GET PRE-APPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE BEFORE YOU START YOUR SEARCH

One way to show you’re serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or preapproved for a mortgage. Even if you’re in a market that is not as competitive, understanding your budget will give you the confidence of knowing whether or not your dream home is within your reach. This will help you avoid the disappointment of falling in love with a home well outside your price range.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR ‘MUST-HAVES’ AND ‘WOULD-LIKE-TO-HAVES’

Do you really need that farmhouse sink in the kitchen to be happy with your home choice? Would a two-car garage be a convenience or a necessity? Before you start your search, list all the features of a home you would like. Qualify them as ‘must-haves’, ‘should-haves’, or ‘absolute-wish list’ items. This will help you stay focused on what’s most important.

RESEARCH AND CHOOSE A NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE YOU WANT TO LIVE

Every neighborhood has its own charm. Before you commit to a home based solely on the house itself, take a test drive of the area. Make sure it meets your needs for “amenities, commute, school district, etc., and then spend a weekend exploring before you commit.”

DOCUMENT YOUR HOME VISITS

Once you start touring homes, the features of each individual home will start to blur together. Make notes on the listing sheet to document what you love and don’t love about each property you visit.