Househunting Etiquette 101
The day has finally come when you are ready to buy! It can be really exciting and also a little overwhelming. We have worked with hundreds of buyers – first time and repeat – and have been able to identify a few common tips on how to make your house-hunting fun and successful, and hopefully result in buying your dream house!
Step 1 – Consult with your Realtor ahead of time. Clearly establish your criteria, namely budget, minimum number of bedrooms, location, and other important factors to you. There are literally hundreds of homes on the market at any given time, and it can be overwhelming. While you don’t want to miss out on anything, you want to make sure the homes that meet your criteria are the ones you see first!
Step 2 – Make An Action Plan. We recommend seeing 3-5 homes per outing. Any more than that and it starts to get confusing, you forget about what house has what, and you lose focus. If those 3-5 homes don’t give you ‘the feeling’, move on. If you still don’t have ‘the feeling’ after viewing 10 homes that meet your criteria, it may be time to sit down and re-asses said criteria!
Step 3 – Pack Snacks. This is a small but important note to remember, especially if you’re seeing 5 homes. Surprisingly, getting in and out of your car, walking up dozens of flights of stairs, and keeping mental notes of each home can tire you out. A quick snack or drink can give you the energy to stay focused and get the maximum value from your house-hunting trip.