Streamline The Home Search Process

Dear Tara,
After a lot of consideration, I am finally ready to move to a new home. Since I have lived in my current home for several years, I am a bit anxious about starting my search. After all, I haven't looked for a house - or even thought about it - in quite a while. Plus, when I purchased my home, I was a first-time buyer, and sometimes I felt a little overwhelmed and frustrated by the process. I am very excited about finding a new home that meets all of my criteria and expectations, and I know that my dream home is waiting for me. But I want to make sure that the process is a little less stressful this time. What advice can you offer to make my home search go more smoothly?
- Kate

Dear Kate,

Buying a home is a major investment, so it's only natural to feel nervous when beginning your search - no matter how long it's been since you last purchased a house. According to a report compiled by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) entitled "2018 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers," buyers view a median of 10 homes before making a purchase. However, it's important to stress that this number varies greatly for each buyer. Some buyers find a home after looking at only one, while other may tour dozens. So, keep in mind that there is no magic number. If you start to feel frustrated, remind yourself that the home search process is different for everyone, and remember to stay positive. It may take a while, but when you find your new home, you will know that it's absolutely perfect for you.

The following advice will help make the search for your new home less overwhelming.

Make a detailed list. Most likely, you already know what type of home you want and what features are important to you. So make a list to help you focus on homes that meet your criteria. This list will also give you a sense of control during your search.

Research homes for sale online before scheduling tours. Without a doubt, the digital age has greatly enhanced the home search process, and Realtor.com (which owns most Multiple Listing Services) is utterly amazing. You'll find all the basics plus many extras like listings that feature video tours. There are plenty of other search sites, too, such as Zillow and Trulia that can be helpful for seeing comparative prices in neighborhoods, but a word of caution is critical: cyber tools can never take the place of a veteran real estate agent. Even the major sites are well-known, for information that is often inaccurate or obsolete such as incorrect number of bedrooms, baths, lot size, and very often price. These sites are search engines that rely on the tax records and algorithms that necessarily change over time. They often just can't keep up. Only those of us who are full-timers "on the ground" really know the housing inventory, the quality and proximity of schools, shopping, entertainment, the job market, recreation, and a host of current activities that have bearing on your decision. I urge you to enjoy the experience of breezing through lots of properties on your computer or laptop, and to get a feel for comparison elements such as square footage, the number of bedrooms and baths, amenities, lot size and much more. These helpers can narrow your search by finding homes that match the features on your list from my step one. Online research can also save you a lot of time because you can eliminate houses that aren't a good fit, so you won't be touring homes that you'd never buy.

Narrow down your search. Choose a particular community that really appeals to you and focus on viewing homes in that area. This will give you some direction and limit the scope of your search, which will help facilitate the process.

Seek the expertise of a real estate agent. I have in-depth up-to-date knowledge of the local market, so I'm more than happy to work with you to offer advice and guidance during your search. And since I also have access to the MLS, I may even know the inside scoop about homes before they are listed for sale.

Have fun. Searching for a new home is an exciting experience. So make sure that you don't stress too much over the process. You're preparing to embark on a new chapter in your life, so enjoy yourself.

Trust your instincts. When you find the perfect home, make an offer. Don't wait. If you truly love the home, you definitely don't want to risk losing it to another buyer.
When you're ready to begin searching for your new home, feel free to call me at 904.501.9037. I would be happy to answer any questions or schedule a time to meet to discuss your particular needs.

Tara Belanger is a licensed real estate agent with Re/Max Unlimited and a Nocatee Certified Agent. Tara is a top rated agent and a leading expert on local market trends. She publishes her work across multiple newsletters and publications in Ponte Vedra, Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach. A portion of every closing by Tara Belanger benefits the Kids In Need Foundation. Visit www.TaraSupportsKINF.com for information on KINF.

Tara Belanger, REALTOR®
Re/Max Unlimited
904.501.9037
Tara@NortheastFLLiving.com
www.NortheastFLLiving.com
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