Local Buying Tips

Buying Tips

Making an offer

Do not be afraid to ask questions. Your real estate agent will be very happy to provide you with as much information as possible. Be aware that this is a financial investment and to be as impassive as possible when viewing homes. Remember, this is potentially the largest purchase you will ever make — ask questions until you are satisfied with the answers.

• Research the surrounding area. Distance to shops, hospitals, schools. Ask about the community and the crime rates in the area.
• Be mindful of the surrounding homes and make note of their condition and if the yards are well kept.
• Don’t commit to the first few homes you see. New listings are added to the market all the time. The more homes you view the more you can learn about the type of home that will fit your needs.

• Take your time and be thorough. Open cabinets, turn on faucets, look in attics. Look for signs of distress or watermarks for signs of any hidden problems.
• Don’t be distracted by the interior staging of the home. Be focused on the structure of the home and its surroundings.
• Stay within your price range. Viewing homes well above your budget may set unrealistic expectations.
• Don’t ever be pushed into making a decision before you are ready.

Don’t ever be pushed into making a decision before you are ready.

Find out the selling prices of similar properties to use as a guideline to set your sales price. These comparable properties should:

• Have sold no more than six months earlier
• Be around the same age and condition
• If you still don't feel comfortable setting a price, consider having a professional appraisal done. Appraisers look at what the home is worth today and how the

• Have close to the same number of bathrooms, bedrooms and square footage
• Be in a similar location and on a similar lot

• Have close to the same number of bathrooms, bedrooms and square footage
• Be in a similar location and on a similar lot

If you still don't feel comfortable setting a price, consider having a professional appraisal done. Appraisers look at what the home is worth today and how the neighborhood may affect future property value. They provide a realistic figure for the true market value of the property