Take the Stress Out of Homebuying

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 peaceful as possible.


1. Find a real estate agent 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 chose 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 people will make it much
harder to make a decision. Focus on the wants and needs of your immediate
family — the people who will be 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, investigate home insurance, 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-home buying budget.
Even if you buy a new home, there will be 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 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 the property you purchased.


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 over
from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important role is to serve as a comfortable,
safe place to live.



Reprinted from REALTOR® magazine with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.