By So, you have been saving up for some time and are now in a position where you have enough money for a down payment, and your finances are in order. You are highly likely to be approved for a mortgage, or maybe you have already been pre-approved. Regardless, now is the time to look for the perfect house. But how and where do you look? What do you need to know and what are the things you can and cannot live with in your new home?
Think About Your Budget
Looking at homes for sale is a hobby for some people. They will search for expensive homes that are way out of their budget, just to see how the other half live. But when it comes to buying a home for yourself, you need to be realistic about what you can and cannot afford. According to the experts at Exit Real Estate Consultants in Fort Polk, there is no point in wasting your time looking at properties that are out of your price range. While you can look at homes that are priced slightly above what you can afford in the hopes that the seller will drop the price, expecting a seller to drop by tens of thousands of dollars is unrealistic.
Speak to an Agent
If you want to find the perfect house, your chances of doing so will be much better with a buyer’s agent on your side. A real estate agent will discuss your circumstances with you to find out what you want and what you can afford before recommending suitable properties to view. Buyers’ agents have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which lists every single property for sale in an area. This will make it easier for you to find the house of your dreams in your price range.
Know What You Want – And What You Don’t
It is a good idea to know what you would like your new home to have as well as what you don’t want.
Below are some of the things people look at when buying a home:
- Specific area of town
- Price range
- Age of home
- Number of bedrooms
- Number of bathrooms
- Type of house (one or two story, detached, townhouse etc.)
- Size of yard
- Direction yard is facing
- Garage
- Loft
- Basement
- State of repair
- Nearby transportation links.
There may be other things that would be classed as desirable but not necessarily dealbreakers. For example, if your budget allows, you might prefer a home to have a swimming pool or an open fireplace, but you would still consider a property without these features. On the other hand, maybe a back yard that faces the sun in the evenings is really important to you and you are just not prepared to compromise on this. Knowing what you do and do not want will save you looking at homes you will never buy.
Look Outside the Box
Some people do not see beyond what is in front of their eyes when viewing homes for sale. For example, they will visit a home that is not decorated to their taste, which will then put them off buying. It is important to look outside the box and view the home rather than what is inside it. Remember, the furniture will not be there, and you can always paint the walls in colors you prefer. Minor imperfections can be easily fixed and if the house has everything else you want, such as being in the right neighborhood and having the requisite number of bedrooms, you can easily make it your dream home.
