FINDING THE “ONE”
In an article on Realtor.com, author Jeanne Sager points to three very different home-search experiences to prove that getting to home ownership does not follow a one-way path. Her first example is Becky Dacona and her husband, who checked out just one home before making an offer and purchasing it. This isn’t standard, but it does happen. How do these buyers know that something better isn’t out there? Dacona says the secret was doing a thorough vetting job online. “In reality we searched for about three years,” she said. “We would first search the listings and find things in our price range and that met our requirements. Then we would do extensive research online about the place, like the taxes, and check out Google Earth to see how the home was situated in relation to the neighbors. Then, if we still liked what we saw, we’d compile a list and do a drive-by.” She and her husband prepared; their search wasn’t random or simply lucky. Their research led to them cruising by a house for sale in Upstate, New York. They took a look inside, contacted the real estate agent, submitted their offer, and made their purchase. “Doing thorough research online can really help you narrow your options — and save you time and effort,” writes Sager. In contrast, another home shopper Sager interviewed, Steven Eliades, looked at houses for years. “You name it, I looked at it,” Eliades said. “There was something just not right. The yard was too big. The yard was too small. It was too far from town.” Eventually, he found the perfect Victorian home that met his needs and even had extras, such as a wraparound porch and an active, vibrant community with neighbors and a nearby grocery store.
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