Think About What You Want
The initial stages of buying a home often involve thinking about this purchase. Thinking about what you really want in a home will help you determine what features to look for as you start shopping. Talking to a real estate agent about your needs and desires is also a great initial step to take.
Speaking to an agent will help you know what you should look for in a house, and this conversation will open up more options for you to think about. Here are some of the top things the agent will talk to you about:
- Location. The location of your house matters for many reasons, including safety and commute distance to and from your job.
- Size. The size of the house you want also matters, and size includes both square footage and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Additional features. Do you want a house with a big yard, a basement, or a shed? Your agent might consider these additional features to add to your list.
- Age and condition. While some people want a new house that needs no work at all, others want homes that are older and need some work put into them.
Additionally, an agent can help you learn more about what details to look for and which ones to ignore. For example, an agent might recommend ignoring paint colors on the walls. Wall paint is something you can easily replace when you buy a house. Therefore, the color of the paint should not be a huge factor in your final decision.
Use a House-Hunting Checklist
Once you know what you want, your agent will help you find homes that meet your needs. Keep in mind, it’s hard to find a home that offers everything you want. However, agents can find homes that are very close to what you want. You may need to view a few homes or dozens of homes during this process, and your agent may recommend using a house-hunting checklist.
A house-hunting checklist
is a form you can print out and use with each home you view. You may want to print out a dozen forms when you start viewing homes — just so you can have a form for each house you see. This form is something you will fill out as you view a home. It contains important features to look for, and it contains blanks or boxes for you to fill out.
The purpose of a house-hunting checklist is to help you remember all the details of each house you view. You may not think you will confuse the homes you see, but it can become difficult to remember each one — especially after viewing a lot of different houses for sale.
Evaluate and Compare the Homes
After viewing a lot of different houses, you might have narrowed your choice down to just one or two. From there, you may need to carefully compare and evaluate the checklists for each of these homes to make a decision.
Choosing the right house is not always easy, especially if you really like two or three houses. If you have questions or are not sure which to choose, talk to your real estate agent for help and advice.
If you want to buy a house, choosing a good real estate agent is a necessity, and you can hire one by contacting Heritage Realty & Property Management. We can help you through the entire home-buying process, and we will help you choose the best home for your needs, budget, and lifestyle.
