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Adventures in 1st Time Home Buying: "Tips for Home Tourists!"

Welcome once again to ActiveRain, the cutting-edge clearinghouse for up-to-date resources on all things real estate. My name is Rich Jacobson, a licensed professional real estate agent in Silverdale, out on the Kitsap Peninsula in scenic Washington State. This is the sixth installment in an on-going series of posts dedicated to helping 1st Time Home Buyers successfully achieve their home purchasing goals. We have been identifying and discussing, in chronological order, key events in the home buying process.

In our last discussion, we talked about the "out-of-pocket" expenses associated with buying a home. Today, we're heading out to look at homes in a post entitled, "Tips for Home Tourists."

To read the complete article, go to SOUNDBITEBLOG (opens in a seperate window)

Posted by Rich Jacobson Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Agent on 11/12/2006 02:25 PM

Comments (14)

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14 Comments on Adventures in 1st Time Home Buying: "Tips for Home Tourists!"

NOV

2006

Hey Rick...Like your advice...MAPS...and not gettiing distracted by extraneous MLS sheets while viewing, especially. Of course, in yourpart of the country, a buyer could get distracted just by looking UP from an MLS sheet, it is so gorgeous where you live!

Rich, one of the Realtors that I do business with was telling me the other about a Buyer that she was taking around who brought her son with her. She said she spent more time running around after the kid to make sure he did not break anything, then she did showing the house.

Sounded to me like it was time for some Duck Tape.

JaneAnne - we have a custom map made up specifically for our area, not one of those 'store-bought" folding kind. It's great for this purpose. Thanks for commenting!

George - Duck Tape! You crack me up!

Custom map - wow!! When we are contacted by an out of state buyer, we make sure to send them a map (Coldwell Banker in this case has Miami-Dade Maps) to make sure they understand the areas. We start sending them properties through the MLS by e-mail until we narrow down the area and then it's easier to show them properties when they come to Miami. Distances here are huge, and the maps are so important. Everytime I read one of your posts I realize how similar we run our businesses. Thanks again for an A+ post.

ines

Ines - yes, I think there are many similarities in the way we conduct our businesses, especially the care and concern we share for our clients. As always, your comments mean much!

Great tips, and very simple. These alone will help many buyers avoid "home search frustration syndrome."

Pete Willner
Who Will? Pete Will!

Broker Direct Real Estate
Murrieta, CA.
www.PeteWill.com

NOV

2006

Rich,

I always like your posts, very informative to all community, it does not matter if they are consumers or realtors

keep the good work my friend

Ray Saenz

Pete - thanks. My hope is that this information will be of true practical help. I know I sure could have used it when we bought our first home!

Ray - your thoughful and encouraging comments are always welcome. Thanks for stopping by!

NOV

2006

Sooo many people forget the "have fun" part... Its a good agent that keeps people on point (looking for a home) and smiling...

Happy people buy houses... Unhappy people see every flaw and then some...

Hi Rich

Our local St. Cloud, Florida Chamber of Commerce has GREAT maps ofthe area. I grabbed a hand full when working with clients. For one out of state buyer I highlighted how to get to his property after closing. He was MOST appreciative. Also when showing homes... have them eliminate the MLS sheets for the homes they liked least. It whitles down the choices quickly when used with the 5 star rating method. Good Post!

Bill - great point. Happy people make great referrals too!

Allison - thanks for stopping by and contributing your comments!

NOV

2006

Nice, concise and simple list. I plan on sharing with my buyers! Thanks!

Kaushik - I am glad you found this info helpful. My hope is that this series will offer good, pracitcal advice to 1st Time Buyers. Thanks for commenting!

JAN

2007

Rich Great post. One thing I might add is for buyer's to be prepared for the possibility that they might actually find "the one" on the first day. Sometimes the opportunity is there and you need to grab it. We sometimes joke about people here buying their second favorite home since they decide to keep looking to make sure the 1st one is for real. In the meantime, someone else swoops in.

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