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Buyer
Tips
Finding
Your Dream Home
Shopping
for a house can be an overwhelming experience. You need
to focus on what you really want. Before you go out shopping
consider the following questions:
1.
Where do you want to live?
2. What sort of home and features are you looking for?
3. How much can you affort?
Where
do you want to live?
Think
about what type of needs you have and what sort of location
will help facilitate your lifestyle. If you have kids, are
there schools nearby, and if so, what are they like? What
sort of commute will you or your spouse have to work? Do
you want to be close to friends and family?
What
sort of home and features are you looking for?
What
do you want to see when you look out your window? Do you
want a home with a view or some property? What features
are you looking for in a house. Do you feel more comfortable
in a home with vaulted ceilings or do you like lots of divided
rooms? How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you want? Does
it matter whether the basement is finished or if your future
home has a deck?
When
you are out there trying to find a house that is perfect
for you and your family, it's a good idea to prepare a list
of all your needs, wants, and don't wants. An open mind
is helpful when shopping for a house, but you don't need
to compromise on the things you truly care about. Prioritize
your top 5 "must-have" qualities in a home, your
top 5 "like to have" qualities, and your top 5
"we absolutely don't want" qualities, and take
the list with you when you go house shopping. Rate the various
houses as you walk through them. This will help you to remember
which home had which feature. After spending an afternoon
touring through houses, they all start to blend together.You
will be able to quickly eliminate homes that don't fit your
needs and wants, and also be able to spot the homes that
deserve some greater attention.
How
much can you afford?
You'll
save yourself a lot of frustration by determining what price
range you're comfortable with before you start shopping.
It's so easy to get caught up in an emotional buy if you
don't have a set of guidelines to follow. When deciding
on a price range don't forget to factor in any upcoming
events that may affect your budget, changes in employment
or large purchases such as a car. Also add in closing costs
which may be estimated at about 2% of the purchase price.
Make
it easier on yourself by only touring homes within your
price range. It's also helpful to apply for a pre-qualified
mortgage ahead of time, and you'll know exactly how much
you can realistically afford.
Picture
Yourself
Before
you buy a home, you may do a lot of daydreaming about what
life will be like living there. You'll have to picture yourself
doing the everyday things. How is the commuting experience
going to be? What sounds will you be falling asleep to at
night? Can you picture yourself hosting Thanksgiving dinner
in that size dining room? These are questions you'll want
to answer before you move in.
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