Hunt for a Home Like a Pro

Are you on the hunt for a home? Studies report that 49% of home buyers use the internet to find a home, 31% use a real estate agent, and 7% look for ‘For Sale’ signs and ‘Open House’ signs in yards. There are various sources to find a home, and if you want to hunt for a home like a pro, here are some simple tactics that will make your experience much more efficient, pleasurable, and likely to land you a home you want to buy.

House Hunting Tactics

1. Know what you can afford. A price range usually narrows the field considerably. If you need help determining how much you can afford, ask an agent to help you work through that math. Getting pre-qualified with a mortgage company can also help you find the answer to this question.  
2. Know where you want to live. Each neighborhood offers its own flavor of amenities and schools. Understanding things like walk scores, commute times, and the quality of the school district can have a significant impact on your choice. The Prescott Quad Cities has numerous subdivisions, and to learn about each community, visit our town information pages here: Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, or Dewey-Humboldt. 
3. Know what type of home you want. How much room do you need? What do you envision for your future? Do you love gardening, or would you rather never worry about a lawn? Do you work from home? Do you want a historic home? Is a new construction your dream? First, know what you can afford, then look at each of your desires and priorities.
4. Give yourself plenty of time at showings. You may have an urge to see as many homes as you can in a single day or weekend, but feeling the crunch of the clock can keep you from thoroughly inspecting the house and getting a feel for the property. Open drawers, cabinets, and walk around the yard area as well. 
5. Sign up for property alerts. Homes pop up on the market all the time, and you will want to know when they do. Sign up on our website to receive alerts when a home that meets your parameters becomes available. Enter your search criteria, and after viewing the results, select ‘Save Search’ and enter your contact information. Taking this step may give you the competitive edge you need to secure your home.  
6. Tell friends and family what you’re search criteria. One of the best times to find your home is before it’s on the market. Friends, family, work associates, and their network of friends may know someone who’s thinking about selling just the sort of house you want. Ask around!

Starting the home searching process is an exciting time. If you have questions, ask me, Real Estate is my specialty. I am more than happy to help you work through this process with you. Contact me today about your home search.