BUYING GUIDE STEP 7 - VIEWING THE SELECTED HOMES
The purchase of a property is not something you should rush into, especially if you’re a first time buyer. While you must not forget that opportunities can be lost while dawdling, you should not feel pressurised, but move along at your own pace.
You have sat down with your agent and are clear about what you are looking for and what the definite non-no’s are. Your agent is beginning to prepare viewing lists for you. If you find out about any homes you would like to see, let them know and make the viewing arrangements for you.
Be prepared to look at quite a few properties. It may take a while for you to find the one you want.
Know the features that help or hurt resale.
In some areas, a swimming pool actually detracts from a home's value and makes it harder to sell. In neighbourhoods with two-car, attached garages, a single-car or detached garage may impact the home sale and future value. Your PROPERTY NETWORK professional can point out features that hurt, and those that help, resale value.
THE VIEWING PROCESS
Remember to bring your House Features Wishlist with you to help you remember exactly what it is you are looking for. Measure every home against those criteria. This will assist in keeping your search focused.
Now you have just spent the entire day looking at homes and now they have all become a giant blur. Which house had that beautifully designed great room? Was it the same one with the small master bedroom? You can remember what is important about each of the many properties that you saw by using the little tricks developed by real estate agents to help them identify the thousands of properties they see.
Why not nickname the houses--"the cow mailbox house" or "organic garden house"--anything to help you retain a mental picture of the property. This will enable you to recap the day and give your real estate agent important feedback that can speed up your search for the perfect home!
Carry a notebook with you when you are house-hunting, and give each house its own page. At the top of the page, note the address and price. Write down the exterior construction, style and color, as well as the color of the living room carpet and walls and any other major feature that will jog your memory later. You are also welcome to download our House Rating Checklist here.
Make immediate notes of the things you like and dislike and rate the house based on what you were wanting. A common rating system is to pick the house you like best on day one and compare all other houses to it. When you find a better one, use the new favourite as the standard.
Narrow down the selection and if you are serious about a property make sure you go back again to view again – maybe even at different times of the day and night
MAKING THAT DECISION
Before you begin the home buying process, resolve to act promptly when you do find the right house. Every agent has stories to tell about a couple who looked far and wide for their dream home, finally found it, and then said, "We always promised my Dad we'd sleep on it, so we'll make an offer tomorrow." Many times the story had a sad ending - someone else came in that evening with an offer that was accepted.
Resolve that you will act decisively when you find the house that’s clearly right for you. This is particularly important after a long search or if the house is newly listed and/or underpriced.
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