**SPONSORED CONTENT BY VALERIE HUNTER-KELLY**
We recently closed on the sale of our first home and found the experience to be somewhat unnerving. We liked our agent but weren’t sure the agent was prepared for some of the challenges we encountered. Now we are searching for our next home and want to be better prepared for the process. Is there some guideline we can consult to help us be better prepared?
Congratulations on the successful sale of your former home and on the ‘hunt’ for your next home? Here’s the Ten Commandments of Home Buying that might help you be prepared for the process that lies before you.
#4 Do Yourself a Favor and ‘Inspect what you Expect!’
You are about to make the largest financial investment of your life. It only makes sense to spend some time and money on inspecting what you are buying. This covers a wide range of ‘inspectings’ depending on what and where you are buying. Do not assume that you can do just anything with your property. Deed restrictions, city and county codes and other restrictions may impact your ‘enjoyment’ of your property, so if it’s an important use for you, check it out with the proper authorities. If the property is in a registered historic district there may be limitations on the improvements or modifications you can make to the property. Ask your REALTOR for directions to the proper resources to help you make informed decisions about the property you are thinking about buying. Ask you REALTOR for a list of licensed home inspectors to inspect the structural and mechanical condition of the property. And remember a licensed inspector isn’t there to report on cosmetic issues, but rather to inform you of the ‘working and living’ condition of the property.
#5 Expect the Unexpected.
Buying a new home is a process, not a retail transaction. Everything gets inspected and reviewed as the paperwork traverses the process. Additional requests for documentation may arise during the process. Don’t panic and don’t get frustrated, it is all a part of the ‘new’ home buying reality…which is a constantly evolving process. Home inspections may discover previously unknown and undisclosed conditions. Don’t panic. Discuss it with your REALTOR and decide what is most comfortable for you as the buyer. Things happen in the process of buying a home. As frustrating as they can sometimes be, the best response is to keep calm and carry on!
#6 Prepare your Shopping List
There are many websites that allow you access to a communities listed properties. This is great because it allows you to shop in privacy and comfort. Check out ours at www.clarksvillerealestatesearch.com. When you have your scheduled meeting with your prospective agent, take your shopping list with you. It should contain not more than three ‘must have’s’ and three ‘can’t have’s’. This is a fantastic starting point for conversation with your agent regarding the homes that you want to see. It will allow you to target with laser-like intensity on the few best houses that meet your needs, budget and expectations.
Check out next week’s concluding Commandments for Home Buying.
Valerie Hunter-Kelly is team leader of the Air Assault Team, a part of Keller-Williams Realty.
To buy a home, click here: www.airassaults.com
To sell a home, click here: www.virginhomesellers.com