Andretta Pierce South Suburbs Real Estate

Buying a home and being a first time buyer should be fun, not stressful. Let's look at ways to make it peaceful.

• Find a good real estate agent you can relate to: check out how they communicate with you, make it a personality fit. Emotions run high when buying, a good Realtor will keep your emotions in check.
• Don't let all the news overwhelm you into feeling pressured into buying.  A lot of first time home buyers worry about interest rates, don't try to second guess them, they change daily. Stay focused on the things that are most important to you.
• When you walk into a home...you will know it is the one you want, you should choose it because you love it, then think about value or appreciation. In today's market most home values have no where to go but up! Focus on the home being safe and comfortable.
• Prioritize, make a list and stick to it. Remember no homes is going to be perfect, accept the imperfections, especially if they can be fixed. Sometimes one room may be perfect but the other is not. Again focus on the major things and let little things go!
• Know your surroundings, don't forget you are not only buying a home, buy you are also buying a whole neighborhood.
  
• Budget the maintenance costs of buying a home, even if it is new.  Don't forget if you are buying that large home, you will also have largeutilities to go with it. Research the cost. Also don't forget that a home does not take care of itself, it will need taken care of.  Budget repair costs into your yearly costs...don't wait until you are ready to sell to do repairs or updates. Enjoy the repairs and updates while you are in your home and you will berewarded with appreciation.
• Don't listen to all the "outside experts" especially family, they can confuse and frustrate you.  Too much input can make it hard to make a decision. Focus on the people who will be living in the home.
• Don't try to be a hard negotiator.....this can kill the joy of buying. While negotiating is important, remember it is "give and take"....too much taking can kill the deal.
• Buyer Remorse is inevitable...but it too shall pass. It is a big financial commitment...but it yields big benefits. Don't loose sight of what made you purchase in the first place and why you chose the home you love.
• Plan ahead...get that mortgage approval first and remove any contingencies that can kill a deal with sellers.