The Home Search
Educating yourself on your local market and working with a knowledgeable Realtor like myself can help you narrow your priorities and make an informed decision about which home to choose. I will set you up on an internet “portal” called OneHome, which is linked directly to the MLS fitting the criteria of homes you are looking for. Then as we narrow down the search, we go see those homes!
- Assess your wants & needs:
- There are three criteria every buyer uses to find their home: location, price and style/condition. These criteria, along with your “needs and wants,” will determine the properties we search for and the homes we initially view.
- Shop for a Home:
- The process of viewing homes provides you with information in order to make the best decision possible.
- Helping you find a home is a process of elimination; not a process of selection.
- Viewing homes you don’t like is not a waste of time; it helps build a frame of reference to help you find what you do like.
- Your Realtor will email you properties that meet your criteria, help you select homes to see, and will add expert opinion of the home.
- Decide on the home you want to make an offer on
Start Your Home Search
New vs. Resale Home
- New Home or condominium allows you to pick your floor plan and your finishes.
- New home or new condominium have warranties.
- VA Condominium Act requires the Developers to provide a 2-year warranty on the structure of the building.
- You can do a walkthrough and create a “Punch List”.
- New homes tend to be a bit more expensive than re-sales.
- For new homes, you can save on the inspection costs.
- For new homes, the price is usually fixed– you can negotiate the price on resales.
- For Resale or used Homes, we recommend that you purchase a Home Warranty.
House vs. Townhome or Condominium?
- House: You own the house, the land and are responsible for everything
- Townhome or Condominium: You own the inside. The outside of the building, the land, and the amenities are owned in common. You pay a monthly fee for the maintenance of the common areas. (Not included in mortgage payment)
- Factors to consider:
- Cost for upkeep
- Ability or willingness to do exterior maintenance
- Do I want or need a yard? Do I want to maintain it?
- Amount of living space needed
- Amenities, pool, fitness center etc.?
- Parking?
Homeowners Association Documents
- Docs, Association documents, Public Offering Statement (POS), or Condo Docs are the rules and regulations for neighborhoods of single family homes or condominiums.
- Documents specify what you can and can’t do e.g., fence requirements, pet restrictions, rental restrictions.
- The Docs also contain the association budgets.
- Seller must deliver a current copy of the Docs to the Purchaser.
- Purchaser has 3 days (re-sales) or 10 days (new homes) to review docs and rescind the contract. Rescission must be in writing.
- Read the documents and ask your realtor if you have questions.