Follow these simple steps and you could be sitting in your new dream home before you know it!
First, work with a real estate agent that you trust. You need to have faith in their abilities and experience. If you are constantly seconding guessing their advice, this will only add to your stress, not reduce it. You want to work with an agent that answers your phone calls, texts and emails, and stays in touch with you every step of the way.
Home buying is about decisions. There are large ones, like which area of town you want to live in, which home plan is right for you, what your budget is, who to use as a lender, etc. And there are small ones, such as whom to complete the termite inspection. The way to keep stress low is to make informed decisions and then let it go. Don't beat yourself up over what could have been or what you should have done. Hindsight is always 20/20.
Along those same lines, remember the phrase, 'Too many cooks in the kitchen spoils the broth.' Yes, there are family members and friends who have great advice to share. However, asking too many people for their opinions can distract your mind from your own wishes and wants. Be careful to keep the advise in moderation. This is your decision after all!
Avoid 'cocktail talk' too. It seems invariably that there are always those that say they got a better deal than you did, a lower interest rate, more concessions, blah, blah, blah. Often times, you may be getting part of the story or they don't truly understand the process. Don't allow braggarts and fibbers to make you second guess your decisions. More often than not, they are just trying to make themselves feel important and you feel less important. Steer clear of such toxic talk.
There is no 'perfect' house or deal. There will be things that don't go as planned. Now is the time to focus on the good things about the move and the deal. Don't get bogged down in the little things. Buy a house that you love and that makes good financial sense.
And finally, plan ahead. It is tempting to channel Scarlett O'Hara and worry about things tomorrow, but time is of the essence when you're buying. Deals can move quickly and between hiring inspectors, getting appriasals, going on showings and hiring movers you don't want to be weighted down with everything all at once. Make lists and timelines to keep you on track!
The bottom line is this…buying a home is a big responsibility. It takes time and it takes money. But the end result, owning a home that is a good fit for you, is always worth it. So take a deep breath, plan ahead, make those lists and don't be too hard on yourself. Enjoy the process and enjoy your new home.
The folks here at Julie Pogue Properties area always ready, willing and able to help you achieve your home buying goals and keep your stress level as low as possible. We do this every single day and can help you through the entire process. Give us a call when you're ready to start.
Hope you all have a terrific week!
