|
|
10 Top Rules for Stress-Free Homebuying
 1. Find a
real estate professional you click with. Homebuying is not only a big
financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the
practitioner you choose is both skilled and a good fit with your
personality. 2. Remember,
there’s no “right” time to buy, any more than there’s a right time to sell.
If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess the interest rates or
the housing market by waiting. Changes don’t usually occur fast enough to
make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the
market long.
3. Don’t
ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big
decision, but too many ideas will make it much harder to make a decision. 4. Accept
that no house is ever perfect. Focus in on the things that are most
important to you and let the minor ones go.
5. Don’t
try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the
real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price may
lose you the home you love. 6. Remember
your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical
aspects of the house itself—room size, kitchen—that you forget such issues
as amenities, noise level, etc., that have a big impact on what it’s like
to live in your new home. 7. Don’t
wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a
mortgage, investigate insurance availability, and consider a schedule for
moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will
make your bid much less attractive to sellers.
8. Factor
in maintenance and repair costs in your post-homebuying budget. Even if
you buy a new home, there will be some costs. Don’t leave yourself short
and let your home deteriorate. 9. Accept
that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying
a home, especially for the first time, is a big commitment, but it also
yields big benefits.10. Choose
a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually from 1998 to
2002, a home’s most important role is as a comfortable, safe place to
live.
Source: ©2005 National
Association of Realtors |
