5 ways to turn your dream home into a real home
Whether it’s your first, last, or something in between, buying or selling a home is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Not only is it a significant investment, but it’s also a commitment you’ll live with for years to come.
Before you start seriously house-shopping, think about what you want and need to live happy. A short commute? A swimming pool? A private backyard with room for a garden?
Here are a few tips to easily find your perfect home, or to sell in preparation for a dream relocation.
1. Know what you can afford If you haven’t been pre-approved for a mortgage, do this first. It shows sellers you’re serious about home buying and it also establishes your price range. This will help keep you from going overboard. You don’t want to deplete your savings to put together a down payment, and you don’t want a mortgage payment that’s so high you have to start living on bread and water.
2. What’s your type? Do you have your heart set on new construction in a gated community? Do you want an older fixer-upper? Or would you rather have a “lock-and-leave” condominium in an active adult community? The needs of a newly married couple with a baby on the way differ from a single adult and from recent retirees that want a winter getaway.
3. Location, location, location Consider whether your “dream” location is close to work, schools, and shopping. Also give yourself some flexibility. Some people choose a longer commute for a larger home, but that may add too much stress to your daily life. You may find a lakefront retreat out of your price range; a short drive from the lake may take you to your perfect home.
When selling your home, be sure to market your home’s location. Younger buyers tend to prefer short commutes and walkability. Snowbirds may want a golf course nearby. Retiring baby boomers may prefer close access to shopping and medical facilities.
4. Live your perfect lifestyle Do you want an open floor plan for entertaining? Or a place where someone else mows the yard and repairs the roof? Determine what you “must have,” would “like to have,” and what’s optional. Understanding your priorities will help you zero in on your ideal home’s features.
5. Find your dream agent Before you start house-hunting or prepping your home to sell, seek the advice of an experienced real estate agent. Your agent should be a local expert who can help you find homes that meet your financial, location, and lifestyle criteria. An agent can also help homeowners on the move determine what modifications will give their home the most “curb appeal.”
WEICHERT, REALTORS – Hallmark Properties agents know their neighborhoods as well as their business. They also have the power of WEICHERT, REALTORS behind them. When you work with a WEICHERT, REALTORS – Hallmark Properties agent, you get the full service. If you see your dream home on a mobile app on Sunday afternoon, its call center is there to help.
Whether you’re buying or selling, an agent affiliated with an established brokerage can walk you through each step, from open houses to closing. WEICHERT, REALTORS – Hallmark Properties provides mortgage and title services, to make financing easy; property management, for your rental properties; and relocation services, to help you with your real estate needs throughout Florida and around the world.
Working with a “one-stop-shop” such as WEICHERT, REALTORS – Hallmark Properties saves you time and money. They provide everything you need to realize your dream—whether it’s a five-bedroom stunner with a swimming pool, or an urban community where you can walk to everything.
Buying or selling a home in central Florida? Check out the latest listings from WEICHERT, REALTORS – Hallmark Properties.