How To Find The Perfect Home

How To Find The Perfect Home

It’s time to find that perfect home!

You’re pumped, you’re excited, and you want to know how to make this house a reality.

But what is a “perfect” home? How do you find it? How do you know it when you see it?

Let’s be honest.

When I say “dream home”, you might be thinking about a 8,000 sq ft mega-mansion with 2 pools, but you live alone.

You might be dreaming of a 300 sq ft minimalist tiny home, but you always have 15+ friends and family over for the holidays.

So, first, let’s redefine what the “perfect home” is:

Your “perfect” home is a home that is perfect for you.

But how do I know what is perfect for me (beyond just having a front door and 1 bedroom) and when I know what’s perfect for me,

How do I find my perfect home?

 Here’s how!

 1. Know what you’re wanting

The best way to get started in finding your home is to dream, and dream big!

If you’ve spent years of dreaming about your dream home and hours on Pinterest looking at inspiration, sit down and take the time to compile all your dreams. Put them to paper in a list form. Be as specific as possible!

“master bedroom with private master bathroom, double vanities, and walk-in shower”
“1400+ square feet with fenced back yard for outdoor fire pit”
”In ______ school district with safe sidewalks”

Then prioritize by how important each feature is to you. It’s rare you’ll find a home that includes every single one of these, so a prioritized Dream List will help you narrow your search.

 2. Know what you need

In the dreaming process, “Nice to have” and “Must have” can sometimes get confused.

That’s why it’s important to make a second list: a Non-Negotiable List.

To prepare your Non-Negotiable List: Consider your current lifestyle and make a list of home features that will work best for you.

 
-Do you have pets? (Must have: Fenced back yard)

-Do you work from home? (Must have: Quiet room for home office, solid WiFi)

-Do you commute to work? (Must have: Under 40 miles from downtown, easy freeway access)

-Do you need an accessible home? (Must have: Single-story home, with accessible interior features)

   3. Planning for the future

Life can be unpredictable. But if there is something in your near future you are wanting, don’t forget to factor that into your dream home!

If you are single or newlywed, you might love a smaller home to start with. But if you are planning on having a family soon or if you work from home, you need to factor in extra living space.

If you want a pet, or if you want to have many friends and family over for holidays, these are also things to consider in your search!

 3. Know your finances

Dreams sometimes come with a budget. Look at your current monthly budget, know what you can really afford, and look for a house within that range.

If you already know what you are willing to spend, you will only be looking at things that are within that price range; painting a reality of what that budget can afford.

This is where having a Dream List and Non-Negotiable List comes in handy! The next home you visit might not have granite countertops, but it has a fenced yard. Or perhaps it has a pool, but it doesn’t have enough garage space.

By knowing your budget, you can allow lower-priority Wants go so that you can have your Non-Negotiables without feeling like you’re settling.

 4. Research homes and neighborhoods

This will give you a good head start before visiting prospective homes! Look at current homes like the ones your looking for, so you know what to expect as far as square footage or cost.

But don’t get sucked in or turned off by just the photos online. Never let the appeal distract from the real! Always visit your prospective dream homes. Some houses are roomier in person, some are more cramped. Maybe the house needs some work, but it feels like your home the moment you see it. 

When visiting, don’t forget to check out the neighborhood! Are there coffee shops nearby to walk to, are there local parks to take your puppy, or are there safe sidewalks for your morning jog? Take into account your daily lifestyle.

If you find a house style or a neighborhood you like, let your realtor know! They’ll use that information to assist you in finding the best home in the best location for you!

And finally:

  5. Look and look again

It might take some time to find the perfect home for you. All the research and direction will help you get there faster, but be prepared to search around for your dream home. There will be times you just want to give up and settle. But don’t quit yet!

Remember to stay flexible. This is why I recommend prioritizing your Dream List. Sometimes, there’s something you’ll have to let go, if the property has everything else you’ve ever wanted. Refer to Granite Eyes if you’re letting your Wants dictate your Non-negotiables!

You deserve to find a home that works for you. And you can. Start by focusing on the features your dream home needs to be a perfect fit.

Just remember:
Your “perfect” home is a home that is perfect for you.

The next step is to not just dream it, but start the process! Why wait? 

Are you looking for your dream home?

Send me an email or give me a call, let's make a plan, and go after it!

-Phillip Bachelder, Realtor #PBRealty

Office: (615) 773-6099
Cell: (615) 243-0228
phillipbachelder@gmail.com

Never let the Appeal distract from the Real

Never let the Appeal distract from the Real

March 14, 2017

     What is appeal? Appeal is something that a home seller should present and that a buyer can acknowledge, but must look past it. Appeal is crucial for the seller to present this, but also can create an emotional attachment for a buyer? These things go hand in hand. I will explain in the article to follow why you want to present your house in the best possible way as a seller. I will then also explain why as a buyer you cannot let that appeal be the driving force behind your decision-making process.

      First, let's start with the seller's side of the equation. Sellers, you must, let me repeat that, "MUST" present your house in a way that is appealing to buyers. You must make it look and smell as good as possible every time someone comes to look at it. This is not a suggestion, and as a matter of fact if you are not willing to keep your house clean, smelling good, and staged to appeal to a buyer, then I am probably not the right agent for you. I say this to hopefully shock your thinking.

    Every house I list, I have professional photos taken that I pay for. I invest in you, and I make sure your house is marketed in the best ways possible. So, when those photos are taken, and people show up to see it, it must look like what the photos portrayed. If not, then you are just misleading people and your listing will go stale. Once your listing goes stale, the only way to to get activity again, for the most part, is to lower your listing price. And in the market I work in (Nashville) this should be an absolute last resort.

     Now for our buyer's side: "BUYER BEWARE". I say this because there are houses out there that simply look amazing. The owners took the time to stage the house so that you would fall in love with it immediately. The appeal is so attractive that you basically shut off all logic and reason and emotions take over. YOU MUST NOT LET THIS HAPPEN!

    If you have a good realtor, they will (hopefully) be able to help you keep a level head. But, at the end of the day, the decision to buy falls solely on your shoulders. I promise you that you do not want to ignore all the warning signs for because you get granite, hardwood, and what you think will help you "keep up with the Jones's". If you do, you will be up to your neck in work and unforeseen costs that will add up faster than a school of sharks on a wounded prey.

    A couple of things that will keep you grounded are the following:

    First and foremost: a good Realtor. I will keep coming back to this because you are not an expert, but they are and they should have your best interests in mind.

    Second, have a budget. If you already know what you are willing to spend, you will only be looking at things that are within that price point; painting a reality of what that budget can afford.

    Lastly, be willing to walk away! If you do find a house and make an offer that gets accepted, but the home inspection comes back with some pretty major issues that the seller is not willing to fix, then walk away. Don't trade flash for common sense. Just remember, it will have to be fixed eventually, and it will be up to you unless your Realtor is able to negotiate an agreeable resolution on your behalf.

     All in all, I hope this article brings a better sense of how to approach listing you home and buying a home. Look forward to more articles and tips to come to make your home-buying, selling, and Realtor experience one that is second to none. 

-Phillip Bachelder, Realtor #PBRealty