Now that you've selected a Realtor, and you've been pre-qualified, it’s time to figure out what you’re looking for in a home.  There are so many decisions to be made.  The best way to figure out what it is that you need in a home is to make two lists.  The NEED List and the WANT list.  Your need list should contain things that you absolutely must have in your home. 

Example:

NEEDS                                                                         WANTS

  • 3 beds/ 2 baths                                              Updated kitchen
  • Finished basement                                        Mature trees in yard                               
  • Lots of closet space                                       Ceramic tile in bathrooms
  • Open floor plan                                               Additional parking
  • Flat back yard                                                 Close to shopping
  • Fenced back yard                                           Front porch

In today’s market there are a number of different purchase options for buyers aside from a traditional sale.  It’s important to consider the benefits of each option.  There are plenty of foreclosures, short sales (pre foreclosure), and other types of lender owned homes on the market.  These are homes that you could get a good deal on.  With a little hard work, they can sometimes be a great way to build equity quickly.   Maybe a fixer upper is not what you have in mind which is fine.  Just know that they are out there.

Written by: Ray Straub, Team Agent, The Mike Parker Team