Special offer

Buying a home? 10 tips for spotting a bargain

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks

Buying a home?  Here is how to spot a good buy for you.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, particularly when it comes to buying a home.  Features that attract one homebuyer may repel another. And what is a bargain for real estateone might not be for another.

 The one feature of interest to every home-buyer is price.  Getting the most home for your money is paramount.  The real problem is figuring out whether that fixer-upper on one street is a better buy than the home in next-to-new condition two blocks away.  That’s why knowing what to look for before you buy can save you time, energy and money down the line.

 

1.    The first step is figuring out what kind of house you need.  A good buy is only a good buy if it meets your current and future living requirements.  Before shopping for a home, decide how much space you and your family require. 

      How many bedrooms, bathrooms? 

      Is a family room necessary? 

      Do you need a layout that will accommodate a lot of entertaining? 

      Do you prefer a spacious or compact work space in the kitchen? 

      If you have small children, can the house easily be childproofed?

homes for sale

2.    Evaluate the front and back yards. 

      Is there enough space to accommodate your children? 

      Do you want a park-like or garden setting? 

      Do you enjoy yard work and gardening, or do you want a low-maintenance yard? 

Take into consideration the cost of extensive landscaping and upkeep.

 

3.    Next, determine how much work is required to make the house you are considering livable.  Make an honest assessment of your fix-it abilities. 

      How much work are you willing to do or pay someone else to do? 

      Do you have basic decorating, carpentry and plumbing skills? 

 

4.    If you plan to learn as you go, make sure you have accurately determined what you are getting into.  Ask an experienced friend, family member or your real estate agent for their opinion, and be sure to consider how much remodeling inconvenience the rest of the family can handle.

 paying more for repairs and upgrades

5.    Unless you are ready and able to tackle a major remodel, look for a house or condominium that needs only cosmetic improvements.  These include painting, wallpapering and replacing items like flooring, window treatments, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, light fixtures, cabinet and interior door hardware and appliances.  Remember that even these simple changes can be costly if you have to make many of them.

 

6.    Beware of improvements that seem easy enough at first glance but may turn into major headaches and require a lot of money once you’ve moved in.  Remodeled kitchens and bathrooms, changes to the floor plan, room additions and redesigned landscaping are examples of seemingly minor changes that can easily eat away the money you thought you saved by selecting a so-called “bargain priced” home.  Of course, you may be perfectly willing to spend whatever money is needed to customize the house to match your tastes and needs.

you bought the house

7.    Make sure major systems in the house are in good working condition.  The furnace, air-conditioning and plumbing should be up to date, since repairs can be costly.  Your agent can arrange to have a professional inspector determine whether the electrical wiring and any room additions are to code.  Local utilities often offer free or low-cost inspections to tell you if the house is energy-efficient.

 

8.    Look for a house with universally popular selling points.  If you’re impressed, the next buyer down the line is bound to be, too.  For example, a roomy, modern easy-to-clean kitchen is the best selling point a home can have.  A house with only one bathroom is less desirable than a house with two or more.  Many buyers expect at least three bedrooms, with a master bedroom that offers a feeling of privacy.  Lots of storage space and closets, especially walk-in closets, will be a real selling point.  Family rooms or “great rooms” also are desirable.  On closer examination, a house that looks like a bargain may lack some of these key features.

 

9.    Don’t forget the old adage:  location, location, location.  Unless you’re looking for a fixer-upper, the house should be in a condition that is comparable to other homes in the neighborhood.  Avoid buying the biggest or fanciest home on the block.  Consider the amount of traffic or noise.  Homes located in a quiet area away from a busy street will command a higher price.  Make sure the schools in your district have a reputation for quality education and safety.  Nearby supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants and theaters also will make a location more desirable.

keys to your new home

10.    Good community facilities also add appeal.  Pools, athletic fields, community centers, libraries and hospitals all add to a neighborhood’s value and desirability.  Transportation needs also should be considered. 

      Is local public transit available? 

      How long are typical commutes to places of current and potential employment? 

      Are there several alternate route? 

      How close is a major airport? 

All of these can affect a home’s pricing.

 

You can find a bargain!  Your first step should be to seek out a knowledgeable real moving into your new home!estate agent with experience in the market areas where you wish to purchase a home.  Your agent can help you locate those properties that truly are “bargains” and help find the home that most closely matches your desires and needs.  If I can be of help, let me know.

************

Full time real estate services in Fair Oaks CA, with friendly professionalism, 20+ years experience. I work hard to give my buyer or seller a low-stress transaction. "Happy clients make me happy."

For all your real estate needs or questions, call me at (916) 705-8951 or visit my website at www.SusanNealFineProperties.com.

Posted by


*******

Thinking of selling your home?  Remember, it costs you nothing for me to come out and discuss your home, the market in your area, and give you a market analysis and presentation so that you will know what you can expect to get for your home.

Call for appointment:  (916) 705-8951


Also Remember, if you are planning to buy a home, I can help you to tour any home for sale in Sacramento County and the surrounding areas, no matter what firm has it listed, and I can help you with your purchase if you find the perfect home for you.

Just give me a call at (916) 705-8951

***********
Susan Neal
Broker / Realtor

Susan Neal Fine Properties
RE/MAX Gold
Fair Oaks, California

Full time real estate services in Fair Oaks CA, with friendly professionalism, 30+ years experience. 
I work hard to give my buyer or seller a low-stress transaction.

"Happy clients make me happy."

For all your real estate needs or questions, call me at (916)705-8951 or visitmy website at www.SusanNealFineProperties.com.    

HUD homes resource            Search HUD Homes

Check out my business page on facebook:  Susan Neal Fine Properties

 

Comments (13)

Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Great information for your buyers.  Well presented and thoughtfully laid out. 

Apr 24, 2010 07:52 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Excellent and very detailed advice!  It's so important to know what your needs are before you start looking.  It isn't a good deal if it isn't what you need!

Apr 24, 2010 02:19 PM
Cal Yoder
Keller Williams Elite - Lititz, PA
Homes For Sale in Lancaster PA - 717.413.0744

Susan,

Great job and it should be very helpful with buyers.

Cal

Apr 24, 2010 03:18 PM
Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

Paula - Thank you.

Sharon - You are so right!

Cal - I hope so, thanks.

Apr 24, 2010 06:01 PM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Hello Susan, I just stopped by to say hello.  Always great information for buyers to know.

By the way Braulio was very appreciative of your help...thanks.

Apr 27, 2010 01:53 PM
Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

Nick - You and Braulio are very welcome.  I'm glad I could help.

May 05, 2010 02:52 PM
Jim Frimmer
HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA
Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

I really like your ten tips. In fact, I like them so much that I feel a reblog coming....

May 11, 2010 05:22 PM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Susan and a wonderful list you have there and I found your post because my friend Jim re-blogged/ re-posted it!

VB ;-)

May 11, 2010 05:27 PM
Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

Jim - Thanks for the reblog.  I'm glad that you and Robert liked my list!

May 12, 2010 02:56 PM
Joel Weihe
Realty World Alliance - Wichita, KS
Helping you to use your VA home loan benefits

Wonderful list, also found thru Jim, and I feel a reblog is in order again!  So many Buyers do end up getting in over their heads, or spending more to fix a bargain than what a move-in ready home would cost.  And then some just love the thrill and do a great job at it!  But definitely a good list!

May 12, 2010 03:47 PM
Cara Marcelle Mancuso
Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes - Tucson, AZ
Call a Marana neighbor, I'm THERE!

Very nicely, and simply put.  Great resource for bargain hunters!

Jun 10, 2011 06:24 AM
Ann Nguyen
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Truckee, CA
Lake Tahoe Truckee Homes For Sale

Good informative post for buyers who are looking for deals.

Jun 10, 2011 07:21 PM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

This are some really good tips for home buyers.  Thanks for the information and keep up the good work.

Jun 11, 2011 09:39 AM