Columbia Missourian Real Estate This Week - There Is No Perfect House
by Mark Stallmann, GRI, ePRO
Chief Executive Officer
St. Charles Association of Realtors®
It is a beautiful Sunday afternoon, but instead of enjoying the day you are trudging up the steps to what may be your “dream home.” You walk inside and soon discover, like the many others you have seen, this house is not perfect! You turn to your Realtor® and tell him or her that you want to keep looking.
If this sounds like you, you are like Don Quixote in search of something that doesn’t exist. The first lesson you must learn in your search for “your place to call home” is that the perfect house does not exist. No matter what price range you are looking at, there will always be something about the house that you will probably want to change. Even buyers of new homes often discover after moving in that there is something they wish they had done differently.
The trick is to “not sweat the small stuff” and concentrate on what is important. Pick your new home based on things that matter such as number of rooms and baths, location, and condition. Minor things such as paint color or landscaping can be dealt with after you move in. It may take a little money or “sweat equity” to turn your new house into your “dream home.”
The fact that there is no perfect home is one of many things to remember when you begin your search for your corner of the American Dream. Some other things to remember when you begin your home-buying journey are:
1. There is no “right time” to buy a home. If you find a home now, buy it! Don’t try to wait for the interest rates to drop or the market to change before taking the home-buying plunge. Changes don’t usually occur fast enough to make much difference, and the home you want may be gone if you wait too long.
2. Pick a Realtor® you’re comfortable with. Home-buying is both a big financial commitment and an emotional one. Having a Realtor® by your side who is both skilled and a good fit with personality will make the process smoother.
3. Get your financing in order. Don’t wait until you have found a house and have it under contract to contact a lender. Your offer to purchase will be much more attractive to a seller if you already have your financing in place. Visiting a lender at the beginning of the process will give you an accurate picture of what you can afford and help make the home-buying journey a smooth ride.
4. Don’t negotiate your way out of your dream home. Negotiations are always a part of the home-buying process, but ideally it is a win-win situation for both buyer and seller. If you try to be a “killer negotiator” and do your best to take advantage of the seller when it comes to price and contract terms, you may end up “blowing the deal” and driving the seller to another buyer.
5. Don’t ask too many opinions. It is only natural to seek the opinions of family and friends when making such a big decision. Too many opinions and ideas will make it more difficult for you to make a decision on which house is best for you.
6. Your new home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself, such as roof, kitchen etc., that you forget other important things. Neighborhood amenities; noise; traffic; and proximity to work, schools, and shopping will have an effect on your quality of life and the enjoyment of your new home.
7. Buy the home that you love! While homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually nationwide over the last few years, your new home’s most important role is to be a safe, comfortable place for you and your family.
Finally, remember that your Realtor® is there to provide his or her service and expertise to help you through the home-buying process. To maximize his or her help, you must be completely open and honest with your Realtor®. Tell him or her you are looking for in a new home. Let him or her know what you like or don’t like about the homes you see. Working closely with your Realtor®, your journey to “a place to call home” can be a trouble-free and enjoyable journey.
