by Sandy Dodge –
How to find your ideal home in just four steps? Whether youāre a first-time homebuyer or you currently own and are looking for a new home, the ideas below will help you better navigate that all-important first step: Finding a property that is both appealing and affordable.
The search for a new home always starts out with a lot of excitement. But if you havenāt prepared, frustration can soon set in, especially in a competitive real estate market. The biggest mistake is jumping into a search unfocused, just hoping to āsee whatās available.ā Instead, we recommend you first take some time to work through the four steps below.
Step 1: Talk to your agent
Even if youāre just thinking about buying or selling a house, start by consulting your real estate agent. An agent can give you an up-to-the-minute summary of the current real estate market, as well as mortgage industry trends. They can also put you in touch with all the best resources and educate you about the next steps, plus much more. If you are interested in finding more information, you are welcome to contact us.
Step 2: Decide how much home you can afford
It may sound like a drag to start your home search with a boring financial review, but when all is said and done, youāll be glad you did. With so many people competing to buy what is available, itās far more efficient to focus your search on the properties you can afford. A meeting or two with a reputable mortgage agent should tell you everything you need to know.
Step 3: Envision your future
Typically, it takes at least five years for a home purchase to start paying off financiallyāwhich meansāthe better your new home suits you, the longer youāll most likely remain living there.
Thinking of your near future, what life events do you anticipate in the next five or six years? If youāre planning to add to the family or change careers, or even rent out a portion of your home to others, share this information with your real estate agent. They will be able to help you evaluate your current and future needs to help find the best home that you can grow into.
Step 4: Visualize your ideal home
When it comes to this step, be realistic. Itās easy to get carried away dreaming about all the home features you want. Try listing everything on a piece of paper, then choose the five āmust-haves,ā and the five āreally-wants.ā
For more tips, as well as advice geared specifically to your situation, you are welcome to connect with us by clicking here.