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Find
a real estate professional who is the right fit for you.
Home buying is not only a
big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s
critical that the Realtor® you choose is both skilled
and a good fit with your personality.
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Timing
the market.
There is no "right" time to buy anymore than
there is a right time to sell. If you find a home now,
don’t try to second-guess the interest rates or the
housing market by waiting. Changes don’t usually
occur fast enough to make that much difference in price
and a good home won’t stay on the market long. See
article on trying
to time the real estate market.
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The
most important opinion is your own. It’s natural
to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many
ideas will make it much harder to make a decision. Don’t
ask for too many opinions and trust your own instincts.
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The
Big Picture.
Accept that no house is ever going to be perfect. Pay
attention to the things that are most important to you
and let the minor things go. Make the decision based on
whether you would be happy in the home.
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Keep
negotiations realistic.
Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process,
but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low
price may lose you the home you love and although the
difference may sound like a lot, it may be an insignificant
difference over the life of a 30 year mortgage.
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Remember
your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of
the house: room size, kitchen, floors, etc. that you forget
such issues as amenities, noise level, neighborhood, etc.
that have a big impact on what it’s like to live
in your new home.
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Get
pre-qualified or pre-approved.
Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made
an offer to get approved for a mortgage. Not only is getting
pre-qualified quick and easy, but there is no obligation.
Finding out how much you can afford, whether your credit
could use some repairing, and what your monthly payments
might be, is a significant step toward buying a house
and making the process less stressful.
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Factor
in maintenance and repair costs in your post home-buying
budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be
some costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your
home deteriorate.
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Accept
that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will
probably pass.
Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big
commitment, but it also yields big benefits. It is common
to question your decision but in the long run, home ownership
is usually a fantastic opportunity.
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Choose
a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation.
A home’s most important role is as a comfortable,
safe place to live. With the increases in value in the
early 2000's, people have begun to think of their home
strictly as a way to make money. Make sure your home is
something that you'll enjoy living in for a long time.
