Q: I’m excited! I’m starting to look at prospective properties this week. What should I be looking out for?
A: Congratulations on starting your new journey! BEFORE you even start up your bike/car to head out to view any properties, there are some things you should consider first:-
- Make a list of your top 10 requirements for the new house you buy. If it’s 3 bedrooms, single storey, pool, new, fixer-upper, garage – put it on your list.
- Take this same list and choose your top 3 must-haves. You will find during your home search that not all of the properties you view will have every single request on your list.
- Keep an open-mind. The property you find may have just your top 3 priorities BUT have future development/potential for the other desires on your list.
Once you’ve equipped yourself with your list and your desire, then
- Contact your real estate agent to conduct a detailed search based on your financial requirements and personal preferences.
- Contact your loan officer, if you require financing, for a copy of your pre-approval letter. Having your financing in place beforehand will help much should you decide to place an offer to purchase the property you desire
Once you arrive at the property,
- Take note of what you see and compare it to your list of requirements/expectations
- Keep an open-mind. Look beyond overgrown hedges, ugly wall colour, bad taste décor. These are minor matters when looking at the structure of the property and how it best suits your needs.
- Take notes so you may compare it with other potential properties that interest you when you sit with your real estate agent later on.
- Schedule a 2nd viewing so you may look at the property in more detail after your initial “I’ve got to have this house” excitement as subsided slightly.
Click on the ‘Buying Real Estate’ button on our website – www.platinumrealty.bm – for more information on steps to buying a piece of the rock!