Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, shopping for a new home can feel daunting. In fact, 56% of buyers said that “finding the right property” was the most difficult step in the home buying process.1

 

Buying a home is a significant commitment of both time and money. And a home purchase has the power to improve both your current quality of life and your future financial security, so the stakes are high.

 

Follow these five steps—and complete the corresponding worksheet offered below—to assess your priorities, streamline your search, and choose your next home with confidence.

 

STEP 1: Set Your Goals and Priorities

This seems obvious, but in my experience I've found this step is often overlooked.  Many people jump in with a very loose list of what they want, figuring the right house will appear and all answers will immediately become clear.  Take a minute (or a few) and consider WHY you want to move. Do you need more space? Access to better schools? Less maintenance? Or are you tired of throwing money away on rent when you could be building equity? Pinpointing the reasons why you want to move can help you assess your priorities for your home search.  Your agent can then translate that information and integrate it into the process so it's more efficient.

Don’t forget to think about how your circumstances might change over the next few years. Do you expect to switch jobs? Have more children? Get a pet? A good rule of thumb is to choose a house that will meet your needs for at least the next five to seven years.2  

 

STEP 2: Determine Your Budget

 

Many financial professionals recommend following the “28/36 Rule” to determine how much you can afford to spend on a home. It sounds complicated, but it's actually quite simple.  The rule states that you should spend no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing expenses (e.g., mortgage, taxes, insurance) and a maximum of 36% of your gross monthly income on your total debt obligations (i.e., housing expenses PLUS any other debt obligations, like car loans, student loans, credit card debt, etc.).3

 

Of course, the 28/36 rule only provides a rough guideline. It varies depending on projected income and where you live.  Getting pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage BEFORE you begin shopping for homes is a non-negotiable for getting a true and accurate idea of how much you can borrow. Add your pre-approved mortgage amount to your downpayment to find out your maximum purchasing potential.

 

 

STEP 3: Choose a Location

 

When it comes to real estate, WHERE you choose to buy is just as important as WHAT you choose to buy.  Do you prefer a rural, urban, or suburban setting? How long of a commute are you willing to make? Which neighborhoods feed into your favorite schools? These decisions will impact your day-to-day life while you live in the home.  Drive through these neighborhoods, or better yet bike or walk them at different times of day to get a feel for noise levels and traffic.

Another important factor to consider is how the area is likely to appreciate over time. Choosing the right neighborhood can raise the profit potential of your home when it comes time to sell. 4

 

STEP 4: Decide Which Features You Need (and Want) in a Home

Start with the basics, like your ideal number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage. Do you prefer a one-story or two-story layout? Do you want a big yard, or is a smaller outdoor space OK for now in exchange for a better location.

Keep in mind, you may not find a home with all of your “wants,” or even all of your “needs” … at least not at a price you can afford. The reality is, most of us have to make a few compromises when it comes to buying a home.  It's important to acknowledge that the price is NOT a feature.  For example, you can't say I want to be close to coffee shops and shopping, have a garage and large yard, four bedrooms and stay in X price range.  The other items are features and factors, not the price, since it becomes impossible to obtain unless you prioritize your list.

Some buyers will opt for a longer commute to get a larger, newer home with the big yard. Others will sacrifice hardwood floors or an updated kitchen so that their kids can attend their desired school and they can be near amenities. 

 

If you’re faced with a tough choice about how or what to compromise in your home search, return to STEP 1. What were your original goals and motivations for moving? Reminding yourself of your true priorities can often provide the clarity that you need.

 

STEP 5: Meet with a Real Estate Agent (insert friendly MT Good Life face here 😊)

A good real estate agent can remove much of the stress and uncertainty from the home search process. From setting goals to finding the right lender fit to selecting the best neighborhood to meet your needs, we will be there to assist you every step of the way.  Having an honest devil's advocate on your side will help protect you through the process.

After meeting, we can set up a customized search that alerts you as soon as a new listing you might like goes live. Better yet, we get notified about many of the hottest homes even BEFORE they hit the market.  Zillow can't do that, and neither can that part-time agent that sells a house or two on the side after hours. Our current market has shifted dramatically in terms of what agents are doing to manage their listings as well as getting offers accepted.

Is your agent using last year's tactics?  They aren't working right now :(

 

Although we’ve listed it here as STEP 5, the reality is, it’s never too early (or too late) to contact an agent about buying a home. Whether you plan to buy today, next month, or next year, there are steps you can (and should) be taking to prepare for your purchase.  We just closed with a client we've been working with for two years.  We' re not going anywhere, so let's talk now so you can plan for later, whenever that is for you!

Call us today to schedule a free consultation!

 

 

 

The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only.  It is not intended to be financial advice. Consult a financial professional for advice regarding your individual needs.

 

 

 

Sources:

 

NAR 2019 Home Buyers & Sellers Generational Trends Report – https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2019-home-buyers-and-sellers-generational-trends-report-08-16-2019.pdf

Architectural Digest – https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/this-is-how-long-you-should-live-in-your-house-before-selling-it

Investopedia – https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/twenty-eight-thirty-six-rule.asp

Money Talks News – https://www.moneytalksnews.com/20-clues-youre-buying-home-the-right-neighborhood/