3 Ways to Search for Your First Home Like a Pro

Buying your first home is one of the most significant milestones you will ever experience. Whether you have recently graduated from college, just gotten married, or have been saving for a down payment for more than 20 years, homeownership marks the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Yet, with all of the excitement that comes with buying your first home, it can be overwhelming, especially when you want to make sure you get it right the first time around. So how do you make your first-time home-buying experience a positive one, especially when searching for Lake Country real estate? By doing what real estate professionals do. Here are the three surefire tips for house hunting like a pro.

The first step to any real estate transaction is securing financing. In many cases, this means going through a mortgage lender to get a letter of approval. Once you have secured your letter of approval, you have a set budget for how much you can spend on your new house. Then, the real work begins.

 

Most first-time buyers tend to have many questions throughout the house hunt. What am I looking for in a home? Can I afford a home with all my wish-list items in my ideal neighborhood? What are the things I’m willing to compromise on, and what are my biggest priorities in a new home? These are all critical questions to consider when searching for Lake Country luxury homes. As such, one of the most important things a prospective homebuyer can do is research. Research is a key element to any house hunt; whether it’s researching recent sales, neighborhoods, or nearby amenities, there are so many things to take into consideration before even setting foot into a home for home tours. And with the majority of home searches beginning online, independent research is more easily accessible than ever before. Here are some of the key factors to research when searching for your first home.

For many homebuyers, finding their ideal neighborhood is just as important as finding their dream home, if not more so. For buyers who are considering moving to Lake Country, there are 10 towns and cities within the area, all with individual traits residents love. Whichever neighborhood prospective buyers choose can depend on many different factors, including proximity to the lakes, a short commute to work, easy access to activities, and affordability, among other things. Some ways buyers can research neighborhoods include amenities, noise levels, school districts, and more.

Along the lines of researching different neighborhoods, one of the highest priorities for buyers when it comes to desirable communities is nearby amenities. Many buyers want to know some of the nearby amenities for entertainment and practical reasons. Some of the most important amenities many buyers look for include restaurants, shops, nearby grocery stores, pharmacies, medical facilities, public transportation options (if needed), parks, playgrounds, etc. Amenities can also indicate home values since proximity to desirable amenities increases property values.

Along with neighborhoods and nearby amenities, another important thing prospective homebuyers should research is recent home sales. This is an aspect of the house hunt many buyers ignore, yet it is one of the key traits that will make your home search feel more professional. With so many public records online, it’s much easier to research recent home sales than ever before.

By researching Lake County home sales, you can determine what the market conditions are like in your area, which could give you a competitive advantage when it’s time to place an offer on your dream home. It also lets you know the likelihood of your new home appraising during the appraisal stage of a real estate transaction. Another important factor to research is property taxes, which will give you an idea of just how affordable your home really is.

Now that it’s time to tour homes, that’s where the real fun begins for most buyers. While touring homes can be overwhelming and exciting all at the same time, this is one of the most important times to pay attention to your surroundings. Look beyond the fresh paint, new flooring, and updated kitchens and bathrooms.

 

This is the time to ask questions about the home and to look at different functions of the home, including the furnace and HVAC system. Inquire about the age and condition of the roof, pay attention to the structural integrity of the home, and observe everything. Do all of the light switches and outlets work? What is the condition of the windows? Are there signs of water damage within the home?

 

Feel free to ask your agent as many questions as come to mind, especially while you are touring homes. If your agent doesn’t have the answer, they should be willing to get those answers from the listing agent ASAP. Asking questions and paying attention to your surroundings can mean the difference between having the home of your dreams and purchasing a home with underlying problems you were unprepared for.

While researching and asking questions are paramount to an excellent home-buying experience, one of the most important elements of a top-tier house hunt is working with the right agent. No matter how much experience you have buying real estate, a local expert is one of your greatest assets when you are buying real estate. Not only does your agent answer some of your most important questions, but they will also advocate for you at every stage of the real estate transaction, from start to finish.

By following these three foolproof methods, you, too, will be successful in purchasing your first home. Are you ready to find your dream home in Lake Country? Mike Ledzian is one of the area’s leading realtors, with over 14 years of experience connecting buyers to their dream homes in Waukesha, Brookfield, and the Greater Milwaukee Area. Contact Mike today to get started on your house hunt.