Home Buying Tips for First-Time and Experienced Buyers

Recent home sales prices, market trends, homes on the market, neighborhood statistics, and more are all available online. Searching online is often the first step for many buyers and can help you create and narrow down your own list of “must-haves” when it comes to that big purchase. Verani.com allows buyers to search and create customized, saved searches that are your own lists of properties based upon your needs and desires regarding location, price, and features in a home. You can also sign up for email updates, learn about our real estate MLS listings and our agents, and schedule tours.

As you begin shopping for a home, it is sometimes hard to know exactly what you must have in a home purchase. Attending several open house events can help you get a mental picture of what you like and dislike in a home. The best part? All you need to do is show up at the open house during the scheduled event and walk through the door, and many times it only takes 30 minutes or less to see all the home has to offer.

Remember, if you are already under a buyer broker’s agreement, be sure to disclose your agent’s name in any conversation you have with the listing agent so they know you already have someone representing you should you decide to place an offer.

To find open houses, simply click on Verani’s “open houses” tab and do a search for homes, which you can narrow down as much as you like by location, style, size, and price point. Our website will provide you an up-to-date list of homes (updated every 15 minutes).

Your Verani real estate agent is a wealth of information. They may have already seen some of the homes that interest you, so they can offer you more details about the property as well as share their knowledge about the neighborhood, the community, and the school system. This is invaluable information as you narrow down the list of which homes you would like to see.

You’ve probably heard the old real estate saying, “location, location, location,” but the point still bears repeating. Even a picture-perfect dream home can be a mistake if it’s in an undesirable location. Consider the local school system, access to public amenities, your commute time, and surrounding properties when visiting houses.

Start compiling your wish list by thinking about what you like and dislike about your current home. Zero in on the features you must have, would like to have, would prefer not to have, and definitely don’t want. Turn your priorities into a personalized home-shopping checklist and use it to track the features of each home. Ask your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty agent for printouts of all the homes you will be viewing. Touring multiple homes is a confusing experience for most people. Rather than relying on memory, make notes about the homes you visit.
Once you view a couple of homes, you will begin to see more clearly what really appeals to you and what does not. Finding that perfect home may be just one showing away. When you find your next home, your agent will be working with you to place your offer and navigate through the buying process until the keys to the front door are in your hands.