House Hunting Tips That Will Get You Your Dream Home

May 3, 2021 / Posted in Finding a Home
Steven Rogers

Apart from sharing Captain America's name, our freelance writer Steven is also a big fan of moving, history, and geography.

There are many things that affect buying a home, from looking for a suitable place to determining your budget. So it is essential to have a house hunting tips checklist that will guide you through the whole process, which is not at all easy. We don’t want to scare you, but you should enter this adventure prepared.

A real estate model with keys
Buying homes isn't an easy task, and it requires some preparation

No matter if it’s your first time to move or you’ve become a pro in the relocation process – if you decide to buy your own place, you should know some tips before starting the hunting operation. According to the latest research, the 2020 housing market has grown quickly and continues to thrive in 2021. This means only one thing – a lot of opportunities, but that makes the whole process even more challenging due to the higher demand. Have our house hunting guide near and avoid common mistakes when looking for a new residence.

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What Should I Look For When House Hunting?

You need to consider some things when searching for a place to buy, no matter if you have been thinking about your ideal home for months or you are just getting started. If you want a place with a large yard with a spacious living room and bathroom, do not forget that you will use other rooms, so you need to make sure that they are functional.

Explore the neighborhood and see if you’re comfortable with your neighbors being too close to you, for example. Or, if you’re moving alone, are there only married couples around, or are there any bars or restaurants near. These are just some of the things you should have in mind. Here are the other things you need to check:

  • Home’s front and back – How your new pace looks like should play a big role in your search. Pick the one that will suit your lifestyle. Is it the simple one, a brick home, or something more modern? It’s up to you.
  • The number of rooms – It is significant to know how many rooms the place has and what you will use them for. If you are moving your office, count one extra room for a working desk and other equipment.
  • Storage and garage – If you’re planning to relocate your motorcycle, then you’ll need space, especially if you pack your garage as well. If you can’t move everything right away, you might consider getting storage services from your chosen long-distance moving company.
  • Windows and lighting – Someone prefers natural light, and those who don’t mind the artificial one are probably already thinking about removing a chandelier when moving out from an old apartment.
A big property with a yard
Make sure you check every corner of homes you visit

Create House Hunt Checklist

You’re maybe wondering why you should have a checklist for something as important as finding a place to buy. It’s simple – people tend to forget. Whenever you’re getting organized for a move or any other thing requiring completion of many tasks, a list is mandatory. It will keep you on track and updated with everything you’ve done already and all that yet needs to be done. This situation is no different. Take a paper and a pen and write down everything you have to do in this challenging process.

Explore if There’s a Garden, Kitchen, and Everything You Need in Your Residence

It doesn’t matter if you’re relocating to a big city from a smaller one or plan to move to the suburbs, you should check each room and see if there’s a garden, if you wish one. Every weird smell, hole in the wall, or noise that comes out of the home you’re looking to buy is a red flag. This might be too much for the buyers that are new in this process but trust us. You have to ask about everything you want to know, and there are no dumb questions. It’s better to have everything defined and understood in advance than to be sorry when you already closed the deal.

A property with a big yard
Don't hesitate to ask the owner of the place everything you want to know

Planning Your Budget is One of the Best House Hunting Tips

No matter the reasons for the relocation, figuring out your budget might be the reason why moving is so stressful. It’s like that because your savings don’t always match your wishes, so saving money in advance could help you reduce the stress during the relocation. However, once you decide the best time to move, you should start planning your budget for the big purchase.

Still, you have to count on some extra factors that could affect your budget. For example, hiring moving services and the eventual need for professional packing as well as auto transport can make a dent in your financial plan. But it is all well worth the expenses.

Consider Pre-Approved Mortgage Options

This might be the best solution for you if you’re planning on relocating on a budget. Getting a pre-approved mortgage will create a clear picture of the expenses you’ll have to cover when buying real estate. There are some things you’ll have to prepare when applying for pre-mortgage options. A lender can offer you a pre-approval mortgage, but you’ll first have to fill out the application and prepare your Social Security Number. Also, incomes, debts, and credit score are things you should pay attention to when applying for a pre-approval mortgage.

A man with a laptop and smartphone
You should have a clear picture of the costs

Find the Perfect Location and Neighborhood

When relocating from an apartment to a house, there are some things you should pay attention to. For example, if you prefer family-friendly mountain towns, you should consider some true natural treasures. On the other hand, if you’re wondering what to look for when house hunting if you’re moving with pets, parks and greenery are the things you must include in your checklist. In other words, create a list of all the things you want from your new place, and if you’re moving in with your significant other, sit together and write down what you both want to have.

A street with brick buildings
When choosing homes, it is very important to check the location and neighborhood

Ask Help From Real Estate Agent If You Don’t Know How to House Hunt

If you realize you can’t do it on your own because it is not just the search, start looking for a reliable agent to guide you through the whole process. Trying to save on moving costs is one thing and perfectly understandable, but you shouldn’t apply the same logic when it comes to finding a trustworthy realtor. It is not easy, either, having a large market for that kind of business. So you can ask your friends and family for a recommendation. With years of experience, the real estate agent can find the environment you already have in mind for your perfect living, and he’ll present you with every offer he thinks is suitable for you.

How to Find a Reliable Agent

When you seek a real estate agent that can assist with your hunt, the best thing is to request more than one reference from different agencies. That way, you’ll be sure you’re in good hands, and you’ll know every offer that your agent evaluates. If you don’t have any recommendations, check the website Naeba.

A realtor in front of a city
Having help from real estate agents means you'll be informed of every offer on the market that is suitable for you

How Long Should House Hunting Take?

This is the most common question when buyers are in search of the perfect property. Finding just the right property when buyers have more than one offer might take a bit longer, especially if it’s the first time you’re buying something as significant as real estate. The stage of searching, on average, takes three to six weeks. If you already have in mind every little detail you wish to have in your future place, from every room to the backyard, then it shouldn’t take too much time. However, you should be prepared to spend a few hours searching after you come from work.

Search Your Dream Home Online

We all know how stressful the relocation is by itself. But add the real estate buying to the mix, and the whole process will get even more complicated. Luckily, you’re not helpless in front of it. For example, a good way to reduce stress is to start surfing the web and checking up the market. Write down everything you find interesting and make a list of properties you wish to see. That way, you won’t lose time on seeing something you don’t want. Here’s a video if you don’t know where to begin.

How Do You Survive House Hunting?

If you haven’t found the right one after weeks of looking at different homes, you might be thinking of giving up. It is extremely stressful, but know that it’s something you can’t affect so much. Try to remain positive and be patient. If there are more things you like than dislike in your future property, look for its potential. You could do the makeover, and it will truly become your dream place.

Hire Trustworthy Long Distance Moving Company When Moving to Your Perfect Place

A useful tip for cross-country moving stress-free is to hire professional long-distance movers. This means you won’t have to worry about packing books or even kitchen items. However, there are some questions to ask cross-country movers, especially if you’re in a last-minute move. For example, what not to pack. Don’t forget they can also help you with the most commonly forgotten things to pack, so you could be concentrated on your future property.

A professional mover with boxes
Professional movers could make this whole adventure much easier

Avoid Mistakes With Our Tips for House Hunting

Buying homes is a big deal, and how should you act when viewing a house is something you should think about. It could be helpful when it comes to avoiding mistakes in this operation. We often say something that could be misunderstood, So, here are some recommendations what you should and shouldn’t do to make this journey go swift:

  • Figure out your finances,
  • Inspect every little corner,
  • Don’t look desperate,
  • Sleep on a decision.
A man in the chair thinking
There is no need to rush in your decision. Let the impressions subside, and then decide if the place has everything you wanted

When You Figured Out How to Pool Everything Up – Enjoy!

When you find your dream place and a moving and auto transport company with all the long-distance moving services is booked, the only thing left is to think about how to meet new neighbors and enjoy the property you’ve been dreaming about for so long. This journey could be time-consuming, but it will be a breeze with the right advice and guide.

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