Pavel Stepczynski | Real Estate Is My Game

Figuring Out the Benefits
You should buy a home. That’s what you’ve been hearing from friends and family, right? So, by now you have likely already weighed the benefits and decided that home ownership was the best decision for you. That’s a major hurdle now passed. You are focused and certain. Good.

Defining Search Parameters
Almost 80% of all home searches today begin on the Internet. With just a few clicks of the mouse, home buyers can search through hundreds of online listings, view virtual tours, and sort through dozens of photographs and aerial shots of neighborhoods and homes. You’ve probably defined your goals and have a pretty good idea of the type of home and neighborhood you want. By the time you reach your real estate agent’s office, you are halfway to home ownership.

How Long Should It Take to Find What You Want?
It can take anywhere from one day to over a year to find what you want. It all depends on what kind of buyer you are. Are you a motivated buyer, are you a buyer with time on your side, or are you a browser looking for the right deal at the right time?. In a sellers market you need to be on your game because a property could be on the market one day and gone the next. In this case you have to make quick decisions and move fast on any property that works for you. In a buyers market you have lots of time and options and at times you can get more for your money. Find out what market your in and take control of your position.

Good real estate agents will listen to your wants and needs and arrange to show only those homes that fit your particular parameters, therefore saving you time. Your agent should preview homes before showing them to you as well.

How Many Homes Will You See?
Studies show that the your memory dramatically improves after consumption of carbs and slows upon consuming sugar. So, layoff the soft drinks and have a hearty meal of carbs before venturing out to tour homes. The average number of homes that a buyer should see in one day is seven. Any more than that, and the brain is on overload. A great trick remember as much as you can is to take a digital camera with you. Start each property by taking a picture of the house number/street to keep track of what property your viewing.

The “Red Shoes” Experience
Women will relate to this. Say, you need a new pair of red shoes. You go to the mall. At the first shoe store, you find a fabulous pair of red shoes. You try them on. They fit perfectly. They are glamorous. Priced right, too. Do you buy them? Of course not! You go to every other store in the mall trying on red shoes until you are ready to drop from exhaustion. Then you return to the first store and buy those red shoes. Do not shop for a home this way. When you find the perfect home, buy it.

How to Rate Inventory
• Bring a digital camera and begin each series of photos with a close-up of the house number to identify where each group of home photos start and end.
• Take copious notes of unusual features, colors and design elements.
• Pay attention to the home’s surroundings. What is next door? Do 2-story homes tower over your single story?
• Do you like the location? Is it near a park or a power plant?
• Immediately after leaving, rate each home on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.

View Top Choices a Second Time
After touring homes for a few days, you will probably instinctively know which one or two homes you would like to buy. Ask to see them again. You will see them with different eyes and notice elements that were overlooked the first go-around. In possible try and see the property during the day and during the evening. At this point your agent should find out about any other offers/pending offers on the table so that you know where you stand.

Making the Selection
When making your decision you should be confident and happy with the property you have chosen. At this point you should discuss with your Realtor on putting forth an offer. Depending on the market conditions this offer could be your only chance at securing your new property, so make sure you discuss an appropriate strategy.