Fishers and Carmel may be recognized as among the best places in the country to live, but that doesn’t mean buying a home here, or anywhere, isn’t one of life’s most stressful experiences. As with everything, though, a little knowledge and a lot of good attitude can help ease some of your anxiety. The Haddad Team wants to do our part to help, too.
Choose a real estate agent who understands you. Purchasing a home is a huge financial commitment, as well as an emotional one. It’s critical that your real estate agent is experienced, knowledgeable, AND a good fit with your personality.
Remember that the right time is NOW. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess the interest rates or the housing market by waiting. Regardless of market conditions, good homes sell quickly.
Don’t ask for too many opinions. Of course you value the input of family and friends, but too much of a good thing makes it difficult to make a decision. Only you know what’s right for you!
Accept that nothing is perfect. And that includes houses. Instead, focus on the things that are most important to you and let the minor ones go, especially the ones you can change.
Take it all in. Your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself – room sizes, kitchen, flooring – that you forget to consider important points such as amenities, noise level, location, etc., that will have a big impact on what it’s like to live in your new home.
Get it together. Obtain mortgage pre-approval, investigate insurance availability, and consider a schedule for moving BEFORE you begin your home search. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues makes your bid much less attractive to sellers
Don’t play games. Although negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate buying and selling process, trying to “win” by submitting an unreasonably low offer may make you the loser in the end.
Quit looking. Once you’ve found the house you love and have a contract, don’t torture yourself by continuing to search for homes. Sure, there’s always the possibility of something better coming along, but if you liked this home well enough to sign a contract, there must be something special about it!Expect remorse. A little buyer’s remorse is inevitable, but know that it will probably pass. When buyer’s remorse does set in, pull out the list of Wants and Needs you used during your home search to remind yourself of all the great reasons you decided to buy your home in the first place.
Fall in love first. The best way to take the stress out of buying a home is to choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. A home’s most important role is as a comfortable, safe place to live.
