3 easy ways to streamline your home search

Looking for a home can be a long process, but it doesn’t have to be if you know how much you can spend, what you are looking for, and where you are wanting to find it! If you follow these 3 easy steps you can save yourself a lot of time and energy when searching for the house of your dreams!

1. Know how much you can spend

Financing should be your first step in the real estate process. Knowing how much you can spend can save you the heartbreak of finding a great home only to find out that you can’t afford it!  This market can be a great one for buyers provided that you have your financing (loan) all ready to go.  Given the current state of the economy, you want to take the time to do as much research on your lender as you do on your real estate agent and your home.  You need to know that you can trust your lender and the suggestions that they make regarding your loan.  It is also important to know how much money you are going to have to pay to get the loan; i.e. closing costs.  This can have a direct impact on how much money you will have available to use as earnest money.  It can also help you in the negotiating process as many buyers are asking the sellers to pay for some, if not all, of these costs.   So get your financing in order - then go get that home!

2. Wants vs. Needs - what kind of house are you looking for?

As a realtor there is nothing more frustrating than asking a client what they are looking for in a home and hearing “I’m not really sure.”  This is the place you are going to live! Give it a lot of thought! Do you need three bedrooms in order to accomodate your family? Are you wanting your own sink so that your husband can dirty his own? Is a yard important for your pet? Is a garage important because you are sick of getting wet as you walk to your car? These are just a few things to consider when looking for a home.  In addition to knowing what you must have, you should also think about the areas where you are willing to make compromises.  Can you forgo that great yard if there is a park within walking distance? Is a smaller kitchen okay if you get an awesome outdoor patio?

Here are a few things that we recommend you give some serious thought to before looking for your home. 

• number of bedrooms
• number of bathrooms
• garage &/or room for how many cars
• kitchen appliances/counterspace
• yard required
• new construction or fixer

3. Where do you want to live?

Now that you have an idea of what you are looking for, the next question is where to find it!  Having an idea of where you want to live can save you and your realtor a ton of time in the search process. This doesn’t mean that you can’t say “I would like to live in Seattle”, but if your answer is “I would like to live within 30 minutes of downtown Seattle” that is pretty vague.   Sometimes giving your agent some additional information about what you are looking for in your future neighborhood can be very helpful.  If you want lots of parks and things within walking distance that can eliminate a lot of areas.  If you are seeking privacy and serenity, that can knock some other areas out as well.  Take a sunday drive and just look at what is out there.  Let your agent know what you like and what you don’t and then see what they say. 

If you already have a certain neighborhood in mind - share that with your agent!  Your time is valuable so don’t waste it looking at homes that you know you would not buy because of location.  You may find that some neighborhoods are not in your price range, or are if you are willing to compromise on style and size.  Other neighborhoods might be in your price range but don’t offer the amenities that you want.  There are lots of things to consider regarding the location of your home as well.  Here are just a few. . .

• proximity to job
• access to public transporation
• traffic
• school district
• walking/driving distance to amenities
• parking availability
• resale
• lot size

There is a home out there for everyone, but that doesn’t mean that you have to see everyone’s house to find your own!  Take some time to think about what you are looking for, where you would like to find it, and how much you are willing to pay to get it!  Doing this can save you a lot of time and get you into your dream home a lot faster!

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