BUYING A HOME
Tips, some Facts, and Information
Almost 80% of home buyers begin their search on the Internet. With a few clicks of their mouse, potential buyers can view information, photos, and take virtual tours of available listings all from the privacy of their own home, with no agent present. Aerial shots of neighborhoods, city information, and statistics are all available to the consumer to narrow their search before it is necessary to contact an agent. While many agents applaud their knowledge of communities and local resources to aid their clients, most people still prefer to conduct general searches on their own, before scouting out properties with Real Estate Specialists.
A good Real Estate Agent will listen to your wants and needs, as well as acknowledge your concerns, before showing you any properties. After all, it is your desire that is feeding the need to search for that perfect home, condominium, or vacation property.
Be prepared to "Look" like a pro...
Forget that candy bar and soft drink before you go house hunting. Sugar has proven to reduce your memory's ability. Instead eat a meal full of carbs before you hit the road. Carbohydrates improve your memory's capabilities. Don't expect to view a dozen homes in one day either. Even if there are a number of homes that fit your wants, limit the number you want to see in a week. This will help you to distinguish one home from the next, keeping your thoughts on each listing straight. Do make sure your agent has provided you with the listing or information sheet that has photos on each property. Make notes as you walk through each listing, citing the positives and negatives, for the interior, exterior, location, and surrounding area. Use your own "code words" that will jog your memory for each piece of property. After leaving, rate each property on a scale of 1-10. Smiley faces of course, are always encouraged.
Shopping: Homes vs. Purses
You enter the first store, and immediately are drawn to the perfect little black bag for that special occasion next Saturday. You "try" it on, inspect yourself in the mirror (smile of course), and give the purse a nod of approval. Back to the salesperson you hand the purse, and you head to the next store. You have a mental image of that perfect purse embedded in your brain as you continue shopping, eat a fattening lunch (remember- carbs not sugar!), and after a few exhausting hours you finally call it quits. 20+ purses have been slung over your shoulder, countless "Thank You's" spoken to sales personnel, and you end up back at that first store, buying the perfect purse you found in the first 5 minutes of shopping.
DO NOT SHOP FOR HOMES THIS WAY!
In fact, the "Man's" way of shopping, which would have resulted in buying the perfect purse in the first five minutes and fleeing the store is the manner to approach Property Buying. While you want to be selective, and reassured that you are drawing up a contract on the perfect home for you, Purse Shopping has one major difference from Property Buying. Stores carry multiple little, black purses. Properties are one of a kind. By the time you spend a week or perhaps two looking at all the other homes, comparing them to that one first, perfect home, it could already be under contract. If you thought that home was perfect, chances are someone else will too. Now, this is not to say "Jump without looking". Don't be impulsive. But if the characteristics of the property is what you want, the criteria is all there, and the price is right- better get a move on, before someone else does. A second look, is always recommended. The market, whether it is saturated, or sparse, also needs to be taken into consideration when deciding your timeline for deciding on that perfect home.
Most Importantly....
Always remember, you are the client, you call the shots, an agent is there for advice, and guidance. Never feel pressured or ignored.
