Property Search and My Listings
Benefits for a Home Buyer
You should buy a home. That's what you've been hearing from friends and family, right? So, by now you have likely already weighed the benefits and decided that home ownership was the best decision for you. That's a major hurdle now passed. You are focused and certain. Good.
First Step - Speaking with a Mortgage Consultant
Your first step should be to speak with a mortgage person. He or she will discuss your financing options and provide you with a range of mortgage products that work within your budget. This is also very important so you can get a better understanding of what costs are incurred when purchasing a home. After your discussion with the mortgage consultant you should be provided with a pre-approval letter that states the amount you qualify for and basic terms of the potential loan.
Defining Search Parameters for Home Buyers
Almost 80% of all home searches today begin on the Internet. With just a few clicks of the mouse, home buyers can search through hundreds of online listings, view virtual tours, and sort through dozens of photographs and aerial shots of neighborhoods and homes. You've probably defined your goals and have a pretty good idea of the type of home and neighborhood you want. By the time you reach your real estate agent's office, you are halfway to home ownership.
How Long Should It Take to Buy a Home?
In a seller's market, often I show only one home. After all, how many homes does one family need? In a buyer’s market, 7-10 days, since there is typically a larger inventory to compare. A few buyers will look for years, but buyers who do that aren't motivated. A motivated buyer will find a home within two weeks. Most of my buyers find a home within two showing days.
Good real estate agents will listen to your wants and needs and arrange to show only those homes that fit your particular parameters. Once you find the home it can take 45-90 days until you close and the home is yours.
How Many Homes Will a Home Buyer See?
Studies show that your memory dramatically improves after consumption of carbs and slows upon consuming sugar. So, lay off the soft drinks and have a hearty meal of carbs before venturing out to tour homes. The average number of homes that I show to a buyer in one day is seven. Any more than that and the brain is on overload. Therefore, don't expect to see 20 or 30 homes; although it's physically possible to do so, you probably will not remember specific details about any of them.
The "Red Shoes" Experience for a Home Buyer
Women will relate to this. Say, you need a new pair of red shoes. You go to the mall. At the first shoe store, you find a fabulous pair of red shoes. You try them on. They fit perfectly. They are glamorous…Priced right, too. Do you buy them? Of course not! You go to every other store in the mall trying on red shoes until you are ready to drop from exhaustion. Then you return to the first store and buy those red shoes. Do not shop for a home this way. When you find the perfect home, buy it.
How a Home Buyer Can Rate Inventory
· Bring a digital camera and begin each series of photos with a close-up of the house number to identify where each group of home photos start and end.
· Take copious notes of unusual features, colors and design elements.
· Pay attention to the home's surroundings. What is next door? Do 2-story homes tower over your single story?
· Do you like the location? Is it near a park or a power plant?
· Immediately after leaving, rate each home on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.
View Top Choices a Second Time Before Buying That First Home
After touring homes for a few days, you will probably instinctively know which one or two homes you would like to buy. Ask to see them again. You will see them with different eyes and notice elements that were overlooked the first go-around.
At this point, your agent should call the listing agents to find out more about the sellers' motivation and to double-check that an offer hasn't come in, making sure these homes are still available to purchase.
Making the Selection To Buy a Home
I'll let you in on a little secret. You will just know the moment you walk into the home that’s right for you. It's an intuition. A good agent will also know which home a buyer is going to choose. But I make it a practice not to steer buyers, and I insist that buyers choose the home without interference from me. It's not my choice to make.
Real estate agents are required, however, to point out defects and should help buyers feel confident that the home selected meets the buyer's search parameters.
Search for Properties and View My Listings
