How to Find Your Dream Home
Embarking on the quest to find your dream home is more than getting a roof over your head; it’s a journey to discover a space that resonates with your aspirations and lifestyle. Here’s a brief guide to help you navigate this exciting adventure.
7 Steps to Finding Your Dream Home
The home buying process is a big deal. It’s important to not go through this alone. With the help of a seasoned real estate agent and lender, you can obtain the best home for your needs and budget. Here’s how.
1. Decide what you want in your new home.
Start by envisioning your ideal home. Consider your preferences, must-haves, and deal-breakers. What are the number of bedrooms you want? Do you want one floor living or multiple stories?
Whether it’s a serene suburban retreat, a townhouse without a lot of yard upkeep, or a charming new construction home, defining your dream home sets the stage for a focused search. In this initial stage, looking at listings on sites like realtor.com and Zillow can give you a basic idea of what you may want.
For instance, if you want a move-in ready home that doesn’t need any renovations, then a new construction home can be up your alley. Or, if you want an affordable fixer-upper, looking for homes in established, older neighborhoods can give you the type of home you seek.
2. Find out how much you can spend.
It’s important to temper your dream through the lens of a budget. Knowing your financial limits allows you to explore options within your means, preventing disappointment while making sure you can afford the mortgage payments. The easiest way to do this is to contact your bank and ask for a mortgage pre-qualification letter. Your bank will then evaluate your finances and give you a “top dollar” that you can borrow.
When you have an estimated amount, you can bring this letter to your real estate agent. Knowing how much you can afford gives them a clear direction on how to help you find a home. As you narrow your home search, it will also be important to factor in not just the purchase price, but also current mortgage rates, potential maintenance costs, HOA fees, and property taxes.
- Note: A prequalification letter is not to be confused with a mortgage pre-approval letter, which happens later when you get more serious about buying a home.
3. Hire a real estate agent.
Getting the expertise of a real estate professional is crucial to navigate the real estate market successfully. A seasoned agent or real estate broker can guide you through the complex process, providing insights into market trends, property values, and negotiating strategies regarding home prices and seller concessions.
Their knowledge is vital if you want to turn your dream-home vision into a reality. In fact, a real estate agent’s expertise can save you hundreds to even thousands of dollars off your dream house. If you make an offer on a home, they can negotiate price reductions and repair credits if negative aspects are revealed on the home inspection.
As experts in estimating home values, they can also determine whether a home is listed in the correct price range or if it’s possible to make a more advantageous sale price offer for you from the get-go.
4. Check out different neighborhoods & open houses.
Now this is when you get to have some fun! Your dream home is out there, and it’s up to you to find out what housing market or area suits you the best.
For instance, you don’t just want to shop for the home itself. Its value also includes its immediate surroundings and neighborhood as a whole. After all, a picture-perfect home can be next to a busy road that has a lot of traffic noise. Context is key to finding the ideal home in a local market.
Research different areas regarding their amenities, school districts, safety ratings, and community vibes. Visit potential neighborhoods to get a feel for the local atmosphere, helping you narrow down the perfect location.
Also, you can immerse yourself in the local real estate scene by attending open houses. This hands-on experience not only provides a tangible feel for different properties, but also connects future homeowners with the feel and quality of different homes.
Model homes for new construction are also excellent places to help you get a feel for how many square feet you actually need and what materials belong in your dream home.
5. Prioritize your wants V.S. needs.
While compromise is nearly inevitable, you can still prioritize your wish list to get the most of what you want in your new house. Identify non-negotiables like “I must have a home office” and be flexible on aspects that can be adjusted. This approach allows you to make informed decisions and stay true to your vision without feeling overwhelmed.
6. Trust your instincts.
Once you’ve found a home that aligns with your vision, trust your gut. That “feeling” of being at home can be a powerful indicator that you’ve found the place where your dreams can truly unfold. Sometimes this feeling won’t make sense, but you will just “feel” it when you are at the showing. Other factors like affordability or the overall location can be major players in your ultimate decision.
7. Be patient! This is a big decision.
Finding the home of your dreams is a process that may take time, and that’s okay! Be patient and stay open-minded as you explore various options. This is an important, life-changing decision that can alter the trajectory of your life. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, this can especially be a ground-shaking decision.
Rest easy though, with the guidance of your real estate agent and solid financial advice, you can make the best choice for you. And sometimes, the perfect home reveals itself when you least expect it.
How to Find Your Dream Home
In the end, the journey to find your dream home is as personal as the home itself. Enjoy the process, stay open to possibilities, and savor the anticipation of turning your dream-home vision into a tangible reality. If you want to find a dream new construction home, we’re experts. Contact us at Marketplace Homes to find a wonderful, beautiful new home that doesn’t need any renovations! We’ll be glad to help you decide if you should buy a house now and much more!
Alicia Persson is a Content Strategist SEO writer at Marketplace Homes, utilizing previous years of experience on real estate teams that specialized in investments and property management. Before she joined Marketplace Homes, she was also a freelance writer for 7 years, leading to a specialization in real estate and home living content for boutique digital marketing agencies. During her writing years, she learned the basics of SEO and gained experience writing for many different clients, making her versatile at creating diverse content.
She is a proud University of Virginia master’s graduate and enjoyed her undergraduate years at the University of Mary Washington. When Alicia is not writing, she plays keytar and sings in a local 90’s rock cover band, or she spends time with her amazing family.