many people will make it much harder to
make a decision. Focus on the wants and
needs of the people who will actually be
living in the home.
Accept The Reality
No house is ever perfect. If it's in the right
location, the yard may be a bit smaller than
you had hoped. The kitchen may be perfect,
but the roof needs repair. Make a list of
your top priorities and focus in on things
that are most important to you - taking into
account the costs associated with repair.
Let the minor ones go.
Don't Kill The Deal
Negotiation is definitely a part of the real
estate process, but trying to "win" by getting
an extra-low price or refusing to budge
may very well cost you the home you love.
In this sellers market there is probably
many offers behind yours just waiting for
a chance—think grand scheme instead of
nickel and diming.
Plan Ahead
Don't wait until you've found a home to
get approved for a mortgage, investigate
insurance, or consider a moving schedule.
Being prepared will make your bid more
attractive to sellers.
Abode Love Above Monetary
Appreciation
A home is still considered a great
investment, but its most important role is
as a comfortable, safe place to live.
3 Great Apps For
Home Hunters:
When You Need a
Fresh Point of View
Try HomeSnap. The
app lets you take a
snapshot of a home with your
smartphone's camera, and (thanks
to the wonders of GPS technology)
instantly get information about
the property. You'll see info on the
home's estimated value, how many
bedrooms/bathrooms it has, and if
it's for sale.
To Keep Track of
Every Home You See
Use the House Hunter
app. It will give homes
a grade based on how well they
match your criteria. You can also
take notes, give each home a
general score, and add photos to
track your faves (or rejects).
Seeing The Forest
For the Trees
Try taking helpful
panoramic photos with
the 360 Panorama app to better
keep track of the listings you see
and of course to envision and
reflect on the bigger picture.
