Looking for the right house is both exciting and exhausting as it takes a lot of time, energy, and work. That’s why getting the help you need, such as from a real estate agent, is important. However, before looking for a real estate professional, it is necessary to take your time writing down questions that you might ask when viewing your potential home.
Make sure that you have a full understanding of the features you want. A little research won't hurt. And once you have the details, you can look and compare them when viewing houses until you have decided on the right house suitable for you and your family.
Having a real estate agent is important when viewing a house. They can look for a specific house you want or get a better understanding of what are the things you like or dislike in a home. They are also more knowledgeable in answering all your queries and questions and can also give you advice if a house is good or not based on what you want.
You should consider having your partner or family attend the house viewing so they can also see the house first-hand and you can both decide together. This will also save time on your and your agent's end by eliminating houses that are not to your liking. Conversation with your partner or family is important to determine what kind of house you will be having and for this reason, it's ideal for both of you to look at every house.
Bringing family doesn't mean you need to bring your children. It's best that you don't bring them with you as they will need more attention and you will likely not be able to focus on looking at or viewing the house. Though considering their ideas and opinions can help you choose a house, especially the young adults. You can write down their ideas and have that with you when viewing without bringing them.
While bringing a real estate agent is convenient, they are proposing and sometimes encouraging you with houses that are way out of your budget. It's tempting especially when you are carried away with excitement. It's ok if you do have a budget, but what if you don't have one? It'll disappoint you and stress you out. So, focus on viewing houses that are within your budget and you can also learn to say NO if it doesn't fit within your requirements.
Having research also on the location that you want will help you pick the right house. Make sure that you do like the place and the neighborhood you wanted to live in. Check if it's safe and a friendly environment. You don't want to be stressed out with it later on.
You can ask if you are wondering why the house is being sold. This way, you will know why such a beautiful home is being sold by the owner. Some reasons might be because it's too far from their work or could be that they are moving to another state or abroad. By knowing this you can negotiate with your real estate agent, especially if the owner is selling it in a rush.
Checking how long the property has been on the market should also be on your list of questions. If it's been on the market for quite a long time, you can ask why it isn't selling. Ask the real estate agent specifically if anyone else has previously made an offer and why they then decided to withdraw it.
Or it could be for another reason. Sometimes the property is just overpriced and it stays too long on the market. This can be a good opportunity for you to make an offer to lower the price of the house by knowing the value of the property as a start.
Do research on the area you want to live in or ask your real estate agent if there are natural calamities frequently happening. It might be floods, earthquakes, tornados, or typhoons, to name some. You can also check on the disaster map zone if the area is safe to live in.
Comparable Houses Within The Area
Look for comparable prices with other houses. The price or value of the house should be reasonable enough compared to other houses. If the costs are higher than expected, be prepared to negotiate if you want to make an offer. Having a lower offer could mean there is a problem with the home that they are not telling you about.
Taking a Good Look at the Utilities
Ask your real estate agent if the house has been on a house inspection, though it's really in the process you have to make sure that everything is good. You don't want to burn money on the things that the seller should have been responsible for. You might want to take a look at the attics, basements, sinks, heaters, furnace filters, breaker boxes, and other areas.
Although sellers won't reveal everything, you have to listen carefully to any information they will give you about the home's condition. You can also ask if the house has been on any additional renovation. Sometimes, additions or renovations aren't reflected in the house's official record.
Surveying markers are also important as they will determine the boundaries of your yard. Make sure to look for it and that there are no fences or other structures that are beyond the line.
Know If There Are Any Easements
An easement is a neighbor's legal right to access your property. This may happen if, for example, a shared driveway or parking lot begins on your property and branches off to other homes. So, before you make any plans for your yard, you should know if there is anything you cannot change.
Again, writing down the questions based on the requirements of your home is helpful and will save you a lot of time. The real estate agent may also suggest additional questions based on what you are looking for. It's also important to write down the answers on the properties that you've viewed that can help you in considering which house to buy. Getting answers and knowing what to expect can help make the home viewing and buying process go more smoothly.
Caroline Soriano