Finding the Right Home

There are many options available to home buyers. A combination of several or all of the following should be considered in order to avail yourself to the most thorough search, for the best results.

Use a Real Estate Agent -  By sitting down with a real estate agent and discussing your wants and needs- what you absolutely must have and what you absolutely do not want and everything in between, you should be able to get a good idea of what is available in your price range in the desired location. It’s helpful to have an actual list prepared and share it with your Realtor, so that when you start looking at actual property, even if you lose sight of the most important things to you, your Realtor won’t.

Visit Internet sites & Print ads- Many people go through the real estate classified section or browse the Internet to find a home that appeals to them and that’s an excellent place to start. Bear in mind, a listing agent’s goal is to highlight the good points to the property and not necessarily the flaws. Visual tours are helpful, but there’s nothing that will replace an actual on-site viewing.

Public access to the Multiple Listing Service- Referred to as the MLS, there are several public sites that feed directly from the WNC regional MLS. Each listing should have, at a minimum, the following

 •Location & directions- that include subdivision name if applicable and the actual area-

 •Price, square footage, number of bedrooms, description of house features

 •Photographs- 24 is the maximum on the MLS but there may well be a visual tour to review

•Annual property tax, association fees if applicable

•Listing company. Most companies agree to allows their property to be shown on all websites

Once you have selected several properties to actually visit, be sure to

 •Write notes so you will be able to discuss the details later with your real estate agent and others.

 •Ask questions about the home and discuss any objections or concerns you may have.

 •Ask about the community – schools, shopping and transportation. Perhaps stop back by at a later date and meet the neighbors, visit local stores…get a feel for the neighborhood.

 •Make a list of specific questions about the construction of the home; electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling systems, etc. so that your agent can contact the listing agent to get answers.

 Have Fun and  Relax. Finding your new home can be a rewarding experience. Have a good time and enjoy the process.