The Road Map To Your Home

 Narrowing The Search

“If you don’t know where you are going…you’ll probably end up somewhere else.” Taken from a book title, this quote conveys a very simple message: To achieve an objective, create a plan!

If you are buying a home soon, you will need to know “where you are going”. For a most enjoyable home-buying experience, first build a road map to your new home, a list of priorities that will lead you to your objective-a new home!

The first priority is time frame.

Write down the date by which you would like to move in to your new home:___________

Keep in mind that it may take 30-90 days to locate the right home, secure financing and complete the home-buying process.

The next priority is to develop a detailed description of the home you hope to find. A Home Search Criteria Worksheet will help you distinguish between “Needs To Have” features and “Want To Have” features. Be specific.  Include architectural style, number of bedrooms, and baths, location, lot size and other special requirements.  Number your preferences in order of greatest importance to you.

This form, along with the information you share during your initial consultation, will enable your Realtor® to narrow your home search. He or she will take information and enter your requirements into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system and then use personal market knowledge to come up with a list of homes that best meet your needs and wants.

During the home search, your Realtor® will:

• Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each home in relation to your specific needs.
• Keep you informed on a regular basis.
• Check the MLS database and talk with other brokers regularly for new listings.
• Prepare a list of all homes that best meet your needs and wants.
• Keep you up to date on changing financial conditions that may affect the housing market.
• Be available to answer your questions or offer assistance regarding your home purchase.
• Discuss market trends and values relative to properties that interest you.