Here’s our biggest advice: take note that our first THREE tips are before you even step foot in a house! This will save you time, headaches, and heartaches! From there, we wish you smooth sailing...
- Hire a real estate agent. It’s ZERO additional cost to you as the buyer, and it will make your life much, much easier! They will be your go-to real estate expert in your home buying process. As real estate agents, we represent YOU and have your best interests at heart during every step of the way. Go with someone who you trust will be your biggest advocate.
- Get pre-approved. The last thing you want to do is start touring homes that are out of your budget or will have you living uncomfortably beyond your means. Especially when the market is competitive with homes receiving multiple offers, you want to position yourself as a quality buyer with a quality offer. Don’t be shy about asking your real estate agent for a referral to a lender they trust and comes recommended! We LOVE giving out referrals for professionals we’ve worked with in the past and have established an efficient, reliable relationship with!
- Open a savings account. Start putting cash aside, saving for all those “extra expenses” that may come up during your home buying process, at closing, or afterwards such as any upgrades or repairs you’d like to make to your new home!
- Widen your search. Perhaps you’re set on a specific school district or neighborhood.
- Keep your search range slightly below your budget. In the event of price wars and multiple offers in a hot market, you may have to offer above asking price to deliver a competitive offer to the sellers!
- Identify your needs VS wants. Make a list. Check it twice, and stick to it! Be honest with yourself and/or your partner and know what is absolutely necessary for your lifestyle and what is superfluous or can be added on later! Just because society says a dishwasher is a must-have item, is it really? Is that a deal-breaker for you? Take a step back and decide what’s right for you. NOT what others say is right for you.
- Identify your must-haves. Now that you’ve identified your needs VS wants (see above!), you can itemize those non-negotiable qualities you’re looking for in your next home. These are your deal breakers! Keep it short and sweet, and easy to remember. Think of this as your “mantra” for house hunting as you’re touring homes and looking through pictures online! This will protect one of your most valuable resources: time. Saving time by avoiding looking at houses that don’t have your magic must-haves will save you time NOW, and in the long term.
- Have an open mind and open heart. Buying a house can be emotional. It’s easy to fall hard and fast for a home and truly visualize yourself living there. Kindly remind any “love at first sight” feelings to stay balanced with the logical decisions you made when you identified your needs VS your wants. This will help you remain focused, while still honoring your inner compass’ true north intuition.
- Visualize beyond clutter, furniture, and paint colors. If any of these tips could be on repeat in your brain while you’re touring homes, we’d choose this one! Sometimes a seller’s design taste doesn’t match yours, it’s difficult to see yourself living there. As humans, we’re visual creatures. Remember that these are all cosmetic, easy fixes that can be made. Stay focused on the bones of the house, the layout, the floorplan, etc. And remember: If throwing on an old t-shirt and sweatpants while hosting a home-painting party with friends isn’t your thing, you can always hire a painter before moving in. (Be sure to start adding more funds to your special savings account! See number 3 above if you already forgot ;)
- Perfection is a barrier between you and your dream home. Is there really such thing as a perfect home? WIthout philosophising about the origin and our culture’s preoccupation with “perfection,” remind yourself that sometimes the perfect home is what YOU will make of it. Whether that’s doing the work yourself or hiring it out, it can be done if it’s what you want. Home is where...you are.
...and in the event your “smooth sailing” experience comes across stormy weather and choppy waves...that’s what tip #1 is there for.
