The market is on fire right now. The inventory is low. How will you find your dream house? During the busy months of spring, a lot of the best homes fly off of the market in no more than a few days to a few weeks. Is it a magical agent making this happen? No. Homes that are well priced and updated are a hot commodity. Right now there is a shortage of these homes and you must be vigilant to find what you are looking for before someone grabs it out from under you.
If you think that you are ready to start looking there are a few ways to set yourself up for success.
1. Figure out what you want to spend. The last thing that you want to do is start shopping for homes, fall in love, and realize that the home you want is out of reach. The best way to get started is to talk to a new mortgage brokers and get an idea of what types of financing you are eligible for and what dollar amount you want to spend. Get a pre-qualification letter – you will need it to be able to make an offer. Don’t even start looking without one.
2. Develop your Home Wish List. You would be amazed that when you start shopping for homes you may realize that what you thought you wanted…Isn’t what you want at all. Now I’m going to tell you something that you may not want to hear –there is a very good chance that the house you end up with doesn’t have everything on your list. BEREALISTIC. When you send your agent a list of20 “MUST HAVES” and they send you a list backend one is missing the garage, one is missing the finished basement, etc. Your agent really just wants to give you every option. Chances are, even though you are convinced that you need everything on that list, you will fall in love with something that doesn’t have everything on that list.
3. Decide where you want to live. Do you know exactly what city you would like to be in? Is your drive time an issue? Do you need to be close to freeway? Be as open as you can to see the greatest number of options. I always encourage my clients to really explore their full list of likes – long or short– to really make sure that they explore every option. Is it a long day or two or three for all of us? Sure. Do I know that my clients are happy in the end? Yes, Always. Once you are in the car driving it is a whole different world from when you were sitting at home with your laptop looking at pictures.
4. Start saving. There are many costs associated with a home purchase; Inspections, appraisals, moving costs, furnishing your home. Ideally, you should have 20% of the purchase price set aside for down-payment, but some lenders allow as little as5% down. One of the benefits of buying in our areas the availability of RD loans that allow zero down. A small down-payment preserves your savings for emergencies and furnishing or updating the home that you choose.
When you are ready to shop for a home it pays to find an agent that takes the time to listen to what you need, will help you shop to find it, and will work hardtop negotiate and guide you through to the end of the sale. Don’t settle for someone who only handles onside of the sale, choose someone who will have your back through the good and the bad of the job. Find qualified professional in your area and get started with your spring shopping today!
If you have any questions that you would like met answer for you in the next edition, please email to SOLD@jenniferlasco.com
Jennifer Lasco Your local Real Estate Expert | http://jenniferlasco.com
Always with the happiest clients on the block.
