How do you choose the right home for you and your family? When starting the process, you’ll have a ton of thoughts running through your head, so today I’m breaking down the five most essential steps to help you find the best house:
1. Make a list of your wants and needs. A need is something you must have, so if you have three kids, you likely need more than two bedrooms. I recommend not having more than three needs on your list. A want is something that would be great to have, but it won’t change the deal if you don’t get it. For example, you may want a three-car garage, but if you can’t get that, it’s not a deal-breaker.
2. Find out which location is best for you. What’s most vital to you about the location? Is it a shorter commute to work? Do you want to be in a particular school district? Do you want to be close to family and friends? Consider these questions to help pinpoint a location.
“If you see a photo that doesn’t appeal to you, don’t rule the property out immediately.”
3. Ask a lot of questions about the home. Some of the most crucial questions are about big-ticket items. How old is the heating and air system? How old is the roof? These things are expensive to replace, so you don’t want to be obligated to do so right away after moving.
4. Keep an open mind. If you see a photo that doesn’t appeal to you, don’t rule the property out immediately. Look at the statistics and information about the home to see if it meets your needs. If it meets the needs on your list, it may be worth taking a closer look at the house.
5. Work with an experienced, dedicated agent. Your real estate agent should know the market and have insider knowledge about what’s going on in the area. They should have the right tools to keep you informed of the latest listings coming onto the market and be able to get you smoothly through the transaction once you’ve found the ideal property.
If you have any questions you’d like me to answer in future videos, please email me. If you have specific questions about your situation or real estate in general, call or email me. I look forward to hearing from you —I’d love to be your real estate resource.
