Build a Plan of Action And Get Ready

Buying a home will probably rank as one of the biggest personal investments one can make. Being organized and in control will contribute significantly to getting the best home deal possible with the least amount of stress. It’s important to anticipate the steps required to successfully achieve your housing goal and to build a plan of action that gets you there.

Before you can build a plan of action, take the time to lay the groundwork for your decision-making process.

First, ask yourself how much you can afford to pay for a home. If you’re not sure on the price range, find a lender and get pre-approved. Pre-approval will let you know how much you can afford, allowing you to look for homes in your price range. Getting pre-approved also helps you to alleviate some of the anxieties that come with home buying. You know exactly what you qualify for and at what rate, you know how large your monthly mortgage payments will be, and you know how much you will have for a down payment. Once you are pre-approved, you avoid the frustration of finding homes that you think are perfect, but are not in your price range.

Second, ask yourself where you want to live and what the best location for you and/or your family is. Things to consider:

  • convenience for all family members
  • proximity to work, school
  • crime rate of neighborhood
  • local transportation
  • types of homes in neighborhood, for example condos, town homes, co-ops, newly constructed homes etc.

Big Picture
Don’t buy a home just because everybody’s doing it (they’re not) or because your Uncle Bob told you that it’s stupid to “throw money away” on rent (he’s wrong).

Don’t buy a home because it’s a buyer’s market or just because mortgage rates are low. Buy a home because you want to be a homeowner. Buy a home because you’re settling down and need a place for live for at least five years. And only buy a home if you’re financially ready.

Avoid agents who try to sell you a home! As an agent, my job is NOT to sell you a home. It is not my job to steer you toward a home just because I like it. I have found that a home will general sell itself. Once we have seen a list of homes, my job as the agent is to simply present the facts about each home. Point out the various pro’s and con’s, and provide any advice and opinions that might help in the decision process. My philosophy is to go into the search with the end in mind. The decisions you make now will affect you when you sell that home later…value and/or resale ability.

Do NOT try to fit a square peg into a round hole. If you are having doubts about a home, it’s usually best to just walk away…don’t try to make it work. You could end up regretting the decision to buy that home. I’ve always advised my clients to be patient. Although, I’ve been able to help people find the right home in one day. There have also been times it took several months. The right one will come along.

Above all, have fun! Yes, it can be stressful. A good real estate agent will help manage the process. They will guide you through it and provide you with expectations so that you will not be blindsided. When done right, the home search and ownership experience is truly wonderful. Enjoy!

Dan Johnson

Platinum Realty - Overland Park


Office:
9393 W 110th Street, Suite 170, Overland Park, KS, 66210
www.MoveWithPlatinum.com
(888) 220-0988
Agent:
dan@danjohnsonrealty.com
(469) 237-9304
(469) 237-9304

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