The 4th of July weekend is almost here. This holiday is often thought of as the official start of summer. But it can also be a great time to go house hunting. In fact, if youโre planning to move out of town, then a long holiday weekend can be a perfect time to plan your trip. Hereโs how to maximize your time so that you can make the most out of your house-hunting weekend.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage
If youโre serious enough about buying a home to schedule a house-hunting trip, then donโt leave home without a mortgage pre-approval letter. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage signals to a seller that youโre serious about your offer. If youโre visiting a competitive market, then you may end up making an offer during your visit. Make sure your offer isnโt ignored because you failed to get pre-approved.
Know what youโre looking for
When you only have a day or two to look at homes, you need to make them count. Sit down and make a list of what youโre looking for in a home. This will include both your needs and your wants. Know whatโs a deal-breaker and what isnโt. This will help you narrow down your choices so that youโre only looking at homes that could be serious contenders.
Create a target list
These days, itโs so easy to browse listings from the comfort of your own home. Before you leave for your trip, make a list of homes that interest you. Communicate this information to your real estate agent so they can make appointments to see them. Talk to your agent about what youโre looking for so they can also schedule appointments for you based on your criteria.
Keep track
As you visit each home, take good notes. Keep a list of what you liked about the home โ and what you didnโt like about it. Take photos and videos of each home so you can review them again later. It can be confusing to see many homes for sale in one day, and taking good notes will help you sort things out later.
Be wise with your time
Even if your trip is short, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore the homes youโre really interested in. If you happen to visit a home that you know right away isnโt for you, donโt feel obligated to spend much time there. Youโre better off heading to the next home that may be a better fit. Itโs also helpful to have a little cushion of time to revisit those homes that are high on your list. And donโt forget to schedule time to check out the neighborhood. You may discover that you love the home but that the neighborhood itself isnโt the best fit.
Work with the right agent
When youโre trying to buy a home from out of town, itโs essential to work with an agent who is an expert in the community youโre moving to. Take time to interview prospective agents to find the one that best suits your needs. They will be an invaluable source of information not only when youโre looking at homes, but also after youโve closed and moved into the neighborhood.
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