Tips to Simplify Your Home Search
Making the decision to purchase a home can be a bit overwhelming. Finding the perfect home, getting a mortgage and dealing with real estate agents, mortgage brokers and venders is enough to make anyone crazy. Hopefully these tips will help make your search a little easier.
Getting Prepared
- Get a preapproved mortgage so you’ll have an idea of your price range. Looking at houses for sale that are out of your price range is a recipe for disappointment.
- Make a list of what is important to you in a home. Are you primarily concerned with space? If so you may want to look at older homes which usually cost less per square foot than new construction. If you like to cook make sure a spacious kitchen is on your list. A list will help you stay focused during your search so you’re not distracted by amenities you don’t need.
- Visit open houses to get an idea of what you are looking for in a home or apartment.
- Be realistic, a new construction home may not be available in the older parts of town. If you are dead set on something you may have to make a few concessions in other areas.
- Work with a real estate agent. A real estate agent will know the area and the local market best. A real estate agent can also let you know if you have realistic expectations before you waste your time looking for a home that just doesn’t exist.
Starting Your Search
- Look online, most homes for sale are advertised on the internet and include photos and maps of the area. Looking at real estate listings online will help to narrow your search and save your gas. Your real estate agent can even email real estate listings directly to you. Homes for sale by owner are frequently posted online as well.
- Make sure you have enough time to really look at a home or wait until later. Looking at a home when you’re in a hurry can cause you to overlook both positive and negative features.
- Bring a notebook with you when you look at homes and take notes on the things you like and dislike – afterwards you can use your notes to compare homes and narrow down your choices.
Making Your Final Decision
- Once you have narrowed your search down to a few homes make sure you visit at different times of the day and night. You may find out about loud neighbors, dogs that bark all night or some other detraction from the property.
- Talk to the neighbors. Neighbors have insights into the area like only a local does. You may find out about a tucked away park or plans for a development that might increase traffic.
- Drive around the area to make sure you are in close enough proximity to stores, restaurants and other business.
- If possible go by during a rain storm to find out about potential flooding issues. Even if the home itself is fine the streets around it may flood.
- Check for the energy rating which is available for a large portion of the real estate in Canada. A higher energy rating means lower electric bills.
- If you are moving to a condominium or apartment community check into the subdivision restrictions. There may be rules concerning the number of pets or landscaping restrictions. In some cases there may even be monthly or yearly association dues.
Finding the right home may seem like a lot of work but with careful planning and patience you’ll find your dream home in no time.
Processing your request, Please wait....
