Research shows that homebuyers take an average of 73 days to finalize the deal. According to the National Association of Realtors, 50% of homebuyers find and purchase houses online, and 28% of people buy homes through their real estate agents.
A 2019 report highlights that the average time buyers spend searching for a house in the local market is 10 weeks. Finding the right home is the most challenging step in the home buying process. In today’s article, we will tell you about 7 ways to narrow down your home search. Read on!
1.Explore Property Search Sites
Property search websites are valuable resources that offer various tools to search for a dream home. Most property search sites, such as Realtor, Home Finder, and Zillow, allow you to set parameters for your needs. You can register on one of these sites and turn “ON” notifications so that the site notifies you every time it lists a new home.
Make sure you pay attention to the listing process and analyze the previous sales in the local market to get useful insights. Check with your real estate agent to streamline your online house searching process. Combine online tools with your real estate agent’s knowledge and guidance for a successful home buying process.
2. Find a Real Estate Agent Online
Although word-of-mouth referrals are a common way to find a professional real estate agent, you can find a reliable agent online to speed up the buying process. Perform a Google search to find agents’ profiles in your local area.
Review each agent’s website, check their social media pages and consumer ratings. Scour your neighborhood to determine which companies and realtors have listing homes, and attend open houses to meet the agent in person.
While searching online, don’t forget to review the real estate agent’s biography, years of experience, interests, and the markets in which he or she works. For example, you can find unedited reviews of realtors on their profile pages, allowing you to choose the right professional.
Take your time and compare your options to select the best real estate agent. There are various factors to consider when choosing the best realtor for your home searching or buying. These include:
Experience
Availability
Relevant Certifications
Local Market Knowledge
Level of Personal Attention
Commitment and Contracts
3. Know Your Needs and Wants
Determining your budget or price range is an essential aspect of the home buying process. Calculate the price based on your income and savings. For instance, if your monthly income is somewhere between $5,000 and $7,000, you need to multiply it by 25% to get the maximum mortgage payment. You can use a mortgage calculator online to determine your budget.
Besides, you will have to focus on your preferred style and size of the home. For example, how many people will live with you? Will you host a lot of guests? Are you looking for a single-family, condo, or townhome?
Answering these questions will narrow your home search and make it easy to find the right house. You can also use search filters on property websites to find a suitable home. Consult your real estate agent for additional information or discuss the search results with him or her for guidance.
4. Focus on the Neighborhood Features
Narrow down your home search to specific neighborhoods even if you have chosen a specific area or town. There is no point in buying a perfect house if you are not comfortable with the community around it.
Consider the type of amenities you need or want in the neighborhood, such as walking trails, community pool, and lake, access to a shopping center, park, or lake. Check if the township or condo community offers lawn care and maintenance services for an affordable fee.
Do you prefer driving on backroads, or is highway access a must for you? Look for these aspects online or ask your real estate agent about the amenities you want or need in the neighborhood.
5. Establish your Home Features Needs
After getting a general idea online and combining it with your realtor’s insightful knowledge and guidance, start making a list of home features that you need. For instance, do you need a garage or storage shed? Are you looking for plenty of parking?
Do you need a large, fenced-in yard to protect your children or pets? Do you want two bedrooms or three bedrooms for your household? Whatever you need, it is crucial to make a list before you contact the seller. Your real estate agent can be of great help when it comes to establishing your home features list.
6. Hone into Details
Although you have a list of things you want in a home, you must also focus on your preferences for other features and dig in for more details. For example, consider factors like flooring type, HVAC system, the home’s age, the number of appliances, architectural style preferences, open-concept floorplan, etc.
Make a list and post it on property websites, real estate forums, social media groups, and pages. You can also provide your real estate agent with the list, and he or she will use it to find a perfect home for you in your preferred neighborhood.
7. Visit the Home in-person
After you have established criteria, use a home search tool with filters to further narrow your search to meet your specific needs. Read listings and review photos to determine the homes that match your criteria.
It is crucial to view the home in person because online pictures can be misleading and deceptive. That way, you can carefully examine the interior and exterior environment of the house. For example, is the home surrounded by traffic or overrun with people? Is the environment quiet?
Make sure you visit the home twice because a first impression is sometimes misleading. If you feel the same way on your second visit, it is a good sign, meaning you can take further action to buy the home.
