Setting Your Priorities
Almost every home purchase involves some degree of compromise, which is why it is important to prioritize your wants and needs before you begin your search. There are many variables to consider, including your lifestyle, budget, and future plans.
Though you may fall in love with a home’s living area, backyard, or roof deck, you also need to take into account what the community can offer you and your family. Your agent will help target the best community for your needs and wants, while ensuring you’re paying the appropriate price for a listing.
Establishing Your Expectations
Location
Location matters. Each individual neighborhood offers its own unique flavor and sense of community. Consider the factors that are important to you. Look at the available school systems, your work commute, childcare services, shopping and attractions, etc.
Size and Type
Each listing your agent shows you will have its own unique shape, size, and style, so it’s important to consider what space you need now and what you may need down the road.
A great diversity of housing exists:
Condition
It’s vital to discover which homes for sale are in prime condition and which will require some investment to repair and/or update.
Problems to look for include:
Foundation: Cracks, water, mold, and pests are red flags and should be further evaluated by an expert.
Power and Heat: Faulty switches, antiquated wiring and plumbing, insufficient insulation, poorly performing air and heating systems, and window leaks are telltale signs a residence could be in need of costly repairs or updates.
Exterior: Siding, roofing, gutters, retaining walls, etc. should be thoroughly inspected, as well as driveways, pools, sheds, and other outdoor areas.
Odors: Your sense of smell doesn’t lie. If you smell something odd or foul, check it out. Sewer and septic failures, mold growth, or gas leaks could be the culprits.
Features and Amenities
Garage parking, quartz countertops, an open floor plan, yard size, and convenience to city or outdoor attractions - are the kinds of details that will drive the decision to purchase one home versus another. In creating this list, some things to consider are resale value, your daily routine, and the cost of making changes or additions down the road.
Price
Narrow down your search by price point first so you only view homes for sale you can actually afford.
Real Estate Partners Chattanooga agents have tools available to help you narrow your initial search by affordability.
View Listings
Using the guidelines you set forth, your agent will present you with available listings. You, too, can contact your agent about a listing you see online or see on a drive. In addition to price and property attributes, pay close attention to data like property taxes, market time, and monthly assessments, when applicable.
Open Houses
Remember, if you are attending Open Houses without your agent, be sure to mention that you are being represented by a Real Estate Partners Chattanooga agent. This will save you from being inundated with calls from other agents fishing for new clients. Ask your agent to supply you with some of his or her business cards to make the Open House sign-in process even easier.
Compare Properties
Discuss each home you see with your agent and provide candid feedback. Your expectations and the marketplace will begin to converge and your agent will be able to adjust certain parameters such as location and features in order to present you with alternatives. When you find a home and are ready to make an offer, your agent will perform a Comparative Market Analysis or CMA. This report compares the subject property with other properties that are currently listed and recently sold to help you formulate your offer.