House hunting is one of the most exciting things to do, but it isn’t as easy as it sounds since you’ll have to spend a lot of time and energy searching for the right home.
As long as you prepare yourself well, it will be a wonderful and memorable experience. You can work with a reliable real estate agent, like a Coquitlam realtor, who can guide you through the process. It will also help to know the things to expect when going house hunting.
1. You May Easily Get Bored
Going house hunting may be an exciting thing to do, especially if it’s your first time. However, house hunting can be a time-consuming process. You’ll have to look at various properties before finding ‘the one.’
Usually, the first few days are fun. But as days pass, you might start to feel bored since you’ll have to do the same thing again and again. For instance, you’ll need to go on several tours, which can be tiring. And while checking out properties, you may find some that are similar.
But just because you get bored doesn’t mean you should give up. You just need to be patient. You’ll find the home of your dreams eventually.
2. Not All Properties Are As They Appear On Photos
Aside from viewing homes, you can visit property websites. Pictures posted on these websites are beautiful, but they can be misleading. Sometimes, what you see isn’t what you get, so you shouldn’t rely on photos to make a decision.
It’s best to visit the properties in person to verify. Some properties are maintained and designed well while others aren’t.
Moreover, property owners wouldn’t reveal any issues related to the property. So, when you tour a place, be sure to watch out for problems, such as:
- Broken doors and windows
- Lack of space
- Mismatched tiles in some areas, such as the kitchen
- Water damage
- Stains and mold
- Poor roads
- Bug infestation
3. Some Agents Will Lie
Although you can find a trustworthy real estate agent, you might encounter an unreliable one. Agents have targets to meet, and one of these targets is to hold several viewings and sell as many properties as possible. However, some of them believe that the end justifies the means. Therefore, they’ll do anything to attain their targets, even if it means lying to clients.
For instance, you inform your agent that you want a house close to the beach. Even if you tell them what you want, they’ll encourage you to view homes that offer sea views but aren’t close to the beach.
4. You Might Receive Voicemails From Agents
You might think agents will communicate with you via email since getting a house is a formal process, but this isn’t always the case. Many agents actually prefer calling and sending emails after you have reached an agreement.
Even if you aren’t always available to pick up their calls, some agents will still try to contact you by leaving several voicemails. So, when you go house hunting, be ready to receive voicemails from agents you’ll be working with.
5. The Place You Want May Not Meet Your Budget
Part of house hunting is setting a budget. Having a budget will keep you from overspending, as well as give you a clear idea of what properties you can afford. However, you might come across a home that’s just perfect but doesn’t fit your budget.
In case this happens, what you can do is get a prequalified loan or a preapproved mortgage. You’ll need more funds to buy the place you prefer instead of settling for the one you don’t want.
6. You Need To Do An Inspection
When you finally find ‘the one,’ you’ll feel happy, relaxed, and relieved. However, the work doesn’t end there. There are steps you need to take to close on a house. One of these steps is to do a home inspection. You need to hire a professional home inspector to ensure that the place is safe to live in.
A home inspection may take a while, as it involves checking various features, including:
- HVAC system
- Plumbing
- Basement
- Roofing
- Chimney
- Electricity
You might think it’s unnecessary to pay for a home inspection, but it’s worth it. For one thing, it prevents ‘buyer’s regret.’ You wouldn’t want to realize later on that the place you bought is equipped with a malfunctioning HVAC system, a broken roof, or bad pipes.
Wrapping Up
Looking for a new place can be challenging since you’ll have to consider various factors, like location, and go on multiple tours. But if you know what to do and expect, it will be a fun and fulfilling experience you’ll never forget.