Buyer’s Guide
Investing in a home is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. So much more than a roof over your head, your home is where life unfolds and memories are made, while building a financial foundation for your future. Your needs drive how and when we find your next home. From this day forward, everything we do will be motivated by your goals and how you imagine your life in a new environment. Once we get a thorough understanding of where you see yourself, finding your dream home will move faster and with minimal interruption to your daily life. And, it all starts here on our website.
How do I start my search?
With layers of options our website allows you to search by neighborhood and school district, revealing the details that matter most to you. Your neighborhood is an extension of your home. Neighbors, surroundings, and access to everyday things can and should factor into your home-buying decision. Our website provides background on neighborhoods you won’t find anywhere else – including lifestyle trends, walkability ratings, local restaurants, and more.
Once you have identified the neighborhoods that you are most interested in, favorite the homes in those neighborhoods that best meet your needs. When you tap the ‘save to favorites’ for a home that catches your eye, it’ll be saved to your collection. From there, we’ll see the homes you like and help you coordinate the best time for you to see them.
Another helpful tool you may want to consider is to create a saved search. This is a preset filtered search that updates automatically with any new homes for sale. Simply fill out your desired search criteria (zip code/city, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.) and tap the ‘save’ icon. You can then choose to be alerted by email whenever a new home meets your criteria.
Touring Homes
When we’re ready to start looking at homes in person, it’s best to start with a consultation with a lender. We are happy to recommend a trusted professional who can talk to you about your financing options.
How can I make the most of my time when touring homes?
We’ll work together to get an accurate idea of your price range, an estimate of your monthly payments, and a pre-approval letter, so we can move quickly if need be. Refining your “wants” and “needs” list will help us identify what’s most important to you, including both the location and the house itself. Preview and save your favorites through our website. Once we narrow your list, we’ll plan an itinerary together.
What should I expect when touring homes?
We will typically tour homes together alongside any co-buyers, friends, or family you’d like to join. Homeowners usually aren’t home, so you’re free to spend as little or as much time as you want. You may have a gut reaction when visiting a home. First impressions count, but we’ll advise you on home values and help evaluate priorities in the context of what’s available in your price range.
How many homes should I visit?
Sometimes buyers find their future home the first time out, and others look at several before they see one that checks all their boxes. It’s a good idea to see at least a few alternatives so you have some points of comparison, but sometimes you just know a place is where you want to live.
What should I look for when visiting homes?
Look beyond the staging and decorative items to see the features and fixtures that convey with the house.
- Check the condition of the home
- Keep track with photos and notes
- Consider possible home improvements you might want to make so you can research costs later
- Don’t forget to check out the outside of the property and the neighborhood
- We have access to relevant neighborhood insights and data to help inform your decision
- Locate your commuter route, schools, shops, restaurants, parks, and other amenities
- If the property is a condo or located in a homeowners association, we’ll assess the fees and rules to see if you can live with them
As your trusted partner for your home search, feel free to reach out at any time should you have any questions about any of the homes we tour.