2 Tips for Finding the Home of Your Dreams
When it comes to big decisions, purchasing your first home might top the list for most people. In addition to determining where you will live and where your kids will grow up, buying a home is one of the largest investments most people make in their lives. Fortunately, the process doesn't have to be intimidating if you know what to look for. Here are two tips for finding the home of your dreams.
1. Look Past the Details
Sometimes, when people start house hunting, they pay more attention to details like decorations, cleanliness, and smells than they do to the structural and interior condition of potential homes. Unfortunately, since every homeowner has a different standard of cleanliness, design aesthetic, and set of priorities, not being able to see past the details might mean that you pass up an excellent deal.
When you start home hunting, keep in mind that most of the homes that you see will be different than your ideal living situation. Remember that every home can be cleaned, redecorated, or even renovated to meet your needs. Instead, focus on the floor plan, the age of the home, the condition of the structural details, and the size and location of the lot. These factors play a much bigger role in the value of the home than details like the condition of the carpet or the color on the walls.
2. Expand Your Price Range Slightly
You might have your heart set on a $200,000 mortgage, but asking your real estate agent not to go over your golden number might cost you the home of your dreams. Because most real estate agents simply enter your budget into a search bar on the multiple listing service, not being flexible about the price could end up costing you a home that is slightly more than your maximum budget.
Instead, set general cost "goals" instead of stringent numbers. For example, tell your real estate agent that you would like to stay around $200,000, but that you would explore listings priced slightly over that number. This way, you won't miss out on nice homes that are priced at $205,000 or $210,000. Also, keep in mind that price is always negotiable, which means that your real estate agent might be able to convince the sellers to lower the price for a motivated buyer.
By being flexible and knowing what to look for in a new home, you might be able to secure the deal of a lifetime. Talk to a real estate agent like those at Keller Williams Realty Greater Northwest for more tips.