The Best Strategy Ever to Buy Your Perfect Home!
Buying a home is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. It can also be overwhelming given the number of details you need to juggle and balance to wind up purchasing that dream home. That is why it is a good idea to use a spreadsheet or checklist to keep track of the homes that you see and compare their features against your preferences.
A spreadsheet or checklist can help you organize your thoughts and prioritize your needs and wants. It can also help you avoid getting distracted by the “wow” factor and buying a home that does not suit your lifestyle or budget. (Trust me I have seen it happen!)
To create a spreadsheet or checklist, you will need three columns:
Must Have, Would really like to have, and Bonuses. In each column, you will list the features that are important to you, such as:
- Location: The neighbourhood, the school district, the commute time, the proximity to amenities, etc.
- Size: The number of bedrooms, bathrooms, living spaces, storage spaces, etc.
- Condition: The age, the style, the maintenance, the upgrades, the repairs, etc.
- Price: Max dollar if all your ‘Must Haves’ are met.
Add any criteria that are relevant to you, such as energy efficiency, accessibility, security, curb appeal, etc.
Once you have your spreadsheet or checklist ready, you can use it to evaluate each home that you visit. You can check off the features that each home has and rate them on a scale of 1 to 10. You can also take notes and photos to help you remember the details.
If any home meets 100% of your ‘Must Haves,’ ALWAYS make an offer!
If over 75% of your ‘MUST HAVES’ are met and around 50% of the rest of the items on the other two columns are met, again, ALWAYS make an offer.
The maximum price you want to pay is based on meeting all of your ‘Must Haves.’
IF you fall a few short and are offering based on so many other ‘Would Like to Have,’ and ‘Bonuses’ being met, make sure you save some room in your final price to build, create the ‘MUST HAVES’ and get that list to 100% shortly after closing.
By using a spreadsheet or checklist, you will be able to see which homes meet your expectations and which ones fall short. You will also be able to narrow down your choices and make an informed decision. A spreadsheet or checklist can help you find your ideal home without missing an opportunity or getting overwhelmed.
I know this can sound a little too structured for some, but it is a proven way to ensure you don’t miss the perfect deal, or experience the regret of missing out on something important in your new home.
Good news is I have helped hundreds through this process and always wind up with happy homeowners.
If you want to be next give me a call at 647-230-2068
