{"id":11904,"date":"2019-08-27T13:00:57","date_gmt":"2019-08-27T20:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=11904"},"modified":"2024-05-28T22:53:46","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T05:53:46","slug":"what-to-do-when-you-find-dream-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/what-to-do-when-you-find-dream-home\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do When You Find Your Dream Home? 4 Things to Do Right Away"},"content":{"rendered":"

So, you\u2019ve found a home you love. It checks off your \u201cmust-have\u201d criteria, and promises lots of the extras on your wishlist. It boasts your favorite style of architecture, is in a neighborhood you love, and has the kitchen you\u2019ve been dreaming about.<\/p>\n

Now it\u2019s time to strategize to make sure your dream home becomes your next abode. Here are four things to do when you find a home you love:<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Source: (wavebreakmedia\/ Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Request a showing<\/h2>\n

We live in a digital world and are accustomed to shopping on the internet. So it\u2019s no surprise that almost half of home buyers start their home search online, according to a report<\/a> from the National Association of Realtors.<\/p>\n

Still, 88% of buyers work with a real estate agent<\/a>. If you\u2019re browsing online and spot a home for sale that you fall in love with, it\u2019s a good idea to reach out to the real estate agent <\/a>you want to work with, and request a showing of the home ASAP.<\/p>\n

While online listings have come a long way with high-quality photography and even video tours, actually stepping into the home is the best way to confirm it\u2019s the right fit for you and your family.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll get a better sense of things like the home\u2019s layout, what the neighborhood is like, how much natural light flows in and how much room you\u2019ll have to move around the kitchen.<\/p>\n

2. Learn what you can about the home<\/h2>\n

Buying a home can certainly be an emotional process. Not only will it be one of the biggest purchases you\u2019ll make, it\u2019s also where you\u2019ll be starting the next chapter of your life.<\/p>\n

If you find a home you love, be sure to step back and ask some practical questions. For example: is the home priced fairly or are there clever staging tricks<\/a> driving up the list price?<\/p>\n

Ask what\u2019s included in HOA dues. This will give you a sense of what kind of amenities and services come with the home. And knowing the last time appliances or roofing were replaced will inform you as to whether you\u2019ll need to budget for any replacements in the near future.<\/p>\n

(For a handy list of must-ask home tour questions, check out our recent blog post<\/a>!)<\/p>\n

3. Position yourself as a strong and serious buyer<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s no sugar-coating it. In competitive markets, homes get snapped up quickly and you\u2019ll likely be competing with cash buyers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Your best strategy is to position yourself as a strong buyer who\u2019s serious about getting to the closing table. Start preparing for a competitive market before you even begin your home search. That way, when you find a home you love, you\u2019ll be ready and able to make a confident offer.<\/p>\n

Consider an upfront underwrite<\/h3>\n

So how do you increase your buying power? One way is to go beyond the typical pre-approval process and get fully underwritten upfront<\/a>.<\/p>\n

By getting the underwriting out of the way, you\u2019ll know exactly how much home you can afford<\/a>. Plus, the seller will be more confident that you\u2019ll close since your financials have already been vetted. This gives you a huge leg up over most lenders\u2019 pre-approvals, which are based on incomplete financial information.<\/p>\n

Getting underwritten upfront removes a lot of uncertainty, and helps even the playing field, allowing you to compete with cash buyers.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Source: (Alejandro Escamilla\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Make a strong offer<\/h2>\n

Your real estate agent will have access to data to help you strengthen your offer. They can help you understand how much similar homes are selling for, and help you to craft your bid accordingly.<\/p>\n

If you love the home, it\u2019s best to take your real estate agent\u2019s advice rather than coming in low on your bid.<\/p>\n

Another way you can strengthen your offer is by writing a buyer\u2019s letter, explaining what you love about the property. The personal touch might help you stand out among other buyers with similar financials.<\/p>\n

Some other strategies that might win over the seller? Meet or exceed the seller\u2019s earnest money requirement. Or agree to be flexible with the seller\u2019s timeline for getting to the closing table, even if that means removing some contingencies.<\/p>\n

Header Image Source: (Sven Brandsma\/ Unsplash)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A few pretty photos, and you\u2019ve already fallen hopelessly in love. Learn 4 things to do right away to avoid heartbreak and win that dream home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":126,"featured_media":11905,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[192,643,638],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-for-buyers","category-home-tour","category-house-hunting"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat to Do When You Find Your Dream Home?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A few pretty photos, and you\u2019ve already fallen hopelessly in love. 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