6 Tips For Your New Home Search

Are you searching for a new home? If so, I have six tips for your new home search! I used these during my home search and they definitely helped me out significantly. Let’s jump right in. Here are the tips that you will want to know before buying a home:

Know Your Price Range

First and foremost, know your price range. If you do not know your price range, then you should not be house hunting and you cannot purchase a home, so it really is just wasting everyone’s time. That’s why before you start house hunting, you absolutely need to get pre-approved so that you can learn your budget and price range. When you decide that it is time to house hunt after becoming pre-approved, let your real estate agent know your price range and make sure to only look at homes under that price range. You definitely do not want to fall in love with something you cannot have! In addition, please make sure that you know what you can truly afford. If you get approved for $550,000, that does not mean that you should buy a home at the top of your budget. Maybe search for homes within the $400-450,000 range instead so that you have enough money for home improvements and fixes as they come up. You definitely do not want to end up becoming “house broke.”

Pay Attention To The Things You Cannot Easily Change

Things such as paint colors, countertop styles, and current decor in the home definitely show off the house in a great or bad way, but try to look past all of it and instead, focus on the things that you cannot easily change such as the layout of the home, or the location. You obviously cannot change where the house is located, so make sure it is convenient to your daily activities. Also, consider the community of the neighborhood that you are looking in. Are you looking for an active community? If so, make sure the neighborhood has it for you because that is something that you cannot change (most likely).

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Consider The Size

When it comes to the size of the home, consider your lifestyle and needs right now, but do not forget to think about your future needs, as well. Are you planning to have children of your own? Are you about to become empty nesters? Is it just you and your dog or cat? All of these things come into play and you want to make sure you are buying a home that will not only suit your needs and wants now, but in the future, as well.

Is It A Good Investment?

One thing that you need to consider is if your home will be a good investment, or not. You need to make sure you are looking for a home that will grow in value over time. Research the history of home values and businesses in the area - are the values rising and increasing? If so, those are great signs! Is your potential new neighborhood up and coming? Is there a college nearby? Was it popular back in the day, but now it is worn? These are all things that you should consider when purchasing a home.

Ask Questions

The time you have viewing a home (and before you close on a home) is the perfect time to ask all of the questions - and yes, I mean all of them. Asking a ton of questions while touring a home is a great way to make sure it really is your ideal home and the best fit for yourself and your family. Questions such as: how old is the roof? When were the appliances last updated? What is included in the sale (appliances, light fixtures, etc.), have there ever been any leaks? What about pest infestations? There are many questions that you can ask - and you should.

Find A Great Agent That Knows The Area

Last but not least, if you are a buyer or a home seller, you need to make sure you find a great agent that knows the area well. He or she will help steer you in the right direction when it comes to buying a home. Erin King Jax Historic Realty is your go-to real estate agent in the Jacksonville, Florida area. He specializes in Jacksonville’s historic neighborhoods and enjoys sharing his deep understanding of buying and selling historic homes with his clients. This Best of Zillow Realtor knows how to accurately price homes (especially in historic districts such as Riverside, Avondale, Ortega, Springfield, Murray Hill and San Marco), pays close attention to detail, and responds quickly to clients. Erin has also put together a support team of contractors and other professionals who help transactions go smoothly.

“Erin, who was featured as a 2017 “Rising Star” by Jacksonville Real Producers Magazine, lives in a 1924 Avondale home that he restored with his partner, David. When he isn’t enjoying recreational sports, Erin can be seen strolling the streets of Avondale with his dog, Saedi, often chatting with past clients and neighbors seeking advice about their historic home renovations.”

When you have a great agent that knows the area, such as Erin E. King with Jax Historic Realty, you are able to take all of their knowledge and use it to your advantage when purchasing a home.