It is part of the American dream to own a house and for some people the time is right to start looking. House hunting can be an exhausting and sometimes disappointing adventure. But it also has its rewards when you finally find that house that you’ve been looking for. So, when you’re ready to go out and start looking for that dream house, here are some suggestions to make the process go smoother.
Make sure and have a mortgage pre-approval. A seller is unlikely to entertain an offer without a pre-approval. And in hot markets, that means you can kiss your chance at a promising property goodbye—there are plenty of other buyers with pre-approvals in hand. Getting pre-approve also lets you know how much mortgage you qualify for.
Having an agent gives you the best chance of getting what you want. An agent can not only see the new listings come up but may also know about listings that haven’t even hit the market if they’re well-networked in the area where you’re looking. Having an agent greatly improves your chances of finding what you want at the right price.
Make sure and make a list of what you’re looking for before you go out looking. Looking at extremely different properties will make your search go slower. It’s fine to consider many types of properties at first to get a sense of your options but try to narrow them down before you fill your weekends with home tours.
Don’t make the mistake of getting taken in by all the bling. A house may look great at first glance but make sure to take a closer look. The house may have been dressed up with new appliances, faucets, lights, and other fixtures, but sometimes they can be lower-quality options that won’t hold up over time.
Don’t go house hunting on your own, get a qualified agent to help you.
