Finding your dream home

Starts with you. That’s a statement that you will have to remember throughout your search for your dream home. The reason is because throughout your journey of finding your dream home, you will find yourself being derailed one time too many. Everyone will want to give you advice on where is the best location, who’s the better realtor, who is better contractor, etc. so, remember, it’s YOUR dream home. When in doubt, refer to yourself. Better yet, browse through magazines and newspapers and cut out pictures of homes that you like, areas that you fancy and paste it into a special ‘My dream home project’ book. This way, you can’t go wrong.

The first thing to do is to determine the area where you want to get a house in. Your dream home should not be too far away from your work place, schools, family members, etc…unless you want it to be, of course. Get a real estate agent to help you buy the house off the original owner. Some websites actually allow you to key in an area code and they will give you a whole list of houses on sale in that area. If your dream house is listed, you’re in luck. They will assign a realtor to work with you on buying your dream home.

The next step towards buying your dream home is, of course, financing. If you have the cash, you can buy your dream home instantly. Nobody rejects cash! Well, unless the original owner wishes to keep the home because of sentimental reasons. If you’re like the rest of us, you may not have enough money to buy your dream home in cash. So, start researching on an affordable and most viable home loan.

The process between signing the agreement to getting the loan to having the keys to your dream home is a long way. This is a good time for you to find a contractor to design and construct your dream home for you. The best way to find a suitable contractor to design your dream home is to ask around – there’s nothing quite like referrals. Referrals mean they are satisfied with the services that have been provided by the contractor.

Designing and constructing your dream home is both a painful and pleasurable experience! I mean, you’re literally designing a home that you hope to live in for a couple of years, maybe even for a lifetime! It’s exciting as you watch every single inch of the house transform from an empty hollow shell into the home of your dreams! The artistic input from the designer, your own personal preferences all combine together – and viola! You have a dream home to live in.

This is also the time to discuss the inside of your home – would you like it to be cozy or clean and organized? Is there any particular style preference you think you should tell your designer/contractor? Your dream home should be consistent in all areas of the home – but they can have different characteristics. For example, exotic Asian look for the bedroom, French home look in the kitchen and the fun, jovial and cheery look for the kids’ bedrooms.

The most important thing to consider is the comfort level and practicality of your dream home.

Choosing Your Housing Agent

With so many realtors competing for your business, how do you know which one to choose? Here are a few things to consider when choosing a realtor.

The most important decision you will make in the sale of your home is the Realtor you choose.

Some points to consider:

Find someone you feel comfortable with. If you don’t feel you can ask questions or go to your Realtor, you have the wrong Realtor.

Your Realtor should show you research to back up any recommendations. This includes information about recent sales, current listings and recent expired listings in your neighborhood.

Choose a local Realtor. He or she will know your area better than an outsider, will be seen as a source for people looking to relocate in your neighborhood, and will get better co-operation from other agents. It is likely that any amount you might save by having a friend or relative from outside the area serve as your Realtor, will be lost in their lack of knowledge about the very specific local market. Ask for references from the Realtor. He or she should be willing to give you names of previous clients.

Ask your friends and acquaintances for recommendations, but make your final choice based on your needs.

Ask the Realtor to show you what will be done to market your home. Consider the office and company support available to him or her as well as the initiative and professionalism shown by the individual.

Look for a Realtor who tells you what he or she knows from experience in the market, and not what they think you want to hear. Flattery may sometimes get the listing, but it doesn’t sell the home!