Looking for a home can be very challenging and also very stressful. Your home is the biggest investment you’re likely to make which makes the process very difficult. Everyone’s home buying experience is going to be different, but with the right amount of preparation, you should have no problem finding your dream property. If you’re about to start your own house-hunting challenge here’s a useful guide.
- Get Your Mortgage Pre-Approved – if you know how much your lender is prepared to lend you it’s going to help narrow down the number of properties to view. It also helps you set a budget. With a pre-approval letter already in your hand, the time between making an offer and closing becomes much shorter.
- Set Your Budget – the temptation is to max out your budget because you want a home with certain features. There may be unexpected expenses further down the line so try to be cautious and conservative when setting your budget.
- Don’t Expect Perfection – the chance of finding the perfect property are virtually nil. The only way you’ll achieve perfection is to design and build it yourself. Finding a property that’s under budget means you’ll be able to fix some of the features you don’t quite like.
- Find a Reputable Realtor – finding a good realtor to work with is important. You could simply pick the first name that appears on a Google search, but you’re much better off doing some research and finding a realtor that cares about their clients. Pezzini Luxury Homes, for example, operates in the Los Angeles area. You can find out more by visiting their website.
- Research the Area – you’ll be able to ask your realtor for advice, but there’s nothing wrong with doing your own research. What are you looking for in an area? Would you like it to be easy to commute? Is the proximity to excellent schools a priority? When you’ve narrowed down your list of potential properties, spend some time looking around the area on your own. You’ll get a much better feel for a neighborhood if you experience it in person.
- What are the Essential Features? – one of the most helpful things you can do is make a list of ‘must have’ features. Think about the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Whether you want to be located on a busy street. What features would be necessary in the kitchen? Don’t forget to think about the outside of the property as well.
- Don’t be Worried About Making a Second Visit – thanks to the internet it’s possible to take a virtual tour of many different properties. The first visit to any properties will be an opportunity to wander around the property and get a general feel for it but don’t be embarrassed to ask for a second view. This is when you’ll be able to look much closer and examine things you might have missed before. It’s also the perfect time to think about the cost of any repairs or improvements.
There are a lot of things to consider when buying a home, but if you take it slowly and carefully explore all your options, you’ll find it much easier to recognize your dream home when you see it.
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