Buying a home is not like going to the mall to pick up socks and underwear. It takes some planning, teamwork and organization to make the right buying decision. Most buyers will go through three stages of contemplation before making their final decision: logic, emotion and then a combination of the two.

First, sit down with paper and pencil in hand. Write down every single thing you can think of that you desire from your new home. It’s a logical list of needs and wants. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Location:

• How far am I willing to commute each day to work, and other daily activities?
• Is there a church of our religion nearby?
• How far are the schools, and in what school district?
• Will we be close to grocery stores?
• Too close to the highway or close enough?
• Are we near parks or biking/walking paths?

Needs:

• Two-car or three car garage?
• Detached or attached?
• How many bedrooms?
• How many baths?
• Basement or crawl space?
• How much storage space overall?
• Do we want to climb stairs or do we want one level living?
• Do we need room where we can expand the family?
• Do we need a 2,800 square foot home or would we prefer an 1,800 square foot home?
• Do we want a small or large yard?

Wants:

• Big kitchen adjoining the family room or small-secluded kitchen?
• Home office/study/den?
• Walk-out basement or garden level?
• Direction the home faces (for sun exposure)?
• Big master bedroom/bathroom suite?
• Oversized secondary bedrooms?
• Covered patio, deck?
• Landscaping provided?

Criteria in hand, you are ready for the first step…Find a good Realtor.

A Realtor will save you time and money. How do you know who to pick?

1. The best way is to get recommendations from your friends and relatives that recently have had a good experience in selling or buying a home.
2. Interview these Realtors and pick one that matches your expectations.
   • Can they work to meet my schedule?
   • Are they full time?
   • How well do they know the area where we want to live?
   • Do they have other resources to assist us through the buying process such as lenders, inspection companies, title companies etc.

Once you have selected a Realtor, you are ready to begin looking for the perfect home.

But wait, how much can you afford to pay or how much will a bank lend you? In today’s active market, you must be prepared to move quickly if you want to secure the home of your dreams. The best way to be prepared is to be pre-approved through a lender. You should start this process before you start looking. If you don’t have a lender preference, your Realtor should be able to refer you to a lender that will meet your needs.

Now, with your list in hand, your Realtor selected and financing secured, you are ready to begin the emotional part of your search. Whether you’re visiting model homes or visiting previously owned homes, there is an emotional reaction to every home you look at from here on out. Trust your instinct. It may be disappointing if you’ve read something that seemingly matches your logical list, but once you visit the home, it just doesn’t feel right. It could be the neighborhood. It might be the style of the home. Or it may be the interior design of the home furnished with someone else’s taste that doesn’t reflect your own. Try and look past some things to see the home for what it truly is. Sound construction? Functional floor plan? Is it architecturally interesting?

If you’re not in love with the home right away, it’s okay to step back for a day or two and then go see it again. However, don’t try to talk yourself into something if it just isn’t sitting well with you. Don’t ignore your instinct or get bullied into buying your home. Share with your Realtor your likes and dislikes about the home. During this emotional stage of the buying process, you may be feeling rushed, trying to meet a time frame or hit the mortgage rates just right. Take time to get all your questions answered and feel that you are making the right choice.

Use emotion, try to relax and imagine your family interacting in the family room while Dad makes his special spaghetti in the kitchen. Picture yourself living with the luxurious master bedroom suite and its huge walk-in closets. How about the large windows with their unobstructed views of the park and green belts? If these positive emotions are coupled with items on your logical list, it’s a good idea to put this home on your short list.

Finally, it’s time for you to sit down with the homes that are on your short list. Evaluate each home as it compares to your logical list, and write down the emotional response you have. With a healthy combination of logic and emotion, you’ll make a wise home-buying decision for you and your family.

Call us to get started!