Finding a New Home on a Tight Schedule

Wouldn't it be nice if you had all the time in the world to find your next dream home? You could leisurely browse the current listings, select homes you'd like to see, schedule visits on dates that are most convenient for you, and make an offer on a property only after you've had plenty of time to consider all the alternatives.

Sure, that sometimes happens, but it's not typical. Often, people shopping for a home are on a timeline. Like when you choose to sell prior to purchasing and your closing date is coming up fast.

So how do you find your next dream home when you don't have all the time in the world?

First, you need to develop a clear picture of the home you're looking to buy. How many bedrooms? What size of property? What type of structure (two story, back split, etc.)? Then, you need to list your preferences. These might include "large kitchen" or "main floor office".

Once you've completed that exercise, you'll have a more detailed profile of the type of property you want. That will make it easier to decide which of the listings on the market you want to see.

You should also narrow down the area in which you'd like to live. If you have three or four targeted areas, and only consider listings in those areas, your home search will be much faster.

What if you don't know the neighbourhoods well? Visit a few. Drive around. Explore. Get as much neighbourhood data as possible, such as demographics, recreational activities, parks, shopping, schools, etc. Then choose the neighbourhoods that fit your lifestyle. (Click for Kitchener and Waterloo info)

Finally, the best way to find a new home on a tight schedule is to work with the right real estate agent — someone who, like me, is experienced in the local market. I can save you countless hours of searching, and help you narrow down your options. As always it doesn’t cost you anything to work with a Realtor to purchase a home and we protect your best interest.

As always if you have any questions, or are just looking for an update on the market, call me anytime.

Balancing the Emotional and Practical Sides of Buying a Home

Imagine this scenario:

You're shopping for a new home. You drive to visit a recent listing. As you walk through the front doors, you're impressed. Every room looks fantastic. You see yourself relaxing on the spacious patio, cooking in the modern kitchen, and enjoying evenings with the family in the cozy living room.

Your emotions are on overdrive. This is your dream home!

Should you make an offer? Probably. In fact, you should make that decision quickly in case there are other interested buyers.

However, your decision shouldn't be guided purely by emotion. You want to make sure you take practical matters into consideration too.

For example, you'll want to consider:

• Is the property within your price range?

• Does it have everything you need?

• Do you like the neighbourhood?

• How old is the property? Are there items, such as the furnace, that

  may need to be replaced soon?

• Will it need any major repairs or upgrades?

• What are the average monthly costs of carrying the home? (Property taxes, utilities, etc.)
  

Once you've considered the purchase of the home from a practical standpoint, you'll have a lot more confidence in your decision when you make an offer.

Need help? Call me.