Take The Stress Out of Home Buying
Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as stress-free as possible.
1. Find a REALTOR® who you
connect with.
Home buying is not only a big
financial commitment, but also
an emotional one. It’s critical
that the REALTOR® you choose
is both highly skilled and a
good fit with your personality.
2. Remember, there’s no
“right” time to buy, just as
there’s no perfect time to
sell.
If you find a home now, don’t
try to second-guess interest
rates or the housing market
by waiting longer — you risk
losing out on the home of your
dreams. The housing market
usually doesn’t change 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 from too many
many people will make it much harder to make a decision. Focus on the wants and needs
of your immediate family — the people who will living in the home.
4. Accept that no house is ever perfect.
If it’s in the right location, the yard may be a bit smaller than you had hoped. The kitchen
may be perfect, but the roof needs repair. Make a list of your top priorities and focus in on
things that are most important to you. 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 or by refusing to budge on your offer may cost you the home you love.
Negotiation is give and take.
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,
etc. — that you forget about important issues as noise level, location to amenities, and
other aspects that also have a big impact on your quality of life.
7. Plan ahead.
Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage,
to investigate home insurance, or to 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-home buying budget.
Even if you buy a new home, there will be costs. Don’t leave yourself short and then be
forced to let your home deteriorate for lack of funds.
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 financial commitment. But it also yields
big benefits. Don’t lose sight of why you wanted to buy a home and what made you fall in
love with your purchase.
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 to serve as a comfortable, safe place to live.
Reprinted from REALTOR® magazine (REALTOR.org/realtormag) with permission of the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.