But before you go driving around and going to open houses, you should consider these crucial house hunting tips.
1. Get Pre-approved for a Mortgage
Getting pre-authorized for a home loan is one of the best tools to have when looking for a house, especially when you have competitors.
If you are pre-approved, the home seller takes your offer more seriously and may well end up accepting your offer over other interested parties who are not pre-approved.
Make sure your credit score is as good as you can get it. Many lenders adjust interest rates in part, due to credit score ratings. Most of the time, the higher your credit score, the better the deal you can get on a home loan.
2. Get to Know the Neighborhood
If you have a specific property in mind, it’s best to stop by the area more than once, at different times of the day and week.
3. Have a List of Your Wants and Needs
Have a detailed house hunting checklist outlining your wants and needs, and make certain that your list covers the type of house (e.g. house or condo), the location, quantity of bedrooms and bathrooms, and dwelling attributes that you are searching for.
One mistake that home buyers make during their property search, is getting a wish list that is too strict. You don’t want to get stuck browsing for some fantastic property that may not exist.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Examine Everything
If you have narrowed your home search and are viewing residences in person, it’s time to examine everything: doorknobs, cabinets, windows, faucets, light switches. Now is the time to discover out if there is something that needs repair, not after closing.
5. Take Climate Into Consideration
Relocating from a different state or nation? When purchasing a house in a new location, taking into consideration weather circumstances and seasonal temperature changes is essential.
For instance, you may possibly want a house that has a covered garage if you move to a region where snow is more common, or you may perhaps, want to choose a home with a shaded backyard in an area with warmer temperatures.
6. Order the Property Inspection
It’s critical to have a trained professional examine the house you are interested in buying, even a home that has just been constructed. This is the best way to identify any key repairs that need to be addressed. Typically inspections are performed after an offer is accepted. If needed repairs show up on a property inspection, the buyer can usually back out of the contract with no penalty if they feel that the repairs are too much to tackle.
7. Have the Best Real Estate Agent on Your Side
If you are feeling frustrated and overwhelmed while house hunting and competing with other property purchasers, your real estate agent is there to guide you through the process and keep you focused on the next steps.
We want you to be able to find the best home in an ideal location, and we are right here to help. So if you are browsing for a house in central Arkansas this spring, speak with us about what you are hunting for in a home and we can find it together.
By Luke Thomas from the Tracy Tidwell Team at ERA TEAM Real Estate in Conway, AR
ERA.com
Luke: 801-502-2799
