Ways to Make Home Buying Easier

Years ago, when I purchased my own house, I remember feeling a little frightened and overwhelmed by the process.  I was young.  I wasn't a Realtor, and had no experience buying a house.  It was beginning to look like I was going to be a life-long renter.

Fortunately, I worked in a little real estate and insurance office, and there was an agent there that had a listing, he knew I needed to buy.  It was bigger than the place I was renting, and the monthly mortgage payment was nearly the same as my rent.

When I look around today, I suspect there are many potential home-buyers out there, who are in the same boat I was back then.  If you are one of them, here are a few tips, which might help get you moving toward becoming a homeowner, rather than a perpetual renter.

(1) It is important to find a real estate professional, that matches your personality, and you feel comfortable with.  Buying a home is a really big step.  It is not only a large financial commitment, but can also affect you emotionally.  Finding a real estate agent that fits your personality and is knowledgeable is key.

(2) There is no month of the year that is perfect to buy a home.  Nor is there a perfect time to put a home on the market to sell.  If you attempt to wait for prices to drop a little, you risk missing out on the market bottom completely, while interest rates may rise, and housing inventory dries up.

(3) Asking advice from too many sources, can confuse you while trying to make a decision.  This is true especially, if you are relying on friends, rather than real estate professionals, for critical information.

(4) Make a list of things that you find most important in a house.  Understand that no home will be perfect.  Focus on those things most important.

(5) Negotiation is a key element of purchasing a home.  However, attempting to pat yourself on the back for being a really tough negotiator, may help you lose the home you have taken time to find and love.

(6) It is important to understand that not all square feet in homes is equal.  I have seen houses with a number of square feet, which have been eaten up by stairwells, and hallways.  While the bedrooms, and key rooms have been small.  Open floor plans often provide more practical or useable space than those with rooms walled off.

(7) Make certain to get pre-approved for a mortgage prior to viewing properties.  There is nothing worse than falling in love with a home you can't afford.  Pre-approval allows you to write an offer that is more solid and attractive to sellers.

(8) Understand there will be maintenance or repair costs to homeownership.  This is one area where you won't be able to call the landlord when the faucet begins to drip, or some other repair is needed.  Leave room in your budget for these occurrences.

(9) Consider potential appreciation of any house you fall in love with.  Although you think you may live in this home a lifetime, most folks own more than one home in a lifetime.  Schools, crime rates, and comfort are important considerations.

(10) For some homebuyers, remorse can set in, a few hours after signing offers, or they have put a home into escrow.  Accept that these feelings are normal.  After all, you have signed a large financial commitment.  I use to warn my buyers about this, while saying, "It hits about 2:00 am in the morning, don't call me before dawn."  There is something about daylight hours that puts things back into proper perspective once again:-)