5 TIPS TO MAKE THE HOME BUYING EXPERIENCE FUN AND EFFICIENT

In Buyers by Doug Phelps

Buying a house should be fun.  It should also be an efficient use of a buyer’s time. And, it should be rewarding in finding that perfect place to call home.

This may sound like a tall order, but it doesn’t have to be.  Here are some simple suggestions to get the most out of your home buying experience:

Analyze your lifestyle

Create a list that reflects the lifestyle you want. Will you do more (or less) entertaining? Is yard work something you enjoy or something you want to eliminate? Do guests stay with you often? By identifying your lifestyle in detail, you help yourselves and your Realtor focus in on finding potential properties that best meet your needs.

Get pre-approved

Pre-approval is more than just quick pre-qualification. It’s an in-depth evaluation by a mortgage lender for a loan. This will keep you from wasting valuable time looking at homes you can’t afford, increase your negotiating position, and speed up the whole process.

Stick to your needs and requirements

It can be fun to look at more costly homes than you can afford. But save yourself the time and anguish in visiting these properties.  There is no point in falling in love with a home that you can’t afford. Also, as you visit a property and quickly determine it doesn’t meet your needs (or you just don’t like it), it’s ok to stop the tour. In fact, you don’t even have to start!

Keep a proper perspective

Professionally decorated new homes and staged resale homes are always appealing because they are clean, clutter-free, and beautifully styled. Be sure to analyze the living spaces regarding your family’s lifestyle. Don’t be completely turned off by the color of the carpeting, a dated paint, or other cosmetic items. Try to see the true features of the house and imagine what you’ll be able to do with it.

Take notes

It only takes two properties to begin the “mix and mismatch” game. In your head, you will start combining features of one house with features of another. To avoid this confusion, write down thoughts and feelings that come to you during the tour. This will make it easier to remember and accurately compare properties later.

Buying a house doesn’t have to be scary or intimidating. In fact, it can be a fun and efficient experience, especially if you follow the above tips.

Updated March 8th 2018

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