Whether it is your first or 5th, buying a new home can still be a trying process. There is much to keep track of, a move to organize, and more homes to consider than you ever feel like you have time to see. At the same time, it can also be exciting and fun.
With each open house or showing, you get to try on an entire lifestyle, imagining yourself and your family and ways you might enjoy living in a particular home. It is all a very emotional process, both on the positive and the negative side, and that can make it easy to lose focus on the important details. However, with the help of this home-buying guide, you can soon be well on your way to your next home.
Know what you are looking for
The biggest pitfall when making any purchase decision comes when the buyer is not sure what they want. Lacking a clear set of priorities invites overspending and buyer's remorse. One of the earliest steps you should take before you begin looking for a home in earnest is to create a comprehensive list of what you want in a home.
Whether you write your list down in a notebook or type it into an app on your smartphone, it is important that you can edit the list and move items around. This is so that you can prioritize the things you are looking for. Carefully separate the things you are willing to compromise on from those you simply cannot.
Ultimately, this list will be your roadmap throughout the home-buying process. From deciding on showings to how you negotiate the final sale, your priorities will inform every single thing you do. Having them carefully organized in a format you can easily reference will keep you on track. Of course, it is essential that you and your real estate agent be on the same page. Make certain your agent knows what you are looking for, and it will save you time and energy.
Understand the local market
Understanding the local housing market as a buyer can be challenging. With constantly changing prices, availability, and other factors, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest information. It can be hard to tell what properties are available and what the true market value is for a home. Furthermore, local regulations and taxes may be obscure or difficult to keep straight. All of this can make it a struggle to get the best value for your purchase.
This is one of those points in searching for a new home where a good real estate agent is indispensable. The right agent can provide you with knowledge and guidance to make sure that you are making the best decision for your individual needs. They will be able to provide you with not just current listings but also more comprehensive data and the experience to interpret what all of that information means. They can also help you to understand the local market and give you an inside look into the current trends. With the help of the right agent, you can be confident that you are approaching the local housing market armed with the information you need.
Do Not Skip the Inspection
There are situations where it might be worth making some kind of concession regarding the home inspection. Even then, though, you should always reserve the right to back out of the deal if a home inspection turns up something major. Home inspectors are trained to evaluate the structure, systems, and components of a home. They will report on the condition of the home’s foundation, walls, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and roofing. They will also look for signs of water damage, pest infestation, and safety issues.
Home inspections are essential not because sellers are going to be devious and hide things from you but because most homeowners are not experts themselves. Many of the biggest problems a home can have are not even readily visible, such as faulty wiring or plumbing that was not built to code. A home inspector is an expert. They will be able to locate problems that neither you nor the seller would have been aware of otherwise, and that can save you a lot of money and inconvenience down the line.
Prepare for negotiations
Negotiating the best deal on a home purchase requires careful consideration and planning. This home buying guide has already covered two important steps for ensuring a successful negotiation: knowing what you are looking for and having the home inspected. However, the most important thing you can do to secure a good deal on your purchase is to enlist the help of a real estate agent you trust.
A good agent will provide you with valuable advice and help you to develop a solid offer you can remain confident in throughout negotiations. Of course, you should be prepared to be flexible and open to terms that are beneficial to both parties, but here again, your agent is your best asset. The right agent will be able to help you identify what is worth compromising on and what is not. They will be your sounding board during negotiations, helping you to confirm whether your feelings about a seller's terms are justified.
Find the right agent for you
When considering the purchase of Cumberland, Maine real estate, the most important decision you will make is your choice of a real estate agent. Your agent is going to be an integral part of each and every part of the home-buying process. An experienced agent such as
Emilie Cole brings the insights and tools that you need to make the choices that will help you find a home you will love for years to come.
