what your non-negotiables (your needs) are insofar as the features of your next home are concerned, and then write a new list of your wants — the elements in a home that would be “nice to have” but not critical. Seriously considering these two lists, and putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) will significantly help both you and your agent during the home-search process, narrowing the options and saving yourself a lot of time and headache. Remember, your ideal new home should meet all of your needs, and hit some of your wants. No home is perfect, and you need to be prepared to make some concessions, should the situation warrant it.
Step #4: Look at Homes
This is part of the fun of the home-buying process, but it can also be a bit tricky to navigate. The fun is seeing what’s out there, particularly how the options fit in line with your needs and at least some of your wants. It’s exciting to picture yourself in a new home, a new home that will better suit your needs, your situation, and your lifestyle as you enter the next chapter of your life. Visiting several open houses — with professional representation, of course — is a great opportunity for you to figure out what’s out there within your price range and your spectrum of needs, what is and what isn’t the right home for you, and then finding it! So that’s the fun and exciting part. The tricky part involves closer, more careful inspection, as you examine each property’s condition so you know exactly what you’d be getting if the home becomes yours. This is when you hire a qualified home inspector (when you think you might have found “the one,” so they can inspect everything about the home, including structural issues, doors and windows, plumbing and electrical systems, heating, water damage or mold, infestations, and, if applicable, issues related to the yard, driveway, and walkway(s).
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