Buying A Charlotte Home: Do You Know What You Want?

There are home buyers out looking for houses today. Maybe not at the pace we would like to see them at; however they are out there. They are searching hard for that perfect home. But the question I ask every home buyer when they first begin the process is "Do you know what you want in your home?'

Especially with first time home buyers who have never owned a home before this is a critical question. What one person may want or like the other person may not want or like in a home. It is one thing when you are renting a home or an apartment. You realize this is a short term and is a stepping stone to lead you to greater things (home ownership). But do you really know what you want in a home?

A lot of people will say they want X amount of bedrooms and bathrooms and a nice yard and good size home. Okay that is a great starting point. Let's dig a little deeper into your wants and needs. In the Charlotte area that can be in the thousands of homes. If they say they want to be in certain areas or close to certain places that can narrow the list down to the hundreds of houses....

i beleive start with a wish list of features you want in a house. Get as spcific as you can and start your search there. if you do not like anything in that criteria broaden it little by little until you find the right house.

A list of questions I give home buyers together are:
1. How many bedrooms are you looking for in the house?
2. How many bathrooms are you looking for? All full baths?
3. What style home are you looking for? Ranch? 2 story? split level?
4. Any specific area you are looking to live in?
5. Any neighborhood amenities you want?
6. Do You have an idea of size of home you want?
7. Are you looking for a large, small, average size yard?
8. Do you want it fenced in?
9. Do you want privacy with trees/bushes?
10. Do you want any bedrooms on the main level?
11.Do you prefer hardwood floors/carpet?
12.Do you want something updated? or would you prefer to save money and update yourself?
13.Do you want a large kitchen?
14.Do you want an open floor plan?
15.Do you desire a fireplace?
16. Do you want soemthing that needs some cosmetic work?
17. What is your monthly budget? (notice i do not ask price range)
18. Have you talked to a mortgage broker?

This gives me a good starting point and usually leads to some insight and interesting conversations that they might not have thought about. From that list of homes we then go look at a minimum of three homes...That way they now can put their mental vison to a home and decide if it is really what they want.....

These simple steps can help you take out the frustration and anxiety that comes with looking at homes today. With so many choices out there a lot of home buyers I talked to said they did not know where to start and felt frustrated by the process...Answering these questions and getting a Realtor to listen are the first steps to an enjoyable home search process.

Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com