My Tips for Finding Your Perfect Home in the DMV

29 Aug My Tips for Finding Your Perfect Home in the DMV

Congratulations! You’ve made the important decision to purchase a new home.  It’s no secret the real estate market throughout the country has been tough, to say the least, for buyers. It’s important to go in with a clear understanding of the process for buying a home and a level set of expectations to ensure you reach your goals. Here are some quick tips I give my buyers to ensure their success:

• Have a clear understanding of your numbers — During our initial consultation one extremely important question I’ll ask is if you’ve spoken with a lender. Knowing what you’re willing to spend and what you’re approved to borrow may not immediately align. Alternatively, many purchasers find they may be approved to borrow much more than they’re comfortable spending. Added expenses such as utilities, homeowner’s association fees, maintenance, etc., must be considered as well. It’s important to have a clear understanding of your purchasing capacity and the terms of your loan before starting the house hunt. If you need to be connected to a lender, no worries! I can connect you with one of my trusted preferred lending partners.

• Identify your stakeholders early —This is a favorite of mine. As a prospective purchaser, it is important to involve your decision stakeholders early on in your process. Spouses, parents, or any trusted advisor that will have input on your decision should be identified early. The market here in the DMV is fast paced! That house that we toured and you fell in love with today may not be available tomorrow. If you will be seeking advice from others on your decision, it is important to get your stakeholders involved early so that once you identify your perfect home, you can act quickly without decision delays.

• Focus on your must-haves in a home —I get it. In the world of HGTV and social media, we all dream of wanting the perfect Instagram worthy home. But I often coach my buyers to look for the perfect VALUE in a home. It’s important to see your home purchase as an investment with opportunity to appreciate over time. Be flexible. What’s the only thing you can’t change about a house? It’s location! You’ve heard it before – LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! It’s the name of the game when it comes to real estate. Do your neighborhood research and prioritize location in your home search over features in a home. Cosmetic upgrades can be added over time. My work as your realtor doesn’t stop once you get the keys to your new home. If you need recommendations on preferred contractors I’ve worked with, just ask!