How To Manage Stress During Your House Hunt
Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or have gone through the process before, taking the leap into buying a home can be a nerve-wracking experience. But the good news is—it doesn’t have to be! There will always be some aspects of the home buying process that are out of your control, but there are ways to minimize the stress involved! Check out our tips for a less bumpy home buying road:
1. Know what you want (before you look)
When you’re already out seeing homes with your agent, it isn’t the time to be deciding how many bedrooms you want, the type of floor plan you need or the area in which you want to live. There are so many things you can narrow down before you ever see your first house, which will save you time and stress in the long run. Let your realtor know in advance of any deal breakers for you and the things you want but would be willing to compromise on. If you make a priority list from the get-go, it’ll make the home search go much quicker.
2. Give yourself plenty of time
Don’t wait until you’re down to the wire to start looking for a home. A lot of stress during the home buying process stems from the feeling of not having enough time to make one of the most important decisions of your life. Begin the process sooner rather than later, so you don’t feel that sense of rushing. If you have to break your lease a month or two early, it’s not a huge deal.
3. Get pre-approved for a mortgage loan
You may think you can totally get approved for a home loan, but what if your credit score isn’t quite up to snuff? Many realtors won’t work with you until you’ve been pre-approved by a lender because it is a waste of time for everyone involved in the event that you can’t get that approval after all. If you clean up your credit in advance and pay off old debts, it will make the loan process go more smoothly. Plus, this pre-approval gives you your home buying budget, further narrowing down potential prospects.
4. Take good notes
After a while of home showings, they might all start running together. In order to make your decision, you’ll need to remember which one is which once you’re home and thinking them over. Try taking good notes at every location so that you can easily compare and contrast later. You may even want to snap a photo or two with your phone just to jog your memory.
5. Don’t get attached
It’s so easy to fall in love with a home and put all of your eggs into that basket. When you’re looking for homes, try not to start moving in furniture or planning future children’s nurseries in your mind. There is a chance that someone will buy the home before you or maybe the seller won’t accept your offer. Just try to keep a casual attitude about the process so you don’t cause yourself undue heartbreak if the home you had your eye on is suddenly not an option.
6. Rely on your realtor
Even though the final decision is up to you, everything in between can be made so much smoother with the help of a qualified realtor. An experienced agent can help you weigh your options and will guide you to make the type of offer that will fit into your budget and that a seller will be inclined to accept. Then they will negotiate on your behalf, keeping in mind the latest market conditions, government regulations, and upcoming developments—so that you don't have to.
