Buying a house is very exciting, and if you’ve never gone through the process before, you may be wondering what to expect. While home-buying experiences can vary based on your real estate agent and the area in which you are looking at homes, the buying process is similar for most people. Before looking at a house, it is essential to meet with a lender to see how much you are approved for so you have a budget for your new home.
Here are a few things to expect when looking for a house.
A great realtor will weed out the houses you won’t like.
When choosing a realtor, find someone with experience working in the area you want to live in. You can start your search online using your desired location. For example, you can search “best realtor in Oakland” to get a list of realtors who work in that specific area. A great realtor will listen to what you are looking for in a home and put together a list of possibilities for you to see. They are not going to waste your time showing you houses that are nowhere close to what you are looking for or way out of your price range. If you are unhappy with your realtor, let them know how you feel.
Your realtor may send you links for virtual tours to help narrow down the list of houses you will tour. The real estate market has grown considerably in recent years, and it is essential to act fast when you find a home you like. Your real estate agent will reach out to the selling agent on your behalf to negotiate a deal. You will only interact with your realtor.
You’re going to do a lot of walking.
Looking at multiple houses means you will be doing a lot of walking and possibly a lot of stairs. You are going to need suitable footwear and insoles that offer arch support. If you quickly get pain or discomfort in the foot’s arch from physical activity, you may have a high arch or a low arch and should consult your doctor. Buying insoles to insert in your shoes can help alleviate or prevent some of the pain while walking through houses and around properties all day. You may also want to bring bottled water and Tylenol with you if you will be going all day.
Don’t be afraid to make notes as you go.
If you are going to see several houses, you may be so tired at the end of the day that you don’t remember which house was which. The simple solution is to take notes throughout the day. If your realtor provides you with printed information about each property, you can make notes directly on those. If not, you can bring a notebook with you and make notes about the features you liked about each house. That way, when you get home, you can remember which house had the porch you loved or the finished basement.
House hunting is like an adventure, and your real estate agent is your guide. You are relying on their expertise and research to show you houses that you may want to buy. If the agent is showing you homes that are nothing like what you asked for, it is essential to address the issue quickly so as not to waste more time. Also, you may want to bring someone with you for a second opinion or second set of eyes, but choose someone who knows what you like and will support your decision-making so they aren’t making the process more complicated.
