Home Search
Searching Strategically
Before we hop into the home search, I like to advise my clients to create a "Needs" list and a "Wants" list. This will help us focus on the most essential things in your future home.
Needs are the non-negotiable features, the features you simply must have in your next home. Wants are the ones you’d like to have, but you can add or change down the road.
Don't feel like your first draft has to be your final draft—and above all else, remember you can't change the lot, the location, or the price you paid, so spend a reasonable amount of time thinking through those three before moving on.
Needs might be things like:
• Enough square footage to grow
• Sufficient bedrooms and bathrooms
• First-floor master bedroom
• Close proximity to work and school
• Attached two-car garage
• Grassy yard for the dog
Wants will look more like:
• Specific paint or exterior color
• Pool, jacuzzi, or hot tub
• Fenced-in backyard
• Specific carpet, hardwood floors, or tile
• Kitchen amenities like granite countertops
• Walk-in shower or double bathroom vanity
Searching Strategically Online
Now that you've got your wants vs. needs list in hand, the fun really begins! It's time to discuss narrowing down those listings and deciding which ones to see in person. First up, let's talk about best practices for searching online. No doubt you know the sites (Realtor.com, Zillow, Redfin, Trulia), but how can you get the desired results? Try some of these tips.
Use the search filters but not too much. You don't want to restrict your search so tightly that you only have a handful of homes to view. Keep your wants vs. needs list in mind, expand your geographic search, and add 25-50K to your max price since homes often sell under asking.
Check out the Google street view if you find something that catches your eye. Online pictures can be deceiving, so a virtual ‘walk down the street’ will give you a better sense of the house and surrounding area.
Don’t shy away from a home because it is “pending” or “under contract.” Pending contracts do fall through, so keep it on your list, especially if it checks all your boxes.
After you've found a few homes you like, jot down the MLS number and address. Shoot the list to me, and I will call the listing agents to gather pertinent info and gauge the seller's motivation. At this point, it's time to look at the calendar and find a chunk of time to tour the homes on your shortlist. Carve out more time than you think you'll need since you don't want to be rushed if you find a home that may be "the one."
Making the Most of Your Showings
You're SO READY to get inside those homes on your shortlist and see for yourself if one of them is soon-to-be your new address. I know you're excited, but you gotta go into those showings calm, cool, and with your thinking cap on. Here's a quick list of how to do just that:
Before a showing, read over your wants vs. needs list and revisit your budget. Having this fresh on your mind will help you stay objective and focused. Take pictures and videos to refresh your memory later and help you process with friends and family.
Remember, you can’t change the lot or the location, so make sure you love both. You also don’t want to be the priciest home on the block. I will help you assess whether or not that’s the case.
Don't let yourself get distracted by decor or staging. Stay focused on the house. What can or cannot be easily changed? Staging and decor aren't here to stay but are there to give you an idea of what "home" could look like for you.
Take your time. If a home makes a good first impression, let me know you're interested and would like to spend more time looking around. This is one of the largest purchases you'll ever make, so it's worth learning as much as possible while you're there.