A home is probably the biggest purchase you’ll make in your lifetime, so you’ll want it to be as perfect as possible. Finding your dream home is an exciting adventure – one that can take a long time but is very well worth it in the end. Like any adventure worth having, however, it requires plenty of planning, legwork, and patience when you want to get the home you want faster.
Here are some pointers on how to find the home of your dreams.
Know what to look for
This is probably the most important step. You need to have a good idea of what you want in a home and the lifestyle you dream of having. Likewise, you should know what you can afford.
Start by making a list of what’s important to you. Do you want to live in a particular neighborhood in a certain town? Do you want a large or small yard? Is a pool important to you? How many bedrooms and baths do you want? When you’ve completed this list, look it over and decide which items are needs and which are wants. The needs are the things you must have in your home. Everything else becomes something that is nice to have, but you can live without. You’re going to look for homes that fit your list of needs, and hopefully, most or all of your wants.
Get pre-approved and set a budget
Mortgage pre-approval will give you a clear idea of how much home you can afford. In a pre-approval, the lender will assess your finances, including your credit report, to determine the maximum loan amount you will likely qualify for. You can use this amount in setting your budget and narrowing your home search based on this budget.
While you may want a home with all the bells and whistles, never lose sight of your finances and what you can comfortably afford. You may choose a property priced at or close to your maximum pre-approved amount, but make sure to look into the bigger picture, as well. Consider other expenses, such as home maintenance, insurance, property taxes, HOA fees, and others. If you have outstanding debts like a car or student loan, you need to factor these into your monthly expenses as well.
Find a Realtor
Find an agent to help you look for the right home and guide you through the buying process. Provide them with your list of needs and wants to guide them in identifying potential properties. Choose someone with knowledge and experience in the area you’re interested in.
Shop for your dream home
This is the fun part – as long as you take it slow. Looking at too many houses in too short a time can become a chore. The houses will all start to look the same. Use your phone to document your visits to each home. Take a photograph of the outside of the home, and then everything you see that you like. Use the listing sheet to make notes as you walk through each home.
Make the decision
It’s time. You’ve gone through potential homes and narrowed them down to two or three contenders. Now, you must make a final decision. Which one will it be? It’s up to you. By choosing with a clear mind, you can be assured that whichever home comes out on top will be the house you’ve always dreamed of owning.
With their experience and local expertise, The PagnottaHomes Team can help you find your dream home and make the process enjoyable. Call them at 908.436.7947 or send an email to info(at)pagnottahomes(dotted)com.