First Time Buying a Home Tips
You are focused and certain: it’s time to buy a house. Your very first home on your own. But wait. Don’t just dive in.
Define Your Search Parameters. Almost 80% of all home searches today begin on the Internet. With just a few clicks of the mouse, home buyers can search through hundreds of online listings, view virtual tours, and sort through dozens of photographs and aerial shots of neighborhoods and homes. You’ve probably defined your goals and have a pretty good idea of the type of home and neighborhood you want. By the time you reach your real estate agent’s office, you are halfway to home ownership.
Good real estate agents will listen to your wants and needs and arrange to show only those homes that fit your particular parameters. Your agent should preview homes before showing them to you as well.
Studies show that your memory dramatically improves after consumption of carbs and slows upon consuming sugar. So, lay off the soft drinks and have a hearty meal of carbs before venturing out to tour homes. Try not to look at too many homes in one day. If you get burnt out your judgment will be off.
Bring a digital camera and begin each series of photos with a close-up of the house number to identify where each group of home photos start and end. Take lots of notes of unusual features, colors and design elements. Pay attention to the home’s surroundings. What is next door? Do 2-story homes tower over your single story?
Immediately after leaving, rate each home on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, and view top choices a second time before choosing that perfect home. After touring homes for a few days, you will probably instinctively know which one or two homes you would like to buy. Ask to see them again. You will see them with different eyes and notice elements that were overlooked the first time around.
At this point, your agent should call the listing agents to find out more about the sellers’ motivation and to double check that an offer hasn’t come in, making sure these homes are still available to purchase. At this point, you will have your home narrowed down and it will be time to start the long process of purchasing.
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