I am very pleased to announce that Petra Norris, a local Lakeland, Florida Realtor with CDV TransAtlantic, Inc., has graciously agreed to guest blog on The Florida Mortgage Blogger blog! Petra has served the Lakeland area for the past 15 years, and provides the professionalism and attention that today’s homebuyers and sellers need and deserve.
If you have needs pertaining to the Lakeland real estate market, Petra is always available with advice and information to help you achieve the best possible sale or purchase of your home. Contact her at 863-619-6918 with all of your questions.
A Crucial Home Buying Tip: Setting Your Homebuying Priorities
Now that you’ve done your homework and have been pre-approved for a mortgage loan… it’s time to have some fun finding a Lakeland, Florida home! Let’s talk briefly about a few things you’ll need to keep in mind as you look around!
Do you have your priorities set to buy a home?
The home buying experience can be very emotional, especially if you are a first time home buyer. The highs and lows of buying a home can really take a toll, and you’ll probably fall in love with several homes during your search. One thing to keep in mind: Don’t let emotions cloud your judgment.
The home you are considering may have a gorgeous bathroom, but don’t overlook the fact that the living room is too small for the size of your family.
Also, never judge a house by how the current home owner has it decorated, since the decoration will most likely vanish when the seller leaves. You would want to make a list of your wants and needs. Remember, needs are those things that you can’t live without and should be very basic. Wants are the things you would like to have but can do without.
Reflect on the basics:
Number and size of the rooms – Is your family growing, will your furniture fit in the bedrooms?
Garage size – Consider how many cars you own, and he fact that storage may really play a factor. Remember that here in Florida, we’re very close to sea level, which means few homes here have basements! Is the garage large enough for your additional storage needs?
One-story or two-story layout – What’s your preference here? Do you prefer the bedrooms to be located all on the same floor? Would you rather have the Master suite or perhaps a laundry room on the first floor or second floor? Maybe you’re interested in a split-level floor plan where the Master Bedroom is located on the opposite end of the other bedrooms?
What about the yard? Is the yard large enough for your children or pets to play? Does privacy play an important role in choosing your home? Do you have the time or the inclination to maintain a lawn and flower beds?
Location, Location, Location! Be sure to check out the neighborhood on all sides of the property and take time to get a feel for the traffic volume, noise, and its danger potential to children. Drive by the home in the morning, afternoon, and evening to get a true feel for what things will be like. This simple checkup is crucial to your home purchase!
It is so important to determine what you like and dislike about your current living condition. Knowing what you are not looking for is as important as knowing what you want in a property. Remember, while it is important to consider the aesthetics of a property, consider that much of what you see in and around your the homes you view can be changed.
Reality check for first-time home buyers
Real estate agents have a reason for the term “starter home.†First-time home buyers rarely have the funds to get everything they want in their first home. You want to make sure that your basic needs are covered and understand that you can add the wants later when the funds are available.
With home prices dropping like a ball off the table and so many foreclosures and pre-foreclosures here in the Lakeland, Florida area, it really is a buyer’s market. However, seek out the help of a highly qualified Lakeland, Florida Realtor, and above all esle… please be cautious about when deciding whether to take on a home that requires more than a few upfront repairs. Ask yourself: Can I handle this, or am I taking on more work than I bargained for?
A Crucial Home Buying Tip: Setting Your Homebuying Priorities
Copyright © 2008 http://www.petranorris.com| All Rights Reserved |
A Crucial Home Buying Tip – Setting Priorities to Buy a Home
You can find other great articles by Petra Norris here!
Petra Norris – CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. – Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker – P.O. Box 92050 – Lakeland, FL 33804-2050 – Telephone (863) 619-6918
I hope you found this post useful! As always, if you or anyone you know is in need of a local Florida mortgage broker, I’m your guy. Call me at 863-604-3019 or apply online for your Florida mortgage. We’ll keep you posted and let you know when it’s time to pull the trigger!
No related posts.
Thank you for sharing very important and useful tips before buying a house. You should look at your budget and income so as to know if you can afford. Affordability depends on the income, credit rating, current monthly expenses, interest rates as well as the down payment.
Size and space of specific areas of the house definitely matter. Some buyers do not consider the number of garage spaces, or whether their furniture will fit in the tiny living room. When I get a new client, I will ask them how many people will be living in the house, including children, so I can narrow down their search to the homes that are most likely to suit their needs the best. Of course I always mention what changes I will make to the criteria and to be sure they are happy with it.