Six Things to Know When House Hunting

Know Your Budget

When looking for a home the first step is to consider what you are able to afford. Create a budget and partner with the right mortgage broker. Be assertive when considering what you can afford. How much you are making, how much you have saved, and the loan (if needed) you can be approved for are all things that a knowledgable City of Westlake realtor can help advise you with. 

Think of the Future 

Even though it’s important to stay in the moment, it never hurts to think of what your future needs might be. Will your family be growing? Are you planning to stay single? If you want kids it might be a good idea to live near the local schools. Is this a home you would want to retire in? Before heading out to open houses, write down your wants and needs. After looking at the houses look over your needs/wants list and for each house and create a pros and cons list to really understand what you want for the future. Meet the neighbors;  will these be people be people you would be comfortable living around in the foreseeable future? Is your realtor making you feel the most comfortable possible by giving you complete knowledge of the City you are planning on moving to? Having a knowledgeable realtor that really knows the City is key when it comes to finding your dream home. 

Inspect Inspect Inspect the Property

When looking at houses it’s a good idea to check for water damage, mold, cracks, and any other issue that could happen to a home (before the actual, required inspection). Look inside the closets, look inside cabinets and every nook and cranny. You never know what you might find and you can never be too thorough when checking for any damage. A knowledgeable realtor will know right away if there are any foreseeable issues. 

Consider Maintenance Costs and Unexpected Expenses

This goes back to thinking of the future. Will you be able to afford the monthly expenses, even through a hardship? Is there an HOA that you would need to pay? What are the utilities bills every month? Would the water bill be separate? These are good questions to ask when looking for a home, and a knowledgable realtor can help guide you through answering all of them. 

Dress Comfortably and Bring Snacks (because everyone love snacks)

When house hunting wear comfortable shoes because there will be a lot of walking (and possibly stairs) if you are trying to knock it all out relatively quickly. It’s easy to get tired when looking for a new home and it can be quite overwhelming, even with the best realtor or realty team. Nobody likes to be hangry, especially when you’re walking and talking a lot. Bring water and portable snacks to help you keep going during the hunt!

Partner With a Reliable, Detail Oriented Agent Who is Experienced in Your Market

Thats where the experts at Santana Real Estate come in. We are a knowledgable, trustworthy team that will help you make this incredibly important decision seamless, and fun. We are also residents of the City of Westlake and are passionate about our City, and can’t wait to help you find your dream home in this beautiful City.