How do I find houses for sale near me?
How do I find houses for sale near me? That is a question active buyers often ask themselves when searching for a home. If you are an active buyer about to start looking to buy; chances are you’re already renting in your desired area and it’s just a matter of searching for the right home to fit your needs. Persnickety buyers will usually have mapped out specific locations and areas they want to purchase a home in and most times it’s a neighborhood they’re familiar with or desire. These buyers are well researched and adamant they stay in the preferred radius they’ve chosen. Other times you have buyers who are relocating or upgrading to a specific area that they want or that’s convenient for them.
If you’re in the market for a home you need to create a simple checklist to help you navigate the housing market with ease. A checklist is not a wishlist and this is hard for buyers who want their home to have everything. If you don’t have a budget to accommodate all your wishlist, then you need to create a checklist with items that fit your needs; important things like size, price, yard and condition. A wishlist will have things you want but may not need like: stainless steel appliances, extra storage and over sized garage. Sure, your home will have some of your important wishlist items but don’t pass up a great home for not having everything, compromises in real estate are common.
This checklist will keep you from wasting time and help you narrow your search to a home that accommodates your needs.
CHECKLIST
- Location – Real estate is always about location, location, location and that is usually something buyers won’t compromise on. You need to know where you want to live and also have a few backup options for locations you’re open to. Many times buyers will find their perfect home in an area that was not their first choice. Location needs to be one of the main things on your checklist, along with backup areas for your consideration.
- Budget – If you’re paying cash know your budget the price range of homes you can look at. If you need to get a loan be sure to get pre-qualified, shop around and look for the best loan that meets your needs. Obtain a pre-qualifying letter to present with your offers and formulate a purchase budget based on your loan qualifications. Stick to your budget, you can look at homes slightly above your budget if you think the price is negotiable.
- Deadline – Know your time frame and how soon you need to move. The buying process does not happen overnight (especially for loans) and you need to give yourself enough time to shop without pressure from missing your deadline.
- Deal breakers – Write a list of items that are absolute deal breakers for you or your family and don’t waste time on homes that have them.
- Realtor – Determine what realtor you want to work with but keep yourself open from exclusivity in case you find a FSBO home. A realtor can charge you if you find something and they don’t get a commission, read your representation agreement.
After your checklist you need to develop an action plan and put it into motion. This will help you get the ball rolling and help you with the question “how do I find houses for sale near me?”
ACTION PLAN
- Scout locations – Drive around areas you like and see if you can find any homes that may be listed FSBO or off market. Sometimes sellers will place a for sale sign to see if they get offers prior to listing it on the market. This will also help you find nearby areas that may be potential neighborhoods for searching.
- Put the word out – many times eager buyers will post “wanted” or “looking for” ads on Craigslist or chat rooms letting people know they are in the market for a home in a specific area. You can also take to social media and spread the word that way. Friends or family may know a neighbor about to list and then you’ll have the inside track by communicating your desired area.
- Check websites – Check all the sites offered to you, including the local paper, FSBO sites and the local MLS listing sites. Scour the web looking for homes to view that meet your criteria.
- Check taxes and misc information – You need to make sure you can afford the taxes of a home you purchase, as well as if there are any additional fees like HOA dues or a MUD. These extras can hurt an already tight budget.
- Inspect – Always inspect a home you are making an offer on or have placed a contract on. Inspections are very important and shouldn’t be skipped.
Forming a checklist and implementing an action plan will make the home buying process run smoother and be a more enjoyable experience for you.