How To Find the Right Home.

Purchasing a home is a very important decision. The experience should be fun and enjoyable as there are many beautiful homes on the market. Here are some tips to help you find the right home and not get caught up in the moment. You don’t want to move into a home only to find out it really doesn’t fit your needs.

1. Get pre-qualified with a lender. This is really your fist and most important step in selecting a home. If you start looking at homes in the that are worth $300K only to find out a bank will only give you a loan for $200K it is hard to lower your expectations. Knowing what you can afford first will make it easier to find the right home in the long run.
2. Make a list. Before you look make a list of items that are REQUIREMENTS in a home (ie: number of bedrooms, number of living areas, school district, etc). Then make a list of items that are EXTRAS (lot size, number of bathrooms, pool, etc). There are many different features in a home. Some will be necessary while others will be added luxury. A home loaded with amenities is easy to get excited about but you may find that it might not truly meet your needs. It is important to find a home that meets most of your requirements first before worrying about the extras.
3. Take notes on the homes as you go through them. You will find that the more houses you look at the harder it will be to remember them. They will all begin to look the same and you will find that you just don’t remember things about the homes that you wish you did. It is also helpful to keep track of you top 3 favorites throughout the showings. Ask your self with each house where it ranks in the list of houses you looked at. This will help you remember the ones you like and help eliminate the rest. Homes that do not fulfill your list of REQUIREMENTS should also be eliminated.
4. Be aware of the house and surrounding neighborhood. Be aware of the location, the neighborhood, the neighbors, and the house itself. You may love the house but you suddenly notice the neighbor has not maintained his home you may decide that it is not the house for you after all. All these items could easily contribute to a potential for a hard re-sale. If possible eliminate all hard re-sales. If you cannot eliminate the house and the location is less then desirable be prepared for a hard time selling it in the future.
5. Talk to the neighbors. The neighbors are a great way to get a better sense of the community. Meeting the neighbors is also a great way to find out if anyone knows anything about the house that could give you an advantage when putting in your offer. Side Tip: Be sure to ask those neighbors if they know why the owners are moving. And ask what do they think of the neighbors and the neighborhood. These items are not only informative but could help you get a better deal on the home.
6. Drive the route. Drive to work and to the house during different hours of the day. This will give you an idea of what type of traffic you will be facing. It will also help you gauge access to freeways and the community. Be sure the house fits in the parameters of what you need for work commutes and/or any other special needs.
7. See it again. Do another walk through before making an offer. Look at the walls, ceilings, in the closets, walk the exterior, and get a copy of the seller’s disclosure notice (if available in your state). All offers should reflect the house in its present condition. You do not want to make an offer only to realize that you came in too high due to a condition issue that was clearly visible.