Buying a home is an exciting and complex adventure. It can also be a very time-consuming and costly one if you're not familiar with all aspects of the process, and don't have all the best information and resources at hand.
One of Jeff and Tracey Schween’s specialties is representing the best interests of buyers throughout the home buying process. Their comprehensive, high-quality services can save you time and money, as well as make the experience more enjoyable and less stressful.
If you're like most people, buying a home is the biggest investment you will ever make. So whether you're buying a starter home, your dream home or an investment property, why not take advantage of my experience as a local market expert to make the most informed decisions you can, every step of the way?
Here are some tips to help determine which property is best for you:
Once you've settled on a couple of preferred locales for your home search, it's time to pick out a few homes to view. Having a house features “wish list” keeps you focused on which features are most important to you.
When narrowing down your home search, consider the following:
There are several forms of home ownership: single-family homes, multiple-unit properties, condominiums.
Single-family homes
One home per lot. Parcels can range in size
Multiple-family homes
Some buyers lean into multiple-family dwellings, so they'll have rental income to help with their costs. Many mortgage plans, including VA and FHA loans, can be used for buildings with up to four units, provided you intend to occupy one of them.
Condominiums
With a condo, you own "from the walls in." You also own a certain percentage of the "common elements" - staircases, sidewalks, roofs, etc. Monthly charges pay your share of taxes and insurance on those elements, as well as repairs and maintenance. A homeowner’s association administers the development.
Weigh your needs, budget and personal tastes in deciding whether you want to buy a newly constructed home, an older home or a "fixer-upper" that requires some work.
As you look at homes, you may want to keep in mind these resale considerations.
One-bedroom condos are more difficult to resell than two-bedroom condos.
Two-bedroom/one-bath single houses generally have less appeal than houses with three or more bedrooms, and therefore have less appreciation potential depending on their location.
Homes with "curb appeal," i.e., well-maintained, attractive and with a charming appearance from the street, are the easiest to resell.
The most expensive houses on the street, or ones with anything unusual or unique may encounter challenging resale depending on the timing of your sale and the market conditions prevalent. The best investment potential is traditionally found in a less expensive, more moderately sized home in the best neighborhood you can afford.
While house hunting, it's a good idea to make notes about what you see because viewing several houses at a time can be confusing. Use a home comparison chart or a notes application to help you keep track of your search, organize your thoughts and record your impressions.
Before you begin the home buying process you should understand, Every REALTOR® has stories to tell (because they happen all the time) about a buyer who looked far and wide for their dream home, finally found it, and then either did not have their financing in order or said something like, "We always promised my Dad we'd sleep on it, so we'll make an offer tomorrow." Many times this story has a sad ending - someone else came in that evening with an offer that was accepted.
Resolve that you will act decisively when you find the house that’s clearly right for you. This is particularly important after a long search or if the house is newly listed and/or underpriced. We can tell you that the primary objective is to get control of what you want first. You will be back to the property multiple times in the first few weeks and in some cases you may determine for a variety of reasons that it may not be the right home, which is typically part of the reason why there are contingencies in purchase agreements.