Series - The home Buying Process Part 2

Now that you have your pre-approval; it’s time to shop!!!

This will probably be the most fun for you. Seeing a picture of the house is one thing, but, actually walking the home is really the only way to get a feel of the home to see if the best fit for you and your lifestyle. Make sure you know the location (neighborhood), number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and any amenities you are looking for. Determine the style of home - do you want a condo, or a single family home? How large or small of a home do you want? Or may be you want new construction vs an older home. Many first time home buyers want to see everything. Looking at homes is exciting! But…You have to stay focused on the ultimate goal - which is finding a home.

Although fun, house hunting can be overwhelming as well. I would recommend to see at most 4 to 5 homes in a day. Anything greater can become overwhelming. Homes begin to look the same. Keep in mind that not every home you look at will have EVERYTHING you are looking for. You have to know what you are willing to compromise on. While touring the home, write notes in a handbook of what you liked, didn’t like, what stood out to you, will it fit your lifestyle, does it need more work?

If you have a realistic list of what you are looking for; house hunting shouldn’t take several days or months. Remember, stay focused on what fits your budget, your lifestyle, and what you can compromise on. When I say compromise don’t get caught up on the paint color on the walls. Paint is easy and inexpensive. Also, you can always change the carpet. So don’t get hung up on these distractions. Keep your mind on the goal!

Now, that you have toured homes its time to narrow down to the one you want to make an offer on.

If you need help on creating a list of what to look for while house hunting, connect with me here.