When to Start Home Shopping: 3 Tips

Don't Wait Forever For... The One

A lot of people choose their dream home at the wrong time. Either they jump in way too early - without a mortgage pre-approval or the proper finances to fund a home - or way too late when other offers have taken up all the inventory. Don't drive yourself crazy searching for the home of your dreams. We are here to help you do it the right way. In an effort to help you decide whether it's a good time for you to choose the home of your dreams, here are three tips to consider before you start home-shopping.

1. Set Realistic Expectations

Remember, there is no such thing as "the perfect" home. Every home you view will have at least one drawback or not-so-desirable aspect, so it's important to set reasonable expectations. Make a list of the things you absolutely need, the parts of a house you want, and aspects of a house that would make it your dream home. Try to rate each feature on a scale of 1 to 10 so you can make sure you know what's most important.

2. Shop Around, But Not Too Much

It's easy and fun, for a lot of people, to overdo it when it comes to house-hunting. Whether you view online listings or hit the open house circuit, viewing too many homes may confuse you. Set a limit for yourself. Once you reach that limit, make a list of pros and cons for each home to help you make a decision you'll be happy with for years to come.

3. Be Willing to Make Compromises

Sometimes making the final decision will be difficult - and we understand that. Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions of your life. If there was one thing not to compromise on, it's location. If you find a home with a great location, but other drawbacks, it might suit you to choose that home over one with all the bells and whistles in a distant or less-desirable location. If you don't know how to make that decision or need help determining the right location for you, team up with your real estate agent or other home-buying advisor to help make the right move.

If you have any questions about buying a home, contact us today or fill out the form below! We are always here for you!