By Hannah Whittenly
Searching for a home is an important step and it should not be taken lightly. Keep in mind that approximately one out of four homeowners are unhappy with their homes, so don't join this group! Increase your chances of real estate happiness with the following tips.
Use Your Smartphone
One issue that can get in the way of appreciating a possible house is if you cannot see how renovations or furniture might look in the home. There are several smartphone applications that can help you by using a 3D image, taken by you. This will allow you to place furniture or renovations in the space to see how it may change the property—a great way to see if the house is really meant for you.
Hire Help
You may think that finding the right house is as simple as perusing real estate listings online or jumping in a car and visiting homes with a for sale sign on them. This could work, but it might take a long time to find a house. Finding the right home among thousands can get tedious. That is, of course, unless you have access to good REALTORS® who would be able to help you narrow down all of your options. Narrowing down choices can be as simple as saying that you need a house with two or three bedrooms, to something as small as making sure it has a fireplace.
Do Your Research
There are a number of sites that can help you find out the type of neighborhood that might be right for you to live in. Some crime rate and report sites will let you see the crime rate in the area of your possible home. This is valuable real estate information and might help prevent you from moving to an area that is not safe. You should also make sure that the house is in your budget, because mortgage payments are one of the reasons some homeowners are unhappy with their choices.
Location is Negotiable
Some homeowners who regret buying their homes feel like they were pressured into purchasing. Do not let yourself feel pressured. Take your time, and be sure to consider areas out of town as well. Remember that finding the right house is a magical experience, because the right place will speak to you. Having your REALTOR® expand your options should give you more real estate choices, and some homes might even be cheaper in certain areas.
Keep these tips in mind as you search for your home. When you find the right house, be sure not to stall because someone might snatch it off the market.
