My clients ask me: “What should I look for when buying a home?”

As a real estate agent, I set realistic expectations for my clients. Sometimes it’s not so obvious to know what to look for when buying a home.

Before showing homes, I  conduct an initial meeting where I review the important aspects of the home purchase. I discuss what I do and what I expect others to do and review how to achieve these things best. Some of the more important things we go over together in our initial meeting include:

1. Explaining the process: Here, I’ll discuss what to expect during the home-buying process. We review things like the steps we need to take, when we need to take them, and what you can expect from me.
2. Finding out your needs: This is the part of our conversation where I ask several questions to help pinpoint what exactly you are looking for. We review your budget, the type of home you are interested in, and specific features a home must have.
3. Being clear about our roles: You will learn here what I can and can’t do as your agent. Although I am an attorney, there are limitations to the type of advice I can provide. It all depends on the situation. We also review what I expect out of you during this process.
4. Setting realistic expectations: This is the most important part of our conversation. Here, I’ll explain what you can expect form me as your agent in terms of showing properties, researching prices and values, and negotiating the contract. You’ll learn more about my availability, communication preferences and costs associated with hiring a real estate buyer’s agent (you may be surprised, but I charge my clients $0 to represent buyers).
5. Discovering important facts about the home: During the research and showings phase of our relationship, I perform detailed research on each property. I’ll reveal things such as sales history, rental history, prior listing photos, and any information the title report reveals. We can learn things such as whether the home was a rental for many years or whether an occupant died on the property within the last three years.

By reviewing the above items, we can establish a system of transparency and informed decision-making. Setting realistic expectations about what the home-buying process is like ensures a smooth and enjoyable home-buying process. Below are 10 important questions to ask yourself before buying a home. It helps to take your time when formulating answers. Journaling them can also help point you to your real feelings.

Here are ten important questions to ask yourself before buying a home:

1. What is my budget, how much can I realistically afford to spend on a home, and how much do I want to spend?
2. What type of home am I looking for? (e.g., single-family, condo, townhome, etc.)
3. What are the most important features I am looking for in a home(e.g., number of bedrooms, bathrooms, yard, location, etc.)?
4. Is the home in good condition? Do I need to budget for repairs?
5. What are the property taxes, HOA fees, and other ongoing expenses associated with the home?
6. How long has the home been on the market, and are there any known issues with the property?
7. What is the neighborhood like, and are there any upcoming developments that could impact property value?
8. What is the local school district like, and is it important for me to live in a certain school district?
9. What is the crime rate in the area, and is the neighborhood safe?
10. How does the home’s value compare to similar properties in the area, and is it a good investment?

The answers to these questions will lead you to the important topics to consider when considering what to look for when purchasing a home. If you’re curious to learn more about the top questions home buyers ask me, check out my post on frequently asked questions.