Shopping For A Home

Shopping For A Home

Purchasing a home is one of the most important decisions you will make in your entire life. That’s why it may be in your best interest to choose an experienced real estate agent to assist you in your search. Using a real estate agent can help make shopping for your new home fun and efficient. Your real estate agent is there to assist you with your home search as well as making the experience easy and hassle free.

Your real estate agent can assist you in assessing your needs to help you find homes that best meet your preferences as well as identify opportunities to negotiate for a better price, and or credits to help pay for costs. Depending on the type of home you would like to purchase, your real estate agent will show you homes based on your needs, life stage, desired features, and how many improvements you are willing to make prior to moving in. I have complied a list of some common types of homes to choose from for you to check out!

Single Family Home

Single family homes come in many exterior styles, and sit on their own lot of land. Some may have a back yard that is ideal for children to play in, however, you are responsible for more maintenance than with other property types.

Multi-Family (2-4 Units)

Just like single family homes, a multi-family comes in many exterior styles, and will sit on its own lot of land. This type of home can generate income for you by renting some of the units out. However, being a landlord isn’t for everyone.

Condominium (Condo)

Condos are attached homes in a building similar to apartments, and belong to an association that maintains the exterior of the property. This is beneficial for people wanting convenience, however the association charges mandatory monthly association dues for covering the work.

Townhouse

Townhomes are similar to condos in that they are attached to one another. They differ because townhomes may have lower association dues than condos for the exterior maintenance, and have a closer resemblance to single family homes.

Handyman Special

Some homes need updating or repairs, which is reflected in the seller’s lower asking price. Homebuyers may take this opportunity to get a great deal, and add some personal touches. The downside is buying a home with unseen problems that can be a financial drain.

New Construction

New construction is for those wishing to design their home from the bottom up – flooring, cabinets, fixtures, kitchen, bathroom, and much more. You will really be able to get your dream home, but expect to pay more for new construction.

Once you find the home you like, you can work with your real estate agent to make an offer based on what is right for you. They can help you find out what makes sense for the current demand in the real estate market, the condition of the home, recent sales of comparable homes in the area, and any other factor your real estate agent deems appropriate.