As we all know, a home purchase for most people is the single largest financial
investment of their lives. As the price of homes continues to edge upward,
buying a home takes on
even greater significance.
One of the dilemmas facing a prospective buyer involves the number of homes that should be
seen before making a final buying decision. Some people are not content until they have
seen every home on the market in their price range.
How do you know when you have seen enough homes in order to make an offer on a certain
home with the confidence that it is the right one for you? Basically, you want to
accomplish two things:
Have you seen enough homes to have a good grasp of values?
It is difficult to make an informed buying decision until you have had the opportunity to
view various homes and compare their prices. Home showings also help educate you as to the
buying power you
possess for the area you want. It is sometimes sobering to learn that you cannot buy as
much home as you originally thought. After seeing a number of homes, it is not unusual for
buyers to adjust
their expectations of the home size and features they can afford. You may have to settle
for a lesser home than you thought in order to get the location that is most desirable to
you.
Have you found
the home that "feels right?"
You will know when you have found the home that is right for you. This
often happens when you drive up in front of the house or when you are
just inside the front door. The right
home not only has most of the features you want but it also appeals to
you emotionally. No one else can tell you that a certain home is right
for you. You usually have to sense it
for yourself.
Advice:
If you have a good grasp of local home values and have found a
home that feels like the right home for you, don't look further.
You really
don't need to see every home on the market. As a matter of fact, too
many home showings could even confuse you. It is also not unusual to
find the right home after only
two or three showings. There is no magic formula. Every buyer and each
situation is different. Just rely on your own common sense.
By Thomas Ervin
Thomas Ervin is a nationally syndicated real estate columnist.
(Reprinted with permission from Author)
|
