Remember, nobody buys a whole house. We all have one or two areas that are the most important. When we find those, you get the rest of the house for free. Well...almost.
Organization is the key to finding the home you want while spending the least amount of time and energy.
Find out how much house you can afford. Do this before you go house-hunting. I can refer you to a loan officer who can help you determine how much of a down payment you can afford, along with a monthly payment you can handle.
Make a list of everything you want in a home. Is a master suite important? How many bathrooms? What about closet space? Do you need a yard for the kids and pets to play in? How about a fireplace or a bay window? Do you prefer a rambler or multiple-story house? Are schools or access to transportation important? What about views?
Separate the essentials from the items you could do without and put them on the A" list. Prioritize the rest of the items into a second and third list in order of importance. We'll then go over the list so I'm very clear on what you want and need in your home.
Keep good notes as we look at homes. After a while, it becomes difficult to remember which features belong to what home. I can provide you with a form and rating system to help you compare homes. Some buyers make audio tapes as they go along.
When selecting a home, look beyond cosmetics. Make sure the home is in good physical condition and you understand the cost of repairs. For more information on how to assess the home's condition, refer to my Home Inspection information section.
Look at additional homes, even if you love the first one you see. Many times, it takes looking at several homes before you find the one that is really right for you.
Be observant when considering a new neighborhood. What pace of life characterizes the neighborhood? Is this where you want your kids growing up and playing? What about the noise level? Now is your chance to be a detective, figuring out everything you can about the neighborhood in which you may be living.
As you gather notes, approach the home from different directions, and at different times of the day. This will help expose you to what goes on around the neighborhood, which you would experience daily if you were living there.
Check distances to:
Remember, nobody buys a whole house. We all have one or two areas that are the most important. When we find those, you get the rest of the house for free. Well...almost.