| When you’re looking for a new home, it’s | | | | your priorities could change. So take advantage of a |
| almost like you’ve picked up a second job. And | | | | realtor to help you sort through the numerous homes |
| that’s the way it should be. The time it takes to | | | | for sale, but keep looking anyway. |
| really evaluate the homes for sale in your desired | | | | Assessing the Homes for Sale |
| area is a good precursor for the financial investment | | | | Maybe you know exactly what you want in the |
| you are about to make. There are two main steps in | | | | homes for sale that you tour. Or maybe you’re |
| your process of finding appropriate homes for sale. | | | | still trying to decide what your highest priorities are. |
| The obvious first one is to locate them- not as | | | | Older house, lower cost- newer house, less |
| simple as it sounds. The second step is to evaluate | | | | maintenance? Since everyone’s priorities are |
| those homes for sale with a good set of criteria. | | | | different, one of the best tools for assessing homes |
| Locating Ideal Homes for Sale | | | | for sale is to create your own evaluation form. Make |
| The biggest problem isn’t locating homes for | | | | it out by hand, or design a simple spreadsheet. But |
| sale, it’s locating the right homes for sale. You | | | | make a few copies of the form and take it with to |
| know the methods- drive through neighborhoods, | | | | assess the homes for sale you are interested in. |
| online MLS listings, work with a realtor, scan the | | | | Items to include on your Homes for Sale Assessment |
| classifieds, and stock up on real estate homes for | | | | Form: |
| sale magazines. The issue can be one of there being | | | | • Structural and Maintenance concerns- Has the |
| too many homes for sale to even know where to | | | | home been well maintained? Any signs of wood or |
| start. Hiring a realtor can give you another set of legs | | | | water damage? Mold? |
| to eliminate stale and out of date listings and other | | | | • Amenities- Number of bedrooms and |
| inappropriate properties. But don’t think that | | | | bathrooms, kitchen and storage requirements, yard |
| hiring a realtor lets you off the hook completely. | | | | care and size, extras like sunrooms, garages, sheds |
| Even if you do choose to work with an agent, it will | | | | or pool |
| be in your best interest to always be on the look out | | | | • Locale- Proximity to schools, stores, busy |
| for homes for sale on your own. Here’s why. | | | | streets, your job, your family, type of |
| It’s in your realtor's best interest to sell you the | | | | neighborhood… |
| pricier home. Now honestly, a difference of a few | | | | • Red flags- How does the property handle |
| thousands dollars may not make that big a difference | | | | drainage? Are there dumps or industrial areas nearby? |
| in commission. But even the most honest realtor may | | | | Dangerous traffic areas, crash zones, on-going |
| not consider looking for deals below your stated price | | | | construction? |
| range of homes for sale. The other factor is that | | | | Primarily knowing what you want and having a way |
| only you really know what you want in the homes | | | | to compare the homes for sale you visit will put you |
| for sale you see. You may have told your realtor | | | | in a better position to make your final buying decision. |
| that you really need 4 bedrooms. But once you see | | | | In the process of buying a home, it is the most |
| that sprawling lawn of an otherwise perfect 3/2, | | | | informed buyers who end up happy homeowners. |