Homeowner Challenge 05 | Deciding Which Homes to Tour
You’ve done it! You’ve made it to Week 5 of the 90 Days to Homeowner Challenge! Yesss!
Now that you’ve got your wants vs. needs list in hand, the fun really begins! It’s time to talk about 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, but how can you get the results you want?
A few tips:
Use the search filters but don't restrict your search so tightly that you only have a handful of homes to view. Keeping your wants vs. needs list in mind, expand your geographic search, and be sure to factor in a cushion on your max price since homes often sell above asking.
If you find something that catches your eye, check out the Google street view. 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 “contingent.” 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 your agent and let them call the listing agents to gather pertinent info and gauge the seller’s motivation and schedule showings.
If you’ve been working through the 90 Day to Homeowner Challenge, way to go! You’re SO close to knowing all there is to know about the home buying process.
And who knows? 2021 may be the year your homeownership dreams become your long-awaited reality.
Check Out Our Other 90 Day to Homeowner Challenge Blog POSTS
