According to NAR Realtor, 5.64 million homes are purchased every year. Buying your dream home is not always straightforward however, so it helps if you are financially prepared, and also willing to think outside of the box when it comes to searching for a property. With a home loan already in place before you start looking, you will be able to move forward with a purchase quickly and without fuss, taking you one step closer to living the home that you’ve always wanted.
Get your finances sorted early
Buying a home can be a competitive business, and some realtors won’t even consider showing a house to prospective buyers unless they have their finances sorted first. You are also more likely to be able to arrange a quick sale if you have the funds ready and available. Before you think of looking at houses, look for competitive home loans with good interest rates. It is advisable to get pre-approval for a home loan, so that you can make your house purchase swiftly, and also so you don’t lose out to someone else.
Put the word out
51% of people find their house online, and 28% go to the realtor when they were looking to buy. But for many people, finding a dream home, particularly in the area you want to live in, is a case of putting the word out that you are actively looking. 10% of buyers find their home through a yard sign, or they approach the owners directly – it can sometimes be a case of “if you don’t ask, you don’t get.” 6% of people find their dream home through a neighbor or friend, and 5% even approach the builder, getting themselves directly to the front of the queue. When you are looking for a dream home, it is definitely worth expanding your search past Zoopla and Rightmove.
Expand your vision
A dream home doesn’t always come ready-made, sometimes you might have to put a little work in. When you are house hunting, it is always worth looking at properties that need a bit of TLC. You might not be able to move in straight away, or you might need to do some interior decorating, but a house needing work might actually be a good thing. It means that you can put your own stamp on a place and make it personal to you. You might even grab a bargain too, giving you a little budget to turn a doer-upper into a dream home.
When it comes to buying the perfect house, it always helps to be prepared. Get your finances sorted and be proactive when searching, and before you know it, you could be moving into a beautiful home that is meant to be.