Hello, homebuyer! Whether you are exploring your options in buying your first home, or you’re ready to move up in the market or downsize to a home that suits your life now, here’s the good news:
- Interest rates are still incredibly low, which makes for lower monthly payments.
- Sellers are motivated, so they are pricing their homes to sell and are making concessions to appeal to buyers.
- There is lots of inventory so you can be pretty choosy!
What Do You Want in Your New Home?
There’s plenty to consider as you’re househunting: neighborhoods, square footage, school districts, number of bedrooms, style (2-story colonial, ranch, cape cod, Tudor, contemporary?), yard (big or small?), price range, proximity to shopping, number of levels, privacy, window over the kitchen sink, open floor plan, and the list goes on. It’s helpful to give this some thought, but sometimes just getting out and looking at houses in the areas you like will help to clarify the things that are absolutely essential. Besides that, it’s fun!
Your Buyer’s Agent
Having a buyer’s agent that you trust to guide you through the search process, and to represent your interests and negotiate on your behalf when you find the home you want can make all the difference in the world. Remember, the seller pays the buyer’s agent’s commission at closing so it doesn’t cost you more to have someone looking out for you.
Finding the One
With each property you and your agent visit, you might consider: does it have good flow, does it have good natural light? And most importantly, does it feel good?! If the house doesn’t feel right to you, keep looking. Even if it has every single thing you thought you wanted and it’s a perfectly nice house. Because when you walk into the house that’s meant to be yours, it welcomes you home and you just know.
So then it’s time to write a contract! When I am representing my buyers, here are questions that we pose to the seller/listing agent just before we do:
Age and condition of systems (HVAC, hot water heater, plumbing, electrical)?
Age and condition of roof?
Age and condition of appliances (if they are conveying)?
Any flooding in basement (if applicable)?
Cost for utilities (gas, water, electricity, oil) for past 6-12 months?
Any underground oil storage tank?
Annual property taxes? Is there any tax abatement in place?
Improvements the current owners have made to the property?
Building permit for additions, etc.?
Helpful details to know, yes? And there’s more to it, of course, but that’s a good start.
Want me on your team when you’re buying a home? I’d love to hear from you — just give me a ring or drop me an email.
Lisa Jones Crowley
Joyner Fine Properties
Cell: 804-714-9987
Email: ljcrowley@gmail.com
