CHOOSE THE NEIGHBORHOOD
After arranging financing, the infamous "location" issue is the next thing a buyer should consider as the home buying process is begun. The fact that a home is a "good buy" or is "so beautiful" can never cure the ills of being in an undesirable area. Most buyers should consider neighborhood factors like schools, distance from work, distance to shopping or hospitals, general appearance and relative affordability before running out to start "looking inside" various homes for sale. The worst thing a buyer can do is "Fall in Love" with a home in an unsuitable or unaffordable area
Be Realistic About Needs and Wants
There is no reason that a home search should take more than a week in a normal market. But, everyone has heard about someone who looked at over 500 homes during the course of 18 months utilizing the services of 5 Realtors before finally finding that "just right" home. This only happens when the buyer has not come to terms with what they really need, want and can afford to buy.
Everyone needs and wants enough bedrooms and bathrooms to serve their family adequately. Everyone needs and wants a nice kitchen, comfortable living area, and sufficient storage. Everyone would like the home to be in relatively good condition. But, the buyer who just can't live without the three car garage, the brand new A/C & heating system, and the special oversized game room is usually in for great disappointment.
Make the Right Offer
Once the Buyer's Agent is hired, loan is approved, neighborhood is determined and the home is selected an offer has to be made. It needs to be the right offer. To be successful the buyer should listen closely to the advice of the Buyer's Agent.
A rule of thumb is that a too low first offer usually results in the buyer either losing the home or ultimately paying more than he should for the home. Why? Among other factors, a low ball offer puts the seller on the defensive and contaminates the environment needed to result in a Win-Win negotiation. An offer that is too high can also send the wrong signal to the seller, especially when the home was just recently put on the market. A too high offer may not only cost the buyer money but could cause the seller to be less agreeable with other terms and conditions.
Be Pro-Active
This may seem to be a given to most people but it is truly amazing how many home buyers think that all they have to do is sign the contract and everything else will magically occur without their participation. The fact is that there are many details that only the buyer can resolve to assure a timely, trouble free purchase and closing. The Buyer's Agent will counsel and assist throughout the process but the buyer will have the best overall result by being fully aware of all aspects of the process and asking as many questions as possible along the way
contact BILL SHACKLETON @ 905-728-1600
Re/max Spirit Inc.,
wshack@sympatico.ca
