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Searching for a new home is an exciting prospect, but the importance of making the right call can weigh heavily on your shoulders. Buying a house is a huge decision. If you’re on the hunt for a place to call home, this guide is packed with top tips to help you decide if you’ve found ‘the one.’
Try to avoid spontaneity
It’s great to be spontaneous in some situations, but when it comes to landmark financial and emotional investments like buying real estate, it’s wise to take your time. Try to avoid making an offer after the first viewing or shutting down other possibilities after you’ve seen one property. Unless you have to act urgently because there are other parties involved or houses are selling like hot cakes, take your time to digest information, process what you’ve seen, and think about how a property will fit in with your lifestyle and needs.
Visit the property as many times as you like
The first viewing can be misleading in some cases. Often, we go into a tour of a property with a real estate agent full of confidence, hope, and optimism. We see the standout features and benefits, and we’re swayed by sales talk, spectacular staging, and the excitement of a new property search. The second viewing provides a golden opportunity to verify if your thoughts and feelings are accurate. Repeat visits to a house or apartment give you a chance to look around properly, discover things you may have missed during the viewing, and zone in on what life would be like if you took the plunge. It’s important to view a property as many times as you need to feel confident that you’re making the right decision.
Hire a home inspector
Home inspections provide critical information for prospective buyers. If you’re on the cusp of moving forward, you’ve mentally moved in, and you’re excited to get the keys, the last thing you want is to unearth major issues down the line. Hiring an experienced home inspector is an excellent way to find out more about the condition of the property, learn about potential red flags, and help you decide whether that property is right for you. If there are problems, you can choose whether to proceed, pull out, or negotiate with the vendor. It’s best to identify issues, particularly those that need urgent attention, before you commit to buying the house.
Explore your options
We all go into the search for a new home hoping that we’ll fall head over heels and find the perfect pad. In many cases, this doesn’t happen. It’s wise to explore your options, be open-minded, and view a range of properties. You may also benefit from expanding your search area, considering different types and styles of homes, and thinking about how much work you’d be willing to do. Viewing multiple houses can help you pinpoint what you want and don’t want. It also gives you the opportunity to see what’s available if you adjust the criteria slightly.
Finding the perfect new home can be a roller coaster ride. If you’re looking for a new nest, it’s advisable to take your time, arrange multiple viewings and visits, hire a home inspector, and explore different options. You should never feel pressured into making decisions quickly.
