Buyer process Step 3
You're finally here! At the house hunting step! This step is always approached with excitement but it's so much work! You go into the process with the list of the things that are your wants and needs, but then those get stretched when you get to see what homes are available in your price range and in your desired neighborhood.
Keep in mind things can be changed, and easily. Walls can be painted. Floors can be redone. Countertops and cabinets can be changed. Landscaping can be planted. Can you live with something while you save the money to change it?
Every neighborhood can be described from 3 viewpoints: the people who live there now, what it look like and where it's services are located. No matter how hard you gather data on a neighborhood, nothing compares to the information the locals can provide. Talk to as many people as you can and consider the following things:
Do neighbors socialize regularly?
Do they organize things like holiday parties, sports teams, movie nights, etc?
Are cars mostly parked in garages, driveways or on the street?
Is there a Homeowners Association?
How do the children go to school? Are there a lot of kids in the neighborhood?
Are there ordinances on pets? Lawns? Parking?
Are there disadvantages to living there?
Is there a busy road nearby, or a train you can here everyday?
Are you in a flight path for the local airport? Is there possible flooding?
Online, Long and Foster has a great website you can use to search for homes. Your realtor will be able to send you listings that match your needs as well as let you know when homes are "coming soon". Sites like Realtor and Zillow are great to look on, but your realtor will be your best source of information relevant to your area.
And finally, when researching your neighborhood, don't forget to check out our Neighborhoods section to learn more information.
Keep in mind things can be changed, and easily. Walls can be painted. Floors can be redone. Countertops and cabinets can be changed. Landscaping can be planted. Can you live with something while you save the money to change it?
Every neighborhood can be described from 3 viewpoints: the people who live there now, what it look like and where it's services are located. No matter how hard you gather data on a neighborhood, nothing compares to the information the locals can provide. Talk to as many people as you can and consider the following things:
Do neighbors socialize regularly?
Do they organize things like holiday parties, sports teams, movie nights, etc?
Are cars mostly parked in garages, driveways or on the street?
Is there a Homeowners Association?
How do the children go to school? Are there a lot of kids in the neighborhood?
Are there ordinances on pets? Lawns? Parking?
Are there disadvantages to living there?
Is there a busy road nearby, or a train you can here everyday?
Are you in a flight path for the local airport? Is there possible flooding?
Online, Long and Foster has a great website you can use to search for homes. Your realtor will be able to send you listings that match your needs as well as let you know when homes are "coming soon". Sites like Realtor and Zillow are great to look on, but your realtor will be your best source of information relevant to your area.
And finally, when researching your neighborhood, don't forget to check out our Neighborhoods section to learn more information.
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