Finding The Perfect Home
With only 8 more days left to take advantage of the $8,000/$6,500 home buyer incentive, I thought I'd pass along some tips on finding the perfect home. It's not too late to get under contract by April 30th, although for many of you, that may be unrealistic. A home purchase is one of the most important decisions you can make; The Freeman/Davis Team is ready to help, but only when you're ready to start the process. Search for homes the no-pressure way by checking out www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com and our MLS search tools...and check out these tips to help you in the decision process.
Zeroing in on a new home can be fun and exciting. But it can also be tiring and confusing. So before you start looking at houses, write down what you want in your new home. Start with the size of the house, number of rooms, most convenient layout, and desirable features. Prioritize the list, noting beside each item whether it is "nice to have" or "a must."
Plan for the foreseeable future
As you make the list, consider how long you will likely be in the house and how your family and lifestyle may change over time.
Keep your goals in mind
Bring the completed list with you when we plan the first house-shopping tour.
Be a comparison shopper
As you preview each house, jot down how it compares with your list. Fill in the blanks as you see fit--yes/no, good/fair/poor, etc. Keep your notes on each house to compare homes until you find the right house. Also note the features you would like to change in each house.
Housing Needs Checklist
Requirements
HOUSE AND LOT
Square footage __________________
Number of bedrooms __________________
Number of baths __________________
Closets/storage __________________
Basement __________________
Interior condition __________________
Yard space __________________
Fence _________________
Patio or deck __________________
Garage __________________
Energy efficiency __________________
Exterior condition _________________
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Parking __________________
Overall appearance __________________
Traffic and noise __________________
Snow/trash removal __________________
Fire and police __________________
Schools: Bus or walk __________________
Distance to school __________________
School district __________________
Quality measured by SAT scores or other criteria__________________
Amenities __________________
Distance to job __________________
Childcare __________________
Public transportation __________________
Major highways __________________
Stores/supermarkets __________________
Medical facilities __________________
Recreation _________________
Community services __________________
Restaurants __________________
Churches/synagogues __________________
Airports/trains __________________
Posted at 08:51AM Apr 22, 2010 by Rick Freeman in Real Estate | Comments[0]
