Have a More Relaxing House Hunt with These Tips

Want a stress-free, seamless experience throughout your house hunt? We’ve all heard stories about how chaotic buying a home can be, but a house hunt doesn’t need to be a hassle.

Preparing in advance, consulting with industry professionals, and staying positive are all steps that buyers can take to alleviate the stress of searching for the right home.

Seven Tips to Streamline Your House Hunt

Here’s an expanded list of proactive tips that all buyers should consult to enjoy a more relaxing house hunt.

#1. Organize Your Finances Early

Preparing your finances as early as possible will help you gain clarity about what you can afford, allowing you to curate your market search and calculate your down payment.

Before you begin your house hunt, spend time building your credit to boost your score — by paying off outstanding debts, paying your bills on time, and disputing any errors on your report. When it comes time to shop for your mortgage, a higher credit score can provide access to preferable loan terms — like lower interest rates and waived fees.

Make sure to speak with your lender about special federal and local affordability programs that you may qualify for, especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer.

#2. Utilize Search Filters

According to the National Association of REALTORS®,

• 41% of buyers in 2021 looked at properties for sale online as the first step of their buying process.
• 97% of buyers in 2020 used the internet at some point during their home buying process.
• 95% of buyers in 2021 utilized online tools during their house hunt.
  

As more and more buyers leverage the internet to view homes in their target markets, save time by working with search filters to narrow down the results.

Many listing websites include search filters that allow buyers to edit their search results by price, location, days on the market, and more. When you are viewing properties online, make sure that you’ve set your search criteria to avoid wasting time during your house hunt.

#3. Know What House Style You’re Looking For

Are you interested in homes that are designed in the contemporary style, or cottage style?

Learning about the different architectural styles in your area can help you specify what you’re looking for throughout your house hunt. Having a specific home style in mind can help you learn what neighborhoods to shop in, further narrowing down the search process.

Talk to your agent about the house styles that you’re interested in so your home hunt can consider your stylistic preferences.

#4. Identify Household Criteria

What do you and your family require from your new home? Creating a list of needs, wants, and non-negotiables helps buyers get clear about what they’re actually shopping for — the lifestyle that a home can provide.

Speak to every member of your household to make sure that everyone is being considered. If you are moving into the home where you plan to start your family, think about the evolving needs of your property.

• Where will your children go to school?
• What are the commutes like?
• Is this area safe and family-friendly?

#5. Learn About the Escrow Process

As you embark on your house hunt, get familiar with the steps that follow finding the home by learning about escrow. When buying a home, escrow procedures include:

• Property appraisals
• Home inspections
• Title transfer preparations
• Final walkthrough
  

It’s a good idea to learn about the terms associated with escrow, especially if this is your first time buying a home. Perform due diligence online about the escrow process, or speak to your real estate agent about what you should expect and how to best prepare.

#6. Research the Real Estate Market

The market conditions at the time of your house hunt will shape your experience, as well as determine what listings are available to you. To prepare for property shopping, spend some time analyzing the state of your local real estate market.

Pay attention to property prices, days on the market, and local inventory. These three indicators will help you understand whether your market is currently favoring buyers or sellers.

• When there is a large supply of homes with longer days on the market and lower prices, the market is favoring buyers.
• When there is a low supply of homes that are spending less time on the market and selling for higher prices, the market is favoring sellers.
  

Knowing the state of the market will allow you to curate a custom strategy alongside your top agent — to maximize the benefits, or overcome the challenges — introduced by your market.

#7. Work With a Top Agent

The best way to take the stress out of your house hunt is by hiring the perfect agent to assist you in purchasing a home. The best agents in your community will be able to help you find the right listing at a price you can afford while preparing you for the next steps of your transaction.

If you’re ready to meet your top agent, get connected to the best-performing agents in your community through RealEstateAgents.com.