5 Tips For Finding The Perfect Home

Ready to find your perfect home? Before shopping, get a head start by using these tips to complete some important legwork early on.

Buying a home can be both exciting and overwhelming. According to the National Association of Realtors®, the typical homebuyer searches for more than eight weeks before finding the right house.

What should you consider when looking for a home, and how can you be efficient in your search? Keep reading for our top five recommendations.

Top Five Recommendations

1. What’s Your ‘Dream Home’?

Knowing what you want your home to look like before starting your search can narrow down your list and save you time. With so many things to consider, a good starting point is determining what type and style of home you prefer. Do you want a condo, townhouse, single-level home, or multi-level home? Is a modern or ranch-style home appealing to you?

2. Start Your Search Online

Begin your search online to get a sense of how location, the age of the home, size, and different variables affect costs. You’ll be able to see how long a home has been on the market, any price fluctuations, and the property tax history on a resale home.

However, don’t be quick to discard options in this initial stage. If there’s something you don’t like in a home, make note of it and use these criteria when examining other homes.

3. Know Your Budget

Before starting your search, it’s important to set a budget. Buying a house requires both an investment and commitment. Make sure to get pre-qualified for a loan before going out to look at houses – this will give you an idea of what your price range is. You’ll also want to calculate the funds you have available for a down payment and closing costs. Getting your finances in order will make the buying process smoother and contribute to understanding how much home you can afford.

4. Establish Must Haves & Deal-Breakers

Create a list of all the things you must have in your new home. But don’t get stuck on the small stuff, you can always change out appliances, paint, or lay down new flooring. Think about how many bedrooms and bathrooms you’d like to have? New build or resale home? Square footage? Lot size? Location?

Knowing where you’re willing to compromise can help narrow your search. For example, are you willing to drive a bit further to work in order to be in a certain school district? While you may be excited about a home, be realistic about how living there will affect other areas of your life.

Also, don’t forget to think about future needs in addition to your present ones. Will you need space for your family to grow? How about a yard for the dog you’ve always wanted?

5. Work With A Real Estate Agent

Online is a great place to start your search, but nothing can replace the local expertise of an experienced real estate agent. An active and licensed agent can help you find listings, negotiate on your behalf, refer services as needed, submit offers, and walk you through the entire process.

When enlisting the help of a real estate agent, keep in mind it’s standard practice for the seller to pay the agent’s commission fee, so buyers can solicit their service without worrying about the costs. However, it’s always a good idea to verify because mortgage regulations can quickly change.

Summary

No matter what type of home you’re looking for, the above recommendations are sure to help make the process of finding your perfect home easier.