First Time Home Buyers

Buying Your First Home? Make Sure You Choose a Top Local Agent as your Realtor. 

HOW DO I FIND MY PERFECT HOME?  

Everyone is on the internet looking for homes. With just a few clicks, home buyers can search through hundreds of online listings, view virtual tours and sort through dozens of photographs and aerial shots of neighborhoods and homes. You may have already defined your goals and have a pretty good idea of the type of home and neighborhood you want. By the time you reach my office, you are halfway to home ownership. 

How Long Should It Take Me to Find What I Want? 

In a seller’s market, there are more buyers looking for houses than there are houses for sale. During the “hot” market, often I would show a couple of homes to a buyer and then we would quickly write up an offer and hope that our offer was accepted.  

In today’s market, we’re in what’s called a “par” market. The swing is more towards a buyer’s market, but not completely. Properties in perfect condition, in desirable areas and priced “to the market” are still selling quickly and sometimes even with multiple offers. With that said, the buyer today can have a nice selection of properties to choose from. Once you find the house you’re looking for, think about making an offer. I can help you to determine a fair market value and get you the best house for a fair price.  

Sometimes, a buyer will look for years, but those buyers may not be ready to buy or are not motivated. A motivated buyer could find a home on the first time out viewing properties, or it could take a few weeks, or months. Because I listen to your needs and wants, the homes I show you will probably be exactly what you’re looking for. No sense wasting valuable time looking at properties that don’t match your wish list!  

How Many Homes Will I See? 

Studies show that your memory dramatically improves after consumption of carbs and slows upon consuming sugar. So, layoff the soft drinks and have a good meal of carbs before venturing out to tour homes. The average number of homes that I show to a buyer in one day is six. Any more than that and the brain is on overload. Don't expect to see 20 or 30 homes at one time. Although it's physically possible to do so, you probably will not remember specific details about any of them….it will all become a blur.  

How will I know when to buy  

Here’s a cute analogy that I can certainly relate to. Say, you need a new pair of red shoes, so you go to the mall. At the first shoe store, you find a fabulous pair of red shoes. You try them on. They fit perfectly. They are stunning! Priced right, to. Do you buy them? Of course not! You go to every other store in the mall trying on red shoes until you are ready to drop from exhaustion. Then you return to the first store and buy those red shoes. Do not shop for a home this way. When you find the perfect home, buy it. 

How to Rate the Inventory 

• I’ll give you a “showing” package that includes a description of the property, pictures and a checklist. All you need to do is bring a pen or pencil.
• Use the checklist that I provide to make notes of unusual features, colors and design elements. A word a caution, don’t get so wrapped up in taking notes that you’re not looking at the house. So I may remind you to look first – write later.
• Pay attention to the home's surroundings. What’s next door? Do large colonials tower over your ranch style?
• Do you like the location? Is it near a park or a power plant? Is it convenient for your commute?
• Immediately after leaving, rate each home on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest. 

View Top Choices a Second Time 

After touring homes for a few days, you’ll instinctively know which one or two homes you would like to buy. Ask to see them again. You will see them with different eyes and notice elements that were overlooked the first time around.  

At this point, I’ll call the listing agents to find out more about the sellers' motivation and to double-check that an offer hasn't come in, making sure these homes are still available to purchase. 

Making the Selection 

I'll let you in on a secret. I generally know which home a buyer is going to choose and I suspect most other agents operate in the same way. It's intuition. But I make it a practice not to steer my buyers and I insist that buyers choose the home without interference from me. It's not my choice to make. 

I will; however, point out any defects and help you to feel confident that the home selected meets your needs and wants.  

New to the home buying process? Tell me your concerns. Ask me questions. It's my job to help! There's no obligation, and I promise to get back to you quickly...