Buyers Tips

1. Determine how much home you can afford  Contact a mortgage lender and get pre-approved. This will tell you how much you can spend for your new home, and when you do make an offer, it will carry more strength. By being pre-approved, you are in a better bargaining position, especially when bidding with another potential buyer who has not been pre-approved.

2. Determine the right neighborhood for you and your family's needs. To size up a neighborhood for yourself, visit it several times a day - in the morning, afternoon and at night. Talk to the people who live there, including those who have recently moved in. Approach the neighborhood from different directions to get a full perspective. Visit and shop in the local businesses.

3. Determine your needs and wants before shopping around. Your "Need" list will consist of number of bedrooms and bathrooms, home size, parking arrangements, etc. In short, features that you require for your family. Your "Want" list will consist of those features which would be nice to have, but are not necessary. A pool, for example, or a waterview. Perhaps a particular house design or a location on a cul-de-sac would be more appealing, but not necessarily needed.

4. Choosing a Realtor. You can go it alone, but most buyers prefer to use the services of a professional. Realtors subscribe to a Code of Ethics to ensure fair and equal treatment in the handling of real estate matters. A professionally licensed Realtor can save you time, money, and frustration while providing you with a wealth of information, especially if you are a newcomer to the area.

5. You feel like you've found the perfect house, now what? Take a look around, and determine your travel time to work. Hate driving and traffic? Better make sure your dream home doesn't turn your commute into a nightmare! Check out the surrounding area. Any parks nearby? Will you be close to shopping, schools, or recreational facilities? In short, if something is important to you, make sure it's going to be available or feasible in your new home.

6. Scout the neighborhood. Size things up by talking to people living there. What do they like about the neighborhood? Signs of a stable neighborhood include manicured lawns, well-maintained homes, and homes that appear to be similar in value. Warning signs include poorly maintained yards, homes in decay, too many "For Sale" or "For Rent" signs, or the encroachment of commercial business. Drive the surrounding area, several streets in each direction, to insure that the quality you are looking for extends beyond your street.

7. When home shopping, make a master list. Information will include number of bedrooms and baths, size, parking, location, extras, exterior and interior information. Make notations while visiting each home so that later, when you are reviewing, you will be able to recall what features went with what home. Give each home a "score" upon leaving. Ask "Do I like this home more or less than the last one I saw?" If you like it less, throw out the information and move on!

8. Have some Fun! Moving is one of life's more stressful events, but there's no reason to make house hunting more work than it is. Dress comfortably, allow enough time so you're not rushed and relax! While you may not find your dream home right away, you are certain to pick up decorator and gardening ideas - or don'ts - along the way.

Email Pat