With so many homes out there, finding your perfect place may seem a little overwhelming at times. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to help ensure you have an enjoyable home buying experience. With some planning and assistance, you can find just what you’re looking for, be it starter home, forever home, or something in between.
1. Write a wish list.
Have you ever seen the show House Hunters? The home buyers carefully prepare a wish list before beginning their search, then head out to browse properties that meet their criteria. The beauty of house hunting is you can tour properties to get a better idea of what’s out there, plus begin to prioritize your wants and needs. Ask yourself a few questions:
What’s your price point? How much space do you need? Are you looking for a certain type of community – perhaps waterfront or golf course? Do you want to be able to customize options like floorplan or finishes?
Thinking through these options will help simplify your search. Put your vision in ink.
2. Get pre-approved so you know how much you can afford.
There’s no reason to spend your time looking at homes that exceed your budget. If you’re looking to determine a comfortable budget, you can turn to mortgage advisors who can tell you where you stand financially. Greg Hively, Senior Mortgage Advisor for Waterstone Mortgage Corporation, suggests buyers zero in on a builder and determine what they want before heading out to tour homes and communities. Greg often sends articles like this to assist buyers with the loan process.
If you choose to build, you will be choosing options such as counter tops, cabinets and flooring in the design center. Barbara LePlante, Design Center Coordinator for ICI Homes, says that you can guarantee to sticking to your budget if you know what you can afford. You may love that Uba Tuba granite, so having a reasonable allowance ensures your home is appointed with all your “can’t live without” options.
3. Narrow down the search.
After touring several properties, homes can start to blend together. Simplify your house hunting by filling out a home tour checklist. A checklist notates location, size, price and highlights of the home. By having all your potential buys lined up in one place, it’s easier to compare properties to determine your favorite.
4. Make Your Decision
You have written up a wish list, determined your budget, and toured properties. Now comes the fun part – deciding which home you like best! After thinking through your ideal home and a little bit of planning, you can rest easy you have found your perfect home. Happy hunting!
