Preparation for Home Buying Tours
Home buying tours can be a thrilling experience for any prospective home buyer. The expectations for a new home are usually somewhat high, as everyone is looking to buy the best looking home for the best price they can find. It is a time that causes joy, anxiety, and perhaps a bit of restlessness. While all of these emotions that happen are natural, they sometimes cloud the judgment of many homeowners. There are many more things to look out for when buying a home than just price and visual appeal. Because of high emotions and stress, many of these important extra details often go overlooked. Here are 2 important tips every homebuyer should follow to feel more prepared and assured as they prepare for a home tour.
Before the Meeting
Make a Shopping List and Stick to It
Shopping for a home is just like any other type of shopping, in principle. When you go shopping for a new pair of running shoes, there is a good chance that you already have an idea of the type of shoe you are looking for. You may even have the brand of the shoe in mind but are going window shopping just in case you find something different that convinces you. If experience shows us anything, it’s that nine times out of ten, you end up buying the type of shoe you already had in mind. The same thing goes for homes. If you know that you are going to want a basement, a certain number of rooms, a specific geographic location, and have it all fit within a certain price range, stick to it!
Far too many buyers window shop for homes that don’t have their specifications in mind and as a result, end up wasting time. They either end up confused about what type of home to buy or end up convinced that they should buy a home that is out of their price range because they fell in love with some detail about it that was never on their shopping list. Create this shopping list before you even think about driving around and looking at homes. Doing it before will allow you to be realistic of your necessities, rather than chase after what the eyes find appealing. This will keep your search narrow, defined, and within your budget.
When In The Building
When your foot goes through the door, keep your eye on the prize. Not every house you walk into is going to have everything on your list. However, the ones that come closest are going to be your best bet. Some of these houses that come close might have minor details that deter you from considering that home further, but some details can be easily fixed or painted over.
Here are some things that you can skip over when considering a new home:
- Décor
- Wallpaper or Paint
- Worn Hardware
- Cleanliness of Yard Space
All of these details are surface level and superficial things that have quick fixes. If the home is staged, then the décor inside is probably all going to be gone by the time you move into it, so don’t worry if you don’t like the current décor on display. The ugly wall colors and wallpaper can be painted over easily.
Paint jobs, when done by themselves, are some of the easiest and most inexpensive remodel projects. Worn hardware such as cabinets and old doors can easily be sanded down or painted over. Worst case scenario, you buy a new door. Yard cleanliness also plays a huge role in how prospective homebuyers perceive homes. The cleaner and greener the yard, the more valuable a home is perceived to be. However, even if you buy a home with a yard that is in great condition, once the homeowner knows the home is bought, they might stop watering the lawn. If you aren’t on top of it, that nice yard can quickly go south.
What You Don’t Need to Worry About
All of these details are things you don’t need to worry about when going on a home buying tour. Imagine finding a home with 8 out of 9 things on your expectation list, only to pass on it because the wall color was brown instead of a space grey like you wanted it. Don’t miss out on a great home just because it currently doesn’t look like what you had envisioned.
One of the most important things that homebuyers have to do once they’ve found the right fit for a home is to make a serious offer. However, many homebuyers go into these offers unprepared and without loans to help solidify their offers. This weakens their chances and jeopardizes their opportunity at landing their dream home. If you are looking to buy a home soon, contact us! We specialize in home loans and can help you find the best fit for your situation.
