Don't Buy the First Home You See
When you’re looking for a new home, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement—especially if you’re a first-time home buyer.
Unless the first house you see is a complete dump, your mind can go directly to what color you’d paint the walls, the great housewarming party you’ll throw on the deck, and how relaxing it’ll be to spend your Sundays reading by the pool.
It helps to stay at a bit of a remove when you're just starting out on your search. Here's how you can be an informed buyer.
Find other homes to compare it to
If you look at a couple of different houses you can stop looking at the big picture (you’re going to be a homeowner!) and start looking at the details.
You’ll start to realize you really hate split-level homes, that privacy in your backyard is a must-have, and that you don’t really care what your countertops are made out of.
Explore different neighborhoods
Getting a good feel for the neighborhood can be crucial for finding a home you’ll be happy in for a long time. You might start your search with a neighborhood in mind, but your real estate agent can make some other suggestions along the way.
While that hip, up-and-coming neighborhood might seem like a great place in theory, you might actually be more comfortable in a quiet, suburban cul de sac. Don’t worry—we won’t judge.
Your agent will start to learn what you like
Your agent can only go by what you tell her.
But as you start to see houses and explain what you do and don’t like about each one, she’ll be able to get a better idea of what kind of home you’ll like and be able to help you find one that meets all your criteria.
No buyer’s remorse
Once you’ve looked at a couple of different houses, you can be more confident in your decision. Trust us, the time it takes to look at the extra houses will be well worth it when you’re not staying up at night wondering if you made the right decision.
If you’re really confident the first house is the house for you, at least look one or two others the same day, sleep on it, and make an offer in the morning.
Let us walk you through buying your first house with tips from our education center.