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12 Tips for a Successful Home Search

Once you have selected a real estate agent to represent you and you have gotten pre-approved with a great local lender, it's time to start looking at homes in person.  Here are a few tips to keep in mind during your home search process:

  • Remember there is no such thing as a "perfect" house. If this your first or even second or third home, it may just be a stepping stone towards something closer to your dream home while you build equity.  It should check off at least 80% of what you are wanting.

  • Consider your timeline for this home. Many people move every 5-7 years but plan for it to work for you for at least 2 years.
  • Be honest with yourself about your willingness, ability, and finances to take on any projects. If you are handy and able to do things yourself, or financially capable of hiring contractors, you may find a deal on a home that others don't want to take on. There's a smaller pool of buyers for homes that need work, but it can be more expensive, stressful, and time consuming than you are equipped for.
  • Be sure to show up to your scheduled showings on time. If you are running late or need to cancel, let your agent know as soon as you can. There may only be a small window of time available for your showing and you may need all that time to look at the home. If you're visiting occupied homes, sellers have to make plans to be out of the house which can mean packing up kids and pets and rearranging their day to give you time to be in the house without them present. There may also be another showing scheduled right after yours.
  • Keep in mind that many homes are equipped with audio and video devices that allow homeowners to see and hear you while you're in their home. Sellers usually have a great deal of pride in their homes and can be offended to hear that people don't like their personal décor choices etc. It can also work against you to sound too excited about a property if you do want to make an offer. Wait to have any conversations about a potential offer away from the house out of range from any video doorbells or cameras.
  • Wear comfortable shoes that can easily be slipped on and off. Many sellers request that visitors either remove their shoes or they may provide shoe covers to avoid getting the floors dirty. You may also be checking out basements with tricky stairs, crawl spaces, or yards where you may not want to wear your nicest new shoes.
  • Try to plan any restroom breaks before or between showings if possible. In occupied homes, sellers may not want strangers using their bathroom. In vacant homes, the water may be turned off.

  • Be open-minded about certain things. Paint colors and other cosmetic features may be an easy and inexpensive fix. Also, try to picture the home without the sellers' belongings. Oversized, dark furniture, and cluttered spaces can make rooms feel much smaller than they otherwise would.

  • Know what your deal-breakers are and what you cannot compromise on.  There are certain things that you cannot change about a property, such as the location.  There's probably no need to look at homes that do not have a yard if you absolutely must have dedicated outdoor space for your dog.
  • Take measurements of any special furniture with you. If there's a family heirloom table that has to fit in the dining room, make sure the dimensions will work.
  • During the search process, feel free to stop in to open houses, just be sure to let the agent hosting it know that you are working with an agent. You may want to carry your agent's business cards to present in that situation. Many agents host open houses with the goal of capturing your contact information to try to get you as a new client. If you have an agent already representing you, they are legally not allowed to pursue your business. The agent there is also probably working on behalf of the sellers' best interest so if you are interested in that home, you should not disclose too much info to that person.
  • If you are considering new construction, you will want to make sure to schedule a visit to the model home with your agent. The builders may not allow your agent to represent you if you see the model home without them on the first visit. Realtors are still important in navigating the buying process with a builder as they should have knowledge of the process, builder incentives, potential for negotiation, as well as potential pitfalls of working with particular builders or new construction in general.

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