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Buying in the Wrong Season
Any real estate agent will tell you that making an offer in early spring or summer will result in a higher price for your home, but there are often many more variables to buying in the right season. If you do choose to search and purchase in the winter when most eligible home buyers are snuggled in front of their fireplace, you'll likely have less competition. However, you'll also find fewer homes to choose from due to less inventory in the low season. If you buy in the high season, you'll have many more homes to choose from, but will fight stiff competition as everyone dons their flip flops for whole days of open houses.
Follow these eight steps if your looking to buy your first home.
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Judging a Book by its Cover
Let's face it, some homes show horribly. Some have old carpet, some have peeling paint, and some just downright stink. But just because a house looks bad, doesn't mean that its current condition isn't merely cosmetic damage. While you're checking out a property, make sure to take a peek under carpets to check for original hardwood flooring and other historical details like crown molding. If you're lucky enough to have a friend in construction, have them take a look at the house's foundation to determine if it'll still be standing upright in another 100 years. Determining if a house has good bones will help you look past the cover image on an otherwise dingy dust jacket. Get some remodel inspiration! Check out these 10 tips for a happy kitchen remodel.
Photo: Russ Widstrand
