Purchasing a home is a big decision and one that deserves careful consideration. Here are some home buying tips to keep in mind as you start on this important endeavor to find you slice of paradise.
Tip # 1 – Get Connected with a Realtor®
There is a natural hesitancy to engage a real estate professional too early on. However, the good ones will appreciate early engagement without pressure to push the timeline. A qualified agent will help navigate the area and get you focused on the communities that are best aligned with your search criteria to maximize your time. Using their market intelligence, a knowledgeable agent will also be able to help you ensure that you are getting a good value when you find properties of interest.
Tip # 2 – Sample the Town
There is something for everyone in Naples. If you haven’t purchased property in the area before, you may not have a grasp of what areas your price point will allow or what style and size home may be options in those geographic areas. So, I will often set up a day of sampling to give a grounding on this before we even get to deep into discussing criteria. Often, when someone doesn’t have this base knowledge they may express looking for a beachfront home for under $500,000 not realizing that this the criteria may not align. This step will actually help you prioritize your criteria to get your search off in the right direction.
Tip # 3 – Establish and Refine Your Priorities
As with any home purchase, you tend to start with your long list and then make trade off decisions as you progress in your house hunting. Taking the time to think through and prioritize the things that are must haves and nice to haves up front will help you make decisions on properties to confirm the best home for you. And, know which ones you are willing to compromise on in order to get others?
Tip # 4 – Consult with Your Advisors
As you prepare for such an important transaction, you should consult with your attorney, estate planner, and/or tax accountant. They will be able to help you determine the best approach to acquiring a home with considerations such as how to deed the property, what are the financial implications, which property to homestead, where is the best place to pull the money from, etc.
Tip # 5 – Have Your Financials In Order
Some people choose to wait to start the financial planning process until they find what they want. However, if you have already gone through the process to determine whether you will be borrowing or paying cash AND if borrowing how much you don’t run the risk of losing the home to other interested parties. In addition to this, having a pre-approval letter (one step above a pre-qualification letter) can be key to having your offer accepted in Naples. Additionally, knowing what you can afford (considering home price, taxes, annual community fees and closing costs ensures that you are only looking at what you can afford.
This should be an exciting time and one that can bring great satisfaction. Surrounding yourself with experienced professionals will protect your interests each step of the way and help you find the home of your dreams. If we have the opportunity to work together on your search, I have additional client resources to help us get off to a great start.