House hunting is almost always an adventure. It can be exciting, but it can also produce some aggravation at times. There’s a lot that goes into house hunting, which can raise your stress levels. Fortunately, you don’t have to let that happen. You can hunt for a house and keep your efforts stress free with the right planning and preparation. When you go about hunting for a house in the right way, you’ll feel good and enjoy the process, instead of being constantly frazzled and worried about the home, the mortgage approval, and inspection, and everything else that comes along with getting into your new house.
1). Do you trust your agent?
Having an agent you feel good about is a vital part of enjoying a stress-free house hunt. If you can’t trust your agent, you’re naturally going to be worried about the homes they show you and what they tell you about the houses you’re interested in. That’s no way to sort through homes and make a big financial decision. If you really just don’t feel comfortable with the agent you’re using, it’s time to look for another one. Knowledge matters, of course, but personality is also important. You may spend a lot of time with that agent over weeks or months, so you want to be sure there’s a level of trust and consideration.
2). Have you seen the homes online?
You can find a house without all the stress that’s usually involved by taking some time to prepare first. One great way to prepare is to see homes online before you ever go see them in person. You can shop for houses right from the comfort of your living room when it’s convenient for you. There’s no need to drive all over the place to see houses you might not have any interest in. By looking online, you will only need to go and see the homes that really seem like a good fit. That helps you save time and aggravation, and also makes things easier on your agent, so everyone wins in that situation.
3). What do you think of the neighborhood?
House hunting often means finding a new neighborhood, and you want it to be a good one. Before you fall in love with a house, make sure you know where it’s located. If the neighborhood just isn’t going to work for you, it’s better to know that right away. If you can narrow your house search down to a few neighborhoods that you know you would be happy to live in, you won’t waste your time and energy seeing other houses that aren’t in the right location. That can really reduce the level of stress you will feel during your house hunt.
4). How are the property values?
Property values matter. You want to get a house that’s in your price range, and that’s worth what you pay for it. To get a mortgage, the house will also have to be valued at what you’re paying. If property values in a particular area are very low, or if they are falling, that’s something to consider. There is usually a reason why values are low there, and while it might not be a problem for you it’s worth exploring so you don’t end up trying to buy a house that won’t appraise or in a neighborhood that is on the decline.
5). Do those pictures do the house justice?
Don’t underestimate the value of shopping around online first, and make sure you’ve driven around the neighborhoods, too. Then, look carefully at the pictures of the house. While they won’t tell you everything you need to know, they will give you a good idea of whether there is a lot of work to be done, whether the house has been updated, and other factors. If you drive around the area, you may also want to take some pictures of your own. Coupled with the photos that are already offered online, your own pictures can help you remember what you thought about the home’s exterior and the surrounding area.
6). How long has the house been listed?
When you want to have a stress-free house hunt, you should take a look at how long the house has been listed. A home that has been on the market for a long time may have problems. But it may also be a really good deal because it has been sitting for some time. If the seller really wants to get their home sold, they may be interested in making a deal that will be good for you. A lower price, some kind of perk thrown in, or other considerations may be able to be made. Depending on the kind of home you want and the level of work you’re interested in doing, buying a home that needs repairs and has been sitting could be a great choice and help you get into a house you’ll really love.
7). Is the seller motivated to make a deal?
Some sellers are much more motivated than others. They may be moving away, need to get out from under their mortgage, or want to sell the house quickly for other reasons. If you can find a motivated seller, you may be able to reduce your stress because that seller will be more likely to do what it takes to be sure the deal goes through. If you like the house and the area, that’s definitely worth considering.
2 Point Highlight
You can find a house without all the stress that’s usually involved by taking some time to prepare first.
Don’t underestimate the value of shopping around online first, and make sure you’ve driven around the neighborhoods, too.
