House Hunting Tips
June 3, 2014
You’re finally ready. You’ve got your down payment tucked away, you’re pre-qualified. Now that you’ve jumped through the hurdles—it’s time for the fun part! So, where do you start, when you’re on the hunt for your dream house?
First, concentrate on the neighborhoods that are convenient to your workplace, or if you plan on commuting, decide how long of a drive you’re willing to make, and make sure to target areas that are within that time budget. If you have children, do some research on the neighborhoods zoned for the school you’d ideally like for your child to attend.
Next, decide how much space you need, and then factor in how much space you want. Is square footage your main concern, or is closet space more of a consideration? Do you have a specific floor plan you’re looking for? Will you consider a house without a backyard, or is a deck and patio more what you’re looking for?
Once your Realtor® has located a list of suitable candidates, don’t skip on the walk-through. Pictures won’t reflect how a house feels to you, and walking through a house will really give you an idea of how you, your family, your furniture and your life might fit into the space.
Remember to be flexible, but firm in the home design elements that are non-negotiable for you. If carpet’s not your favorite choice in flooring, or you’re not wild about the color of the walls, those are design elements that are easy and inexpensive to change. The floor plan, the location and the amenities are much more important considerations. If your move was prompted by wanting a house with more storage, don’t make an offer of a home that doesn’t have what you’re looking for—the right price is only important if it’s the right house!
Once you’ve found the right house at the right price, sit down with your Realtor® to write out an offer. Discuss all the options available to you, write it up and have your Realtor® present it. Remember, always strike while the iron is hot!
