Monday, January 31, 2011

First Time Homebuying Advice.


I'm no expert at homebuying, though I did endure a long house hunting process and I learned lots. I am no longer a property virgin anymore!

1. Be patient. You wouldn't settle on choosing a spouse so don't settle on a house. The right one is out there!

2. Enjoy this unique stage of life you are in. I know it can get exhausting looking at houses after work each week, but it's a fun time and it won't last forever.

3. It's important to make a list of what you MUST have in a house and stick to the list. It will save you so much time. We knew we wanted a basement and at least 2 bathrooms so we didn't look at any houses that did not meet this criteria and it helped narrow down our search.

4. You will go to at least one house that you will not even want to go inside. Be prepared! It may be frustrating, but it will be a good story.

5. House hunting is like dating because you will fall head over heels in love with one and it will break your heart. An offer will get accepted before you get to it, requires too many repairs, etc etc. It will happen and it will suck, but it wasn't meant to be your house.

6. Sleep on it. You may think you can live on a gravel road or have a Michigan basement when you are in the house. After you go home, talk it over, and sleep on it because you may feel differently.

7. In the end, you will find the house you were supposed to have and it will make all the other houses pale in comparison.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

YAY!! Congrats to you both!!!

I can't wait until we start our home buying experience!

Jules said...

Great advice and it’s all so true. I’ll never forget how frustrating it was to look at house after house and then find a good one and have the rug pulled out from under us. In the end it all works out, but it can be a bumpy ride to get there.

I’m so happy you and Garth found THE house for you!

carrie1 said...

YAY!! Congrats on the new house. =) Hope the move in goes well.

Elizabeth said...

SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!! :-)

The Shabby Princess said...

I echo those sentiments excatly!! Congratulations again on your first HOME!

Unknown said...

Congrats on finding your home!!! All of your advice is SOOOO true! And add one other to it - if it's even just a "little" out of your budget and "to die for" - it's still not worth it. Never go for something you can't afford - even if it's just a "little" stretch. There WILL always be another house with those qualities in it - in your price range.

Newlywed Hostess said...

I am so glad that you are loving living in your own house!

Take care and enjoy the house!

Shanny said...

You are sooo right with all the advice you gave, very sweet of you to share it. Now go enjoy your new home, its very exciting decorating and personalizing it =)

xoxo-Kristen said...

congrats girl!!! :)))))))) sooo exciting!

Amanda said...

What an exciting time for you! I can't wait for us to start our first home buying process this spring.

Charbelle said...

All of this is so very very true!!! Congratulations on the new house it is truly truly fabulous!!! So excited for y'all!!!!
So very very thankful that your eye is healing and everything is working out with that too!!!
Know that I'm reading and keeping up I'm just having to read from google reader at work and I have to remember to come back and comment :)
So many wonderful things for you two, so very happy for you!!!

jules said...

Every one of those are soooo true. I am so happy for you that you finally found a house that you and Garth will make into your very first home.

Stacie said...

Great advice, thanks for posting :-)

LWLH said...

Congrats on finding the house! :)