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Feeling Anxious about Buying a Home? Try These Tips...

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with True Sarasota Real Estate

 

True Real Estate Tips for Home BuyersBuying a home is very exciting, and sometimes, a bit daunting, too. So here are a few tips for buyers on relieving stress in the home-buying process.

1. Exclusive Buyers Agent (EBA) Never heard of EBAs? Then now's the time to find out.  An Exclusive Buyers Agent (EBA) is a real estate agent who solely looks out for the interests of home buyers (not sellers). We are experts on the home buying process, from initial search to closing, negotiating the best deal and terms on behalf of buyers only.  We're also experts at giving tours (real or virtual) to help you discover the neighborhoods and properties that are perfect for you An EBA can do a lot of preliminary legwork for you, and guide you step-by-step through the real estate process. Read what experts say about EBAs.

2. Preparation. Get approved for a mortgage right away. This will ease your mind on how much home you can afford, allowing you to focus on the properties available in your range.

3. Opinions.  It's nice to get the opinion of friends and family on a property, but if they are not going to live there, try to keep these opinions to a minimum.  Too many conflicting opinions can get confusing and even make you unsure of your own.

4. Location First. Enlist the help of your EBA to target neighborhoods that fit your needs and lifestyle.  You don't want to waste your time or energy falling in love with a home in a neighborhood where the noise-level, environment, etc. simply aren't workable for you.

5. Don't Expect Perfection. Every house has flaws and foibles, just like humans do. If you seek perfection, you may miss the opportunity in front of you. Make a list of must-haves, and focus on what is most important to you.

6. Budget. Even in a new home, there will be some inevitable upkeep costs. When calculating the cost of owning a home, don't forget to include the cost of normal maintenance and repairs in your post-purchase budget. This will keep you from being unduly surprised after the fact.

7. Buyer's Remorse. Expect it and accept it, but know that it passes.  Buying a home, particularly a first home, is a huge commitment, and even after the fact, you may have a moment of "cold feet."  Try to focus on the long-term benefits of your home, not the short-term flaws.

8. True Love. Make sure you buy a home for one reason, and one reason only... because you love it! If you are going to live there, real estate appreciation and property value should be less important considerations than your overall quality of life.

At True Sarasota Real Estate, we assist in every aspect of your home buying process in Sarasota, Florida. As Exclusive Buyer Agents, we make buying recommendations based entirely upon your needs, plans, and inclinations. Contact True Real Estate today to discover for yourself the exclusive buyers agent advantage.

Comments (16)

Team Honeycutt
Allen Tate - Concord, NC

All of the tips you gave are very useful. Buyers certainly need all of the help they can get to relieve their stress and keep buyers remorse to a minimum.

Betty

Apr 02, 2012 04:54 AM
Ronald DiLalla
Century 21 Discovery DRE 01813824 - Anaheim, CA
No. Orange Cty Real Estate

Hi William, a terrific list for first time buyers....Thanks for sharing with us in ActiveRain Land.

Apr 02, 2012 04:56 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

Suggested for a feature! Excellent post for clients to know why buyer's agents are SO important!

Apr 02, 2012 06:10 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

William - Excellent and presented very well.  Suggested!

Apr 02, 2012 06:47 AM
Kevin A. Guttman-Author, ReverseMortgageSpecialist
NMLS #384936 - Colorado Springs, CO
877-251-9709

Great advice!

Should take some of the stress out of buying!

Thanks for posting!

Kevin

Apr 02, 2012 07:33 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

William - I love all your tips but #3 is a stand-out. The relatives inject their likes and dislikes and undermine the buyer's confidence in their choices. I always groan (inside) when I know friends or family are coming along for the ride :) I'm suggesting your post. Good luck.

Apr 02, 2012 10:26 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

William, Number 5 is at the top of our list. Too many times buyers think they have to find the PERFECT house only to become disappointed in their search!

Apr 03, 2012 01:05 AM
William True
True Sarasota Real Estate - Sarasota, FL
Sarasota Real Estate

Thank you all for your comments! I appreciate the feedback.

Toni, I hear your groan, and double it! Thank you!

Larry & Sheila, yes, the search for perfection is always a mission impossible!

Apr 03, 2012 04:23 AM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

William:

Very good article that buyers should read.  Especially, item number three.  Some young buyers' families have to tell the "kids" what to do.  They may be deal breakers.

Apr 03, 2012 09:35 AM
Brian Madigan
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON
LL.B., Broker

Good points and the exclusive buyer's agent makes a good deal of sense in most cases.

Apr 03, 2012 10:32 AM
Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

Your comments are good and should be followed by all buyers.  :)  I am going to share with my Buyer Representatives!

Apr 03, 2012 11:30 AM
Chuck Carstensen
RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN
Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

It is the time of the year to get the buyers tips out as there are a lot of buyers who dont know where to begin.

Apr 03, 2012 02:12 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

William - There are lot of good suggestions here for buyers.

Apr 03, 2012 04:49 PM
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

Great blog 3-5-7 are my favorites.

thank you,

Eve in Orlando

Apr 03, 2012 08:45 PM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Congrats on the feature, William.

Apr 03, 2012 10:54 PM
William True
True Sarasota Real Estate - Sarasota, FL
Sarasota Real Estate

Thank you all -- I'm grateful for the comments and feedback!

Apr 04, 2012 08:23 AM