this does not mean you need to use this maximum amount! Many buyers purchase a home much under that amount in order to obtain a monthly payment they're more comfortable with. Take a hard look at your finances and don't feel pressured to spend the max amount!
Be Realistic
Depending on the market and available inventory we may not be able to find everything on your dream home list, in fact your dream home may not even exist! we'll get as close as we can, but don't get discouraged when a home doesn't check every single box. You may not have the "This is the one" feeling, and that's ok! This is a huge investment in your future lifestyle and finances. Be ready to give and take a little and stay open minded as we're home hunting!
It's time to see homes!
Once you find one you want to see we'll schedule a time and tour the home together!
This first impression is to get a good feel for the home, could you see your self living here? Is it well taken care of? Don't worry about examining every little detail of the house, this is what professional inspectors are for.
We can always go back for a second showing if you need to see it again.
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It's easy to get emotional about the buying process and buy emotionally, remember to keep logic in mind to avoid buyers remorse!
I'll set you up with automatic market alerts so you can see what's hitting the market in your criteria as soon as it's available! This ensures we can see it as quickly as possible and have the best shot at getting an offer in.
(Did you know sites like Zillow often show listings up to a few days late and often have inaccurate or expired listing data)
Finding the right home could be the first showing or take months to find the right fit! New inventory is constantly coming on the market so don't get discouraged.
Once we found a home you want, it's time to make an offer!