8 Tips for Finding Your New Home

Article From BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com


By: G. M. Filisko


Published: February 10, 2010


A solid game plan can help you narrow your homebuying search to find the best home for you.

House hunting is just like any other shopping expedition. If you identify exactly what you want and do some research, you'll zoom in on the home you want at the best price.

These eight tips will guide you through a smart homebuying process.

1. Know thyself
Understand the type of home that suits your personality. Do you prefer a new or existing home? A ranch or a multistory home? If you're leaning toward a fixer-upper, are you truly handy, or will you need to budget for contractors?

2. Research before you look
List the features you most want in a home and identify which are necessities and which are extras. Identify three to four neighborhoods you'd like to live in based on commute time, schools, recreation, crime, and price. Then hop onto REALTOR.com to get a feel for the homes available in your price range in your favorite neighborhoods. Use the results to prioritize your wants and needs so you can add in and weed out properties from the inventory you'd like to view.

3. Get your finances in order
Generally, lenders say you can afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. Create a budget so you know how much you're comfortable spending each month on housing. Don't wait until you've found a home and made an offer to investigate financing.



Gather your financial records and meet with a lender to get a prequalification letter spelling out how much you're eligible to borrow. The lender won't necessarily consider the extra fees you'll pay when you purchase or your plans to begin a family or purchase a new car, so shop in a price range you're comfortable with. Also, presenting an offer contingent on financing will make your bid less attractive to sellers.

4. Set a moving timeline
Do you have blemishes on your credit that will take time to clear up? If you already own, have you sold your current home? If not, you'll need to factor in the time needed to sell. If you rent, when is your lease up? Do you expect interest rates to jump anytime soon? All these factors will affect your buying, closing, and moving timelines.

5. Think long term
Your future plans may dictate the type of home you'll buy. Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in the home for five to 10 years? With a starter, you may need to adjust your expectations. If you plan to nest, be sure your priority list helps you identify a home you'll still love years from now.

6. Work with a REALTOR®
Ask people you trust for referrals to a real estate professional they trust. Interview agents to determine which have expertise in the neighborhoods and type of homes you're interested in. Because homebuying triggers many emotions, consider whether an agent's style meshes with your personality.



Also ask if the agent specializes in buyer representation. Unlike listing agents, whose first duty is to the seller, buyers' reps work only for you even though they're typically paid by the seller. Finally, check whether agents are REALTORS®, which means they're members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. NAR has been a champion of homeownership rights for more than a century.

7. Be realistic
It's OK to be picky about the home and neighborhood you want, but don't be close-minded, unrealistic, or blinded by minor imperfections. If you insist on living in a cul-de-sac, you may miss out on great homes on streets that are just as quiet and secluded.



On the flip side, don't be so swayed by a "wow" feature that you forget about other issues-like noise levels-that can have a big impact on your quality of life. Use your priority list to evaluate each property, remembering there's no such thing as the perfect home.

8. Limit the opinions you solicit
It's natural to seek reassurance when making a big financial decision. But you know that saying about too many cooks in the kitchen. If you need a second opinion, select one or two people. But remain true to your list of wants and needs so the final decision is based on criteria you've identified as important.

More from HouseLogic

HOAs: What You Need to Know About Rules

A Financial Plan for Your Home

When It Pays to Do It Yourself

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who has found happiness in a brownstone in a historic Chicago neighborhood. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

Reprinted from HouseLogic (houselogic.com) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (R).Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Make Moving Fun for the Entire Family

Provided by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC

Moving to a new home can be a stressful experience for anyone. From the moment the house hunt begins to the day one steps foot into a new abode, relocating can be an intense process – especially when children are involved. More often than not, the home serves as a special source of security and comfort for children, so it’s no wonder why many families have concerns about leaving their familiar surroundings. After all, kids tend to be reluctant to change their clothes let alone their addresses, schools and friends!

Talking to kids before a move can help get them ready both emotionally and physically. Parents who communicate with their children that moving is an exciting adventure rather than something frightening or dreadful are likely to reduce some of the stress and help make moving more enjoyable for everyone. Most children adjust quickly to a move, especially when parents take the time to talk to their kids about the process and plan activities in advance. The most important thing is for parents to have a good attitude. Everything is not expected to be perfect, but if parents stay positive and enthusiastic about moving, the kids will feel better about it too.

Below are six suggestions from the agents of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty for how to make moving fun for the entire family:

1. Explore the neighborhood. Between the time that you close on a new home and the time the moving truck arrives, spend a “family day” touring the new neighborhood. This will take some of the “mystery” out of the move. Pointing out local attractions and introducing children to their new neighbors and school will help get them excited about their new surroundings and reassure them that they will be able to make friends after the move.

If it is not possible to go to your new neighborhood, try to compile as much information about the local community as possible. Online tools such as Coldwell Banker On Location can offer consumers a wealth of information. Also ask your Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty real estate agent for photographs of the new home and local area so that you can share them with your child.

2. Make a family wish list. One of the best ways to acclimate your child to change is to emphasize the positive opportunities they’ll be presented with once the family makes the adjustment. Write a list of all of the things your child wants to do once the family is settled in the new home. By encouraging your child to get involved with extracurricular activities that align with existing interests, you’ll not only keep them busy but help them to feel more at home in their new surroundings. Activities such a as sports, gymnastics, theater and art classes will also be a great way for your kids to make new friends.

3. Pack a treasure box. It’s no secret that children can become very attached to their belongings. That’s why Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty suggests giving your child his / her own packing box to decorate however they would like and to pack up their favorite things. Keep the box close by throughout the move. This way your child can be sure those precious items will not be left behind.

4. Let loose your child’s creativity. Kids will appreciate being involved in decorating their new house – especially when it comes to their own room! Bring home paint swatches so that your child can choose a color for the walls. Then follow up with a special day where he or she can shop for a new comforter, furniture, etc. Being reasonable with his or her selection and allowing your child to be creative will help make the transition smoother - after all, it’s only paint!

5. Help your kids create an address book. Staying in touch with friends has never been easier. Help your child collect phone numbers, mailing and email addresses for everyone they would like to keep in touch with. Then show him / her how easy it is to send an email. People are using the Internet more and more to ‘speak’ with each other anytime and from anywhere with just the click of a button. By showing your child how simple it can be to keep in touch with old friends, they are sure to feel more at ease about the move.

6. Pre-plan a housewarming party with friends from the old neighborhood.Saying goodbye to friends can be difficult for parents and their children. Before the big moving day arrives, plan a gathering at your new home with pals from the old neighborhood. Having a date set in advance will help your child to see that just because the family is leaving behind a particular home, does not mean they are leaving behind friends.

For more information, please visit www.seacoastrealty.com or become a fan of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty on Facebook.

Tips for Making Long Distance Relocation Easier

Moving can be a complicated process, especially when the new home is in a different state or across the country. Buyers must research the town, school systems, job market, and neighborhood all before settling on a new location.

The professionals at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty recommend taking the following steps to ensure that when it comes time to move to a distant location, the process goes as smoothly as possible.

First, Get Organized.
When moving many miles away it makes sense to compile a list of the key information required before deciding where to live. Important questions that will need to be answered include:

• What is the cost of living? How far will the new money go?
  
• What is the price of a similar sized house in the new location?
  
• What is the community like? Crime rates?
  
• How is the school system?
  
• What is the noise factor?
  
• Will this be a good area for my spouse to find work?
  
• What is the public transportation system like?
  
• How long will the commute be?

Due Diligence.
To learn more about the typical lifestyle of the new town, as well as community events and crime rates, get a few back copies of the local newspaper, or log on to the local paper’s Web site. This third party information, together with information from the local Chamber of Commerce, will give a sense of the area.

Use the Internet.
When it comes to selecting the home itself, the Web is an invaluable tool. Web sites such as http://www.coldwellbanker.com/ can provide visitors with an abundance of useful information. Functions like the Coldwell Banker Home Price Comparison Index will calculate approximately how much a house will be worth in the new market, which as a result will provide insight into the cost of living. Visitors also can find a variety of community and neighborhood information including median age and income, percentages of married couples and children, recent home sales, and a listing of elementary and high schools with demographic information on the schools.

Feet on the Street.
Begin to work with a real estate associate early on when visiting the new city. Look to see how much new construction and remodeling work is taking place. This will indicate whether the neighborhood is growing and developing, and whether current residents plan to stay. Also, have the sales associate take you through the neighborhood “after hours” to see what the neighborhood looks like when all have returned from work and school.

Coffee Talk.
If possible, try to have a few conversations with the “locals” near a prospective home. More than anyone, they have their fingers on the pulse of the neighborhood and the community at large.

Work With Your Employer.
If your spouse will be in need of a job, make it clear to your new employer. The company likely will have relationships with relocation experts and executive recruitment firms to help in the spousal job search process.

Simplify the Move.
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty associates can offer assistance with all aspects of the move. They have lots of relocation experience and can recommend service providers and offer advice.

For more information, please visit http://www.seacoastrealty.com/ or find us on Facebook.