Searching for your dream home can quickly begin to feel more like a nightmare, after one too many dodgy house visits, or a declined offer that felt more like a break-up than a business deal.
With over 30 years in the property industry, we’ve a learnt thing or two about how to house hunt like a pro. Hone the following skills, and you’ll be a prize house hunter in no time - and hopefully a homeowner in less time too.
BE PREPARED
Direct some of that spring-cleaning, super-organised energy toward getting prepared before you even begin the house hunt. In order to be a serious frontrunner in a bidding war, you’ll need to have all of your ducks in a row. Choose a savvy real estate agent, get a pre-approved bond, and know what you’re looking for in a house and what’s a deal-breaker.
KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
Once you’ve determined the neighbourhood you’d like to live in, find out all you can about it – especially relating to property prices, where prime property in the area is located and the difference between the asking prices and the actual prices properties are sold for. All of these factors will help you to determine the market value of houses on the market, so that when the right one comes along, you can act fast. Of course, it does help to know a neighbourhood expert: at Rawson, all our agents are passionate about knowing all they can about their neighbourhoods, all of the time.
HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
Most people will search for listings online during the house hunting process. Starting your search online is a good move, but don’t get stuck behind your computer screen… With things still generally leaning toward a seller’s market, stock is often limited. The early bird who views a newly-listed home first will often be the first to make an offer, and first offers are usually final ones too.
HOLD THE RUNNING COMMENTARY
Speaking of sellers, most are immensely proud and somewhat protective of the homes they are selling. And whilst you walk around evaluating its pros and cons, they may be close by. Of course, it’s often the most interested buyers who pick a place apart to figure out exactly what they will need to do to it to make it theirs. But sellers don’t always understand this, and you don’t want to end up in a multiple offer situation in which you’re on the back foot because you badmouthed the mustard yellow tiles in the bathroom.
BE REALLY HONEST WITH YOUR AGENT
While viewing a house, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Until you get in the car with your agent and roll up the windows… Now it’s time to get really honest. Don’t worry about offending your agent – the house they are showing you is not their house – and it’s important for them to understand what you really like and really loathe. Don't be polite or omit a criticism or concern you have. Doing so can result in you seeing more of the same, which is a waste of everybody's time.
That’s it from us. Happy hunting!
