Buyers's Guide - The Quest

THE QUEST: FINDING YOUR HOME.

The search for a home that feels like “you” begins with knowing what you want from a home. Your “Needs” and “Wants” list can help you here and you should share that list with us early on in the process.

You probably have identified a few areas of town that you love – or can afford.  It’s a good idea for you to take a tour of these areas with us and visit homes at several price points in each area.  Drive back yourself at odd hours to get an idea of how the neighborhood looks when everyone is home after work, and to scope out local venues for shopping and entertainment.  You’ll know if it feels right to you.

• Always give your REALTOR® plenty of notice when arranging a time to view property.  This gives us sufficient time to make appointments and plan for contingencies.
• Remember that when you are looking at a property, most of the time you are in someone’s home. 
• Speaking of being in someone’s home…  Remember that the furnishings and decorations are theirs, and they can make a property look a lot better than it really is OR a lot worse.  Try to look beyond the furnishings and paint colors.  After all, you’ll be bringing your own style and personality to your new home.
• Typically the sellers will not be present, but if circumstances don’t allow them to leave, keep your comments to yourself until after you leave the property.  You never want to let a seller hear your positive comments – because they’ll think that you will pay full price.   Negative comments are a different story – but these can be saved to share with us after you leave the property.
• Be prepared for surprises.  You may THINK you have to have 2,000 square feet, but then see a smaller home that you just LOVE.
• Don’t buy the first house you see.  Even if you love it.  See some others and make sure it’s the right choice compared to other properties on the market.
• Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find your perfect home the first week.  Maybe your perfect home is not on the market yet. 
• Remember that it usually takes 30 days to close on a property after you find it, so you should start house hunting about a month to a month and a half before that 30 day window arrives.  Otherwise you might feel rushed and pressured, which is a terrible way to feel when making such a big decision.
• It’s OK to change your mind.  Sometimes the process of house hunting solidifies what people are really looking for in their minds.  Just tell us what your new thoughts are and go from there.
• Have fun.  Yes, it’s a tiring process, but when else do you get to go walk through all kinds of homes that don’t belong to you?