Don’t Expect Perfect

As a First Time Home Buyer, you have started out with a “vision”.  You’ve come prepared with your wish list and you have it in  mind that you won’t  settle for anything less.  You could be setting yourself up for disappointment and frustration.  Prioritize your list and keep in mind that if you find a home that meets 8 -9 items out of 10 that  is very good indeed and you are doing better than most. Are the other 1 or 2 items so important, that they are really going to be a deal breaker?

Dream House

Take a really good look beyond the paint and how the house is decorated before you decide the house is or isn’t for you.  It could be that all the house needs is some paint and your decorating skills to make it your dream home. Something can be said for the opposite too!  If the house is well-staged and well-decorated and absolutely grabs your attention,  take a step back and ask yourself  what it is about the house you really loved.  If you say “that living room looked so great, the sofa was just right for that room.”  Then it is possible you were looking at the sofa and not the room.  A well-staged and decorated home is a good indication that the seller has cared for and maintained the home, but be sure you are looking at the important aspects of the house … the ones that will still be there when you move in.

If you have found a house that really fits you, but the roof is old, or the AC unit  needs some work or an upgrade, or there are things in need of some attention, consider what it would cost in time and money to replace or repair it.  You need to weigh-in the replacements and repairs against the price of the house.  Let’s face it, a $2000 repair for a $200,000 house is not bad and you always have the option of requesting the items be corrected by the seller when you make your offer.

Don’t think you have to have the last word to come out the winner when purchasing a home.  A Good Deal is only  good when it works for both parties.  Let go of the small stuff and focus on what is really important.   Don’t let emotions and ego stand in the way of buying the home you want. Remember this is a business transaction and there will be some give and take before the deal is finalized.

Some first time home buyers think that a foreclosure or a short sale is going to be the best deal.  In the majority of cases, that just isn’t so.  The hassle and additional costs that can be associated with these types of sales can really be too costly for the first time buyer.  Leave those to the investor, who has the time, money and patience.  You are much better off working with a seller-owned property where you can sit down and work out the best deal, one on one, through your Realtor.

Find a Realtor you can develop a relationship with, one who listens to  your needs and concerns.  When you purchase your first home you should have someone that truly represents you and not the seller.  Maybe on home two or three you will have learned enough to represent yourself in working with the seller’s agent.

There is a great selection of homes for sale in the Bryan and College Station,TX areas that would be perfect for first time home buyers or parents seeking to purchase housing for a student in lieu of paying rent.