Once you are comfortable with your home budget and I have an understanding of what you need in a home, what you want, and what you would love to have, I will begin sleuthing in the MLS for homes that meet that criteria.
Here are some details that I would like to know for our initial meeting:
- Where do you want to live? How flexible is that and how far away from that center are you willing to be?
- Do you have requirements for number of bedrooms and bathrooms?
- Are there other rooms or spaces you need such as an office or playroom?
- Do you want a yard? How much yard? Do you need grass or a fence?
- Do you have animals? What kind, how many, and how large?
- Is there anything that you cannot or prefer not to have around you? This might include a dairy or farmland or perhaps an area that is noisy during certain parts of the day.
- Are there special events or activities that need to be taken into consideration?
- Is there a specific style of home that you are drawn to dislike?
- Do you have a preference for the age of the home?
- Are you looking for a condo/townhome or a stand-alone house?
- Do you require parking? How many spots?
- Do you need additional storage? About how many square feet?
There are a number of other questions I will ask, but this is a great place for you to get started as you are getting prepared and getting pre-approved.
Your Home Search Strategy:
During the home search think with your head, not your heart. Curb appeal can be a powerful force. It’s the buyer’s kryptonite. By disengaging the mental faculties, it leaves the homebuyer emotionally vulnerable. To counter its effect, you must be objective. Brutally objective.
Look at many homes, including an assortment of types of homes. When you view a property, list the positives and the negatives. Make certain your furniture will comfortably fit into the space. Visit at various times of day to see how much natural light floods the rooms and check for changes in traffic patterns, especially at local rush hours. Have an inspector or engineer pick apart the property. And recruit a friend to view the home and provide you with objective feedback. Ask if he or she can picture your family living there and discuss the whys and why-nots. Jot down the points for later review.
Also, think about how long you plan to own the house. Would it be difficult to resell? List the negatives. Could you eliminate or reduce them?
Use your head and you will secure an investment that you can live in and enjoy for years to come!
