We have all had buyer’s remorse at some point in our lives due to not thinking through the transaction completely, whether it be a pair of shoes that you realize are way over priced and very uncomfortable, a piece of technology that you thought you couldn’t live without, or some other piece of merchandise that your emotions talked you into purchasing. Usually a trip back to the store with a receipt will get you a full refund. What do you do, though, when you buy a home and later realize you made a mistake? Since all home sales are final, there is no going to the seller and getting your money back. The trick is to make sure you have thought very carefully about everything BEFORE you buy a home. Here are some questions to ask yourself to make sure you don’t regret your home purchase…
- In a competitive market, you may get in a bidding war, so ask yourself, “Do I want to own his home, or am I trying to win this home?” Keep in mind the price of the home and don’t let your emotions take you to a price too high for your budget. Set a maximum price that you will not go over, and stick to it. If other buyers are making offers over your limit, it is most likely time to back off and keep house hunting. No house is worth putting your family in a financial strain that will hang over your head day after day.
- “How many times have you seen the house?” With the exception of the few that purchase sight unseen or maybe out of state or international buyers that only have the chance to view a house one time, it is always a good idea to go inside the house more than once. You may find certain aspects of the home that you missed the first time through. Keep your eyes out for anything you may have missed on your first, second or third viewing to make sure nothing catches you by surprise after moving in.
- Once you think you are ready to make an offer, you need to ask yourself, “Have I seen the house from every angle?” Just poking your head in a room isn’t enough when you are shopping for your home. You need to look in, under and behind everything to make sure you have covered every inch of the house. This also means you need to walk the entire lot looking at all sides of the home. You need to go in every closet, get up in the attic, walk around the garage, and leave nothing unseen!
- “Have you seen a floor plan?” Looking at the layout of the home on a piece of paper may help you find things you didn’t see while walking through the home. With a purchase as large as a home, don’t think it’s asking too much to see the floor plans.
- If you are still ready to make an offer, “Did you go back and look at the online pictures?” Now that you have seen the home in person, the online photos may look different to you. Check them out again making sure you haven’t overlooked anything during your visits to the home.
- “Have you seen the home privately?” Don’t make your decision based on a walk through during an open house. You need to go back when it can be just you and your agent so you aren’t rushed. Spend time in each and every room of the home before making the offer.
- “Has anything been disclosed?” Make the time to check out all permits and inspection reports. Don’t rush through these steps if you don’t want to regret the home purchase. You need to know all there is to know about this home. If the seller hasn’t disclosed any info, talk to your real estate agent to see if they have heard anything.
- When you find the home you want to make an offer on, be sure to ask yourself, “Is this the type of home I set out to find?” As you start shopping, you may find that you will pay more for this or that, you like this location better than that one, or that you are open to some renovations if it gets you in the school district you want. Your tastes will change and you will probably compromise on some things. Just be sure that what you have found meets your criteria before making that offer.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the rush of a busy and competitive real estate market. You fear that if you don’t make an offer quickly, you will lose the home. Just remember that rushed decisions sometimes end up being those that we regret the most. Buying a home is such a huge step. You need to make sure you have answered all of these questions and are confident that you have found your next home.
Choosing the right agent to help you find your home is crucial in this process. The first thing your agent should ask you is what you are looking for in a home. Their job is to help you find the right place for you and to keep you on track if you should let your emotions take you down the wrong path. They will also help you to write up a contract with any “contingencies” that you may need to include as a safety net.
All of us on The Selling Rocky Mountain Homes Team pledge to be that agent for you. We will help you by making sure you have asked all of the right questions, been thorough when viewing the home, and that you are prepared to write up an offer when you find the home you like. Give us a call TODAY @ 720-593-2014 so we can sit down with you to see what you are looking for in a home, and then go out and find it with you. We look forward to hearing from you!
Source: zillow.com
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