So you're planning to buy Real Estate in Maine? You've come to the right place! If you've read Step 1 and Step 2, then you've met with your lender, sat down with your Real Estate Agent and defined your wants and needs, and you're ready to start looking at houses!
After you've completed Step 2, you should have a list of homes that interest you. Talk with your agent and have him/her schedule your first appointments. We always recommend that you only look at between 3 and 5 homes at a time. Any more than that and they start to run together!
As you begin to look at houses, we suggest you rate them! We give our buyers a checklist, and as they tour the home they can make notes, check off amenities that appeal to them, and rate the home from 1-5. This will help you immensely if you look at a lot of homes. We also suggest that you bring your camera with you. Take interior and exterior pictures to help you differentiate between the different houses. At the end of the day, look over your notes and rate each house. Do this after each day of showings. After you've seen all the houses, you'll have a good idea of which house will best meet your needs!
As you walk through each home, pay close attention to the condition, appearance, and potential! Is the living room orange and purple? Don't let that deter you! Paint is an inexpensive fix! Are there water stains on the ceiling? That is cause for concern! Are the lightning fixtures straight out of the Brady Brunch? Easy to replace! Mold growing up the walls in the basement? Yeah...that's a problem. Could you finish the basement and double your living space? That's potential! You should have a copy of the property disclosure, which explains everything the seller knows about the condition of the home. Study it carefully! But don't let cosmetic issues turn you away from a home that meets your needs in other ways...a little elbow grease and some paint could bring you instant equity!
So you've toured several homes and found the THE ONE! What next? Check back to find out what to do when you're ready to make an offer! And, as always, feel free to call The Hershey Home Team if you have any questions about Maine Real Estate!
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