Know what you are looking for
After you have done the pre-requisite tasks of making sure your CREDIT is in good standings, you've been PRE-APPROVED by a lender and you have a trustworthy REALTOR… it is now time to proceed with caution in looking for a home. The term 'caution' being used in a loose term, meaning: don't proceed with the act of sending a list of photos of five different house in five different emails to your agent saying "THIS IS THE ONE" when you have not even been inside of it yet. After day 2 of doing said act, your "sixth sense" for finding "the one" is now considered void.
1. WE COME IN PEACE - I think it is safe to say that most inexperienced buyers (first timers and young'ns) are overly-eager to see every house in their price range ( I know I was -- still am? ;) ), because more is better right? Wrong. Knowing what you NEED in a home is different than your wants. I know we have all love the accessibility of information that Google provides us daily at our fingertips. Home buying is nothing like searching on Google. Sometimes you have to weave through the countless, worthless, advertisements and pages to find the QUALITY of information you are searching for. In a way, Realtors are like Search Engine Optimization (SEO) scanners. We know the houses in the area, we know the information and lingo that you find on kw.com (or in a lot of peoples cases Trulia, Zillow, etc.) that is being expressed on the listings you find there. We are the filters, much like google has, that will bring to you what you are looking for. Real Estate agents are your friend, we come in peace.
2. WANT vs. NEED - When I am looking into an investment (or lunch) I will generate a pro/con list. In this case we will use NEED as your Pro, and WANT as your Con (in a not necessary sort of way). Your list make look something like this:
NEEDS / WANTS
3 bed, 2 bath / 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath
2 car garage / 3 car garage
so on and so forth. I am sure your list will comprise of more but you get the idea. Now, when you comprise this list, you have to realize what each thing you WANT, usually is adding value to the property and therefore typically increases the price of it. Not to be discouraged though, this is why you have comprised a list of things that you can minimally accept in a home and things that you can compromise on. Each thing is up to you, but it helps your agent know what you are looking for. (Especially if it's a man, we really can't read your thoughts women. Sometimes it's nice for you to literally spell it out!)
3. WHATS YOUR PLAN? - Along with your comprised list of wants and needs, what is the purpose of the home you are looking for? Are you looking at it from an investment standpoint, or is it a home you will be in for 5-10 years? Knowing that will definitely help in the search. Investment wise maybe you opt for the dated 4 bed/2.5 bath instead of the 3 bed/2 bath with all the fixin's, and vice versa for your family needs. The more information you can bring to the table, the better your end result will be. Be prepared, but not over-bearing...
1. WE COME IN PEACE - I think it is safe to say that most inexperienced buyers (first timers and young'ns) are overly-eager to see every house in their price range ( I know I was -- still am? ;) ), because more is better right? Wrong. Knowing what you NEED in a home is different than your wants. I know we have all love the accessibility of information that Google provides us daily at our fingertips. Home buying is nothing like searching on Google. Sometimes you have to weave through the countless, worthless, advertisements and pages to find the QUALITY of information you are searching for. In a way, Realtors are like Search Engine Optimization (SEO) scanners. We know the houses in the area, we know the information and lingo that you find on kw.com (or in a lot of peoples cases Trulia, Zillow, etc.) that is being expressed on the listings you find there. We are the filters, much like google has, that will bring to you what you are looking for. Real Estate agents are your friend, we come in peace.
2. WANT vs. NEED - When I am looking into an investment (or lunch) I will generate a pro/con list. In this case we will use NEED as your Pro, and WANT as your Con (in a not necessary sort of way). Your list make look something like this:
NEEDS / WANTS
3 bed, 2 bath / 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath
2 car garage / 3 car garage
so on and so forth. I am sure your list will comprise of more but you get the idea. Now, when you comprise this list, you have to realize what each thing you WANT, usually is adding value to the property and therefore typically increases the price of it. Not to be discouraged though, this is why you have comprised a list of things that you can minimally accept in a home and things that you can compromise on. Each thing is up to you, but it helps your agent know what you are looking for. (Especially if it's a man, we really can't read your thoughts women. Sometimes it's nice for you to literally spell it out!)
3. WHATS YOUR PLAN? - Along with your comprised list of wants and needs, what is the purpose of the home you are looking for? Are you looking at it from an investment standpoint, or is it a home you will be in for 5-10 years? Knowing that will definitely help in the search. Investment wise maybe you opt for the dated 4 bed/2.5 bath instead of the 3 bed/2 bath with all the fixin's, and vice versa for your family needs. The more information you can bring to the table, the better your end result will be. Be prepared, but not over-bearing...
RECAP
- Trust your Agent to do right by you and find what you are looking for. Our best interest, is YOUR best interest. We are legally bound to stand by the statement……….. but we also ENJOY it. win-win for you :)
- Knowing your WANTS and NEEDS. If you aren't a list person thats okay, just be able to demonstrate clearly what you are looking for.
- Not everybody knows where they will be in 3-5 years (except for those exceptional people who over-achieve, even in making a grilled cheese sandwich…) but having a plan to work toward something that betters you, your children, and the people around you is a great place to start.
Peace and Love,
SE Group