8 Tips for Navigating Your Home Search

Spring is here! Don't let the unwanted snow this week stop you from searching for your dream home! Below are eight tips to help you with your house hunting.

To the right is a peek of the properties that will be open for you to view on Sunday, March 27.  

If you have any comments or suggestions for House Hunt, please let us know in the comments section below or feel free to send an email to Teasha@BivinsRealtyGroup.com.

8 Tips for Navigating Your Home Search

1. Research before you look. Decide what features you most want to have in a home, what neighborhoods you prefer and how much you’d be willing to spend each month for housing. 

2. Be realistic. It’s OK to be picky, but don’t be unrealistic with your expectations. There’s no such thing as a perfect home. Use your list of priorities as a guide to evaluate each property.

3. Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and closing costs. Then, talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage. This will save you the heartache later of falling in love with a house you can’t afford.

4. Don’t ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion, but be ready to make the final decision on your own.

5. Decide your moving timeline. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area? All of these factors will help you determine when you should move.

6. Think long term. Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in this home for a longer period? This decision may dictate what type of home you’ll buy as well as the type of mortgage terms that will best suit you.

7. Insist on a home inspection. If possible, get a warranty from the seller to cover defects for one year.

8. Get help from a REALTOR®. Hire a real estate professional who specializes in buyer representation. Unlike a listing agent, whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer’s representative is working only for you. Buyer’s reps are usually paid out of the seller’s commission payment. 

Open Houses scheduled for Sunday, March 27.

144 Idlewood Drive $525,000/Colonial/3 beds,2 baths/2-4 p.m/William Pitt Sotheby's

58 Elizabeth Avenue $565,000/Col/Cape/4 beds, 2 baths/2-4p.m/William Pitt Sotheby's

20 Ravenglass Drive $2,390,000/5 beds,4 baths/1-4 p.m/William Pitt Sotheby's

2 Lake Windermer Drive $2,375,000/4beds,4 baths/1-4 p.m./William Pitt Sotheby's

2 Calder Bridge Drive $2,375,000/5 beds,3 baths/1-4 p.m/William Pitt Sotheby's

24 Verplank Avenue $710,000/4 beds,2 baths/1-4 p.m/William Raveis

123 Harbor Drive $739,000/3 beds, 3 baths/1-3 p.m/William Pitt Sotheby's

305 Stamford Avenue $919,000/3 beds, 3 baths/1-3 p.m/ William Pitt Sotheby's

28 Hobson Street $1,789,000/7 beds, 4 baths/1-4p.m./Coldwell Banker 

Source: CMLS

New listings for the week of March 13-19

213 Hubbard Ave/Single Family/ 2 Car Garage/ 3 beds, 3.5 baths/ 2,500Sqft $698,000

24 Verplank Ave/Single Family/1 Car Garage/4 beds, 2.5 baths/ 1,216 Sqft $710,000

19 Wishing Well Lane/ Single Family/ 2 Car Garage/3 beds, 3.5 baths/2,768 Sqft $715,000

69 Club Road/Single Family/2 Car Garage/ 5 beds, 3 baths/3,040 Sft $739,000

Source: CMLS

Happy House Hunting!