Once you have met with a few real estate agents and decided on one to work with, you can now go out and start your search for a home. In today’s internet world, you can also search online for properties in so many places and then let your agent know that you have found some homes to look at. Some of these services include: your areas Multiple Listing Service, PropertyNut.com, Homes.com, Realtor.com, RealEstate.com to name a few.
From all of the different sources your agent should put together a list of potential homes for you to look at. Also, your agent will probably be able to email you daily listings in your area that fit your criteria. Once you are ready to head out with the agent for the first time to look at homes you will want to keep a few things in mind. Review Part 1 of this series: Work with a Real Estate Agent - Should I? Yes!
What Will This House Be Like With Me In It
As you drive up to and go through a home, keep imaging the house empty and then with your things in it. Imagine the home decorated they way you would decorate it. It is hard, but try not to let the seller’s things get in your way of visioning the home as it would if it were yours. Does it feels good to you? If so, put the home on your "see again" list and keep looking.
Ask yourself: does the room layout or floorplan fit my needs, is there enough light, how will the morning and evening lighting be, will the home need any updating (putting in new sinks and countertops for example) and if so do I want to do them or do I have the budget for them, how is the roof, do I see any stains in the ceiling or toilets or sinks. Any physical thing that you see that needs fixed or replaced you might want to negotiate with the seller about in your sales offer. Ask your agent about this as you talk about the home later. Keep very good notes on the homes you visit.
Shop With Your Heart and Your Feelings
When you go out to look at a home for the first time, you want to think with your heart instead of your head. What this means, you want to be looking at homes with your feelings and emotions. However, you are not going to be making a decision this first time viewing it unless it is absolutely the one. Sometimes it works out that way, but you do want to look at a variety of houses and look to revisit best of the ones that you feel good about. There are a lot of houses for sale so make sure you take your time to look around.
Also, since you are trying to look at a number homes in the beginning, try to keep the amount of time that you spend in each home kept down to a minimum since you are really only there to get a “feeling” about the home and move one. Be relaxed, have fun and let your imagination run wild.
Once you have gone through your first round of homes and you have a list of homes that you can see yourself living in, you’ll want to sit down with your real estate agent and go over each home. At this point you will want to put on your thinking hat and really look at the properties. One great viewpoint to look at the list is from that stand point of a real estate investor. Here is where your agent will become very important to you. They can help you step back from your emotion and feelings and guide you through what is a good buy and what it not.
Here are a few things to take with you when you go to out look at homes:
- A camera - so you can take pictures to remember what homes look like
- A notepad and pen or pencil to take notes on different homes or other things you want to remember
- A map that shows the areas where you are looking so you can mark where they are located
- A file folder to help you organize your paperwork. If you get a lot of emails from your agent and visit a lot of properties you'll have a lot to manage.
If you find a home that works for you and is a good investment, you will want to make an offer next.
Article submitted by Craig Cocciola. Craig has been a real estate land developer and real estate internet marketer since 1999. He is the owner of PropertyNut.com, The Internet's Best Real Estate Home Listing and Home Search website.
