First-Time Home Buyer Advice
It’s NOT weird to be confused about where to start when you’re buying your home, because you’ve never done it! The process can seem overwhelming upfront, and you might not even be sure if you’re ready to buy a home. Luckily, we work with first time homebuyers everyday, and these are a few tips we always share!
CHECK YOUR CHECKBOOK
Everyone has done a little Zillow scrolling on a rainy day, but how do you know if you’re looking through homes that actually fit your budget? Maybe you even found your dream home! It can be so much fun to look through beautiful homes, but it’s much better to know what your price range is so you don’t fall in love with a house you just can’t afford (for now!)
MAKING A LIST, CHECKING IT TWICE
You’re going to have deal breakers when it comes to what you want in your house, and that’s okay! It’s important to be honest with yourself on what you can make compromises on and what is a non-negotiable. Before you start home hunting, create a list of features you must-have in your home (number of rooms, bathrooms, backyard, kitchen style) to make sure you’re only spending time viewing homes you’d really like to move in to!
IS THERE A FILTER ON THAT HOUSE?
Someone call Nev Schulman because there are some house catfishes out there! These perfectly lit, well-staged photos show off houses in their best light. BUT, it’s important to take a home tour to confirm whether the lighting and space matches what you saw online. Different perspectives may change the way the size of a room appears, or not show darker rooms in a natural light. Once you’ve made a short list of the homes that appear to be a fit for you, always do a home tour.
IYKYK
If you walk into a house and it feels like home, trust that feeling! A lot of home buyers are scared to love the first house we see together, or aren’t sure about which house they like after seeing 10 homes. The best way to know if you should buy a home is to see how you feel when you first walk in!
Do you get upset at the thought of losing the house you just toured to someone else? Does it already feel like home when you are inside? These are two signs that you have found the home for you! If you see a home and are ready to stop looking at others, you are one step closer to buying a home you will love.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
Who you work with matters! Just like finding the right home for you, you’ll know when you find the right agent for you. A great agent is someone you are comfortable with, who you can be honest with, and one who you trust will go to bat for you. As a first time home buyer, your agent will be ready to educate you on every step of the home buying process to make sure you make the most informed decision possible.