Buying a House in 2022
Some Lessons Learn in the Early Stages
We are in the early stages of looking for a new house. This is the first time in nearly 15 years that we are house hunting and things have changed a lot. The market is hot and there are so many choices out there! We want to make sure that we find the right home for our family, so we are taking our time to look around and figure out what's important to us.
One thing that has surprised us is how expensive houses have become. Even though our income has grown since we last bought a home, it seems like prices have skyrocketed! We will need to save up more money if we want to buy something in today's market.
Another big change since 2008 is how popular online tools like Zillow and Trulia are. It's really easy now to see what houses are being listed for sale in your area, as well as get an idea of what they might be worth. This has been really helpful for us as we start our search - it gives us a good baseline understanding of pricing in different neighborhoods.
Overall, buying a home today feels very different than it did 15 years ago! But that doesn't mean it isn't still an exciting process -we can't wait to find the perfect place for our family
Things I have Learned (so far)
The housing market is hot right now and you have to move fast if you want to buy a house. As soon as you find a place that you like, put down an offer - even if it's not an "all-cash offer." Chances are the sellers won't pay attention to your offer if it's not all cash.
Moving is Stressful
Moving is stressful. It's a process that takes longer than some people think it will. And it can be expensive. But, there are ways to make the process easier and less expensive.
The first step is to plan ahead and get organized. Start by sorting through your belongings and deciding what you want to keep, sell or donate. Next, create a budget and timeline for your move. This will help you determine how much time you need to pack and how much money you need to budget for moving expenses such as truck rental, packing supplies, and movers' fees if needed .
If possible, try to schedule your move during the off-season when rates are lower at moving companies. And take advantage of free or discounted boxes from local stores or online sources like U-Haul Box Exchange. You can also save money on packing materials by using old newspapers, towels, or blankets instead of bubble wrap or packing peanuts .
Finally, don't forget Murphy's Law - Anything that can go wrong during a move usually does! So be prepared for unexpected delays and costs by having extra cash on hand just in case something goes wrong .
Use MLS
Finding a home that's available and fits your needs can be tricky. With everything being online, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle of listings. The best way to find an available home is to use multi-listing services (MLS). MLS databases compile information from many different real estate sources into one place so you can search for properties more easily.
Another advantage of using MLS is that you have access to more properties than you would if you were only searching on individual websites. This is because not all real estate agents list their properties on every website. By using MLS, you'll have a greater chance of finding the perfect property for sale.
If you're looking for a new home, don't miss out on the benefits of using MLS!
Get Everyone Involve
When looking for a house, it is important that everyone in the family is on the same page. This means knowing what each person wants in a home and getting everyone involved in the house-hunting process.
For example, one family member might want a large yard while another wants plenty of bedrooms. If these needs are not communicated and considered during the search, it could lead to disappointment and frustration down the road.
It's also important to keep everyone's budget in mind when viewing homes. Trying to find something that fits everyone's needs and budget can be difficult, but it's definitely worth trying! By working together as a team, you're more likely to find your perfect home - sooner rather than later!
Keep a Journal
If you're like most people, you're probably in the process of house hunting right now. And if you're like me, you may have already found yourself falling in love with a few houses that are perfect...except for one thing: they don't have a journaling area.
Don't worry - I'm here to tell you that keeping an active journal can help make up for this lack and still help with the house search. How? By giving you something to reference later when trying to recall things that you liked in other houses.
For example, let's say that one of your favorite features of another house was the huge windows in the living room. If your new home doesn't have any windows at all, but does have a great fireplace instead, being able to remember what it was like having natural light streaming into the living room can help make peace with your decision.
In short, keeping an active journal is a great way to supplement your memory and keep track of all the little details about each and every house that catches your eye (good or bad). So go ahead and start writing - who knows? It might just come in handy down the road!
Different Agents
It can be a good idea to work with different agents when buying a home. Different agents have unique experiences that can help you find the perfect home. They may know the territory better or they may know what to look for when walking through a house.
When working with different agents, it is important to keep in mind that each one has their own strengths and weaknesses. You may want to ask your friends and family for referrals, or look online for reviews of local agents. Once you have a few names, interview them to see which one would be the best fit for you.
Be sure to let your agent know what you are looking for in a home and how much you are willing to spend on it; this will help them focus their search on houses that meet your criteria. And don't hesitate to ask questions - an experienced agent should be happy to answer any of your concerns about the process of buying a home."