Oct 26, 2023
Buying a home is one of the most significant and exciting milestones in anyone's life. When it comes to the home-buying process, there's a common tendency to focus on the fantasy of scrolling through Zillow listings or touring properties and envisioning your life in a new space. With nearly 41% of first-time homebuyers expressing concerns about missing out on better home options, it's clear that many have not yet asked the right questions (National Mortgage, 2022).
However, there's an invaluable stage that often gets overlooked—the Serious Shortlist. This phase holds the key to making an informed decision and avoiding potential pitfalls down the road. As you dive deeper into the process, tools like HomeScore provide you with personalized insights rooted in home inspections.
Building Your Serious Short List:
Before you even consider making an offer, it's essential to create a short list of properties that pique your interest. It's not enough to merely ask questions about heating systems and the number of bathrooms. If you're starting a family, working from home, or love to cook, these are attributes you should consider when formulating your questions.
With HomeScore, you're able to see how various home specifications match with your personality, weekend and weekday routines, and hobbies/activities. Whether you prioritize an updated kitchen, a large backyard for outdoor living, a garage, space for pets, or updated bathrooms, HomeScore ensures that your home ownership journey is tailored to you.
Will it Pass the 2nd Day Test:
Imagine waking up on your second day in the home. You want to make sure the home is still in the condition you expected it to be. Is the carpet starting to unravel? Is there a leaky bathroom faucet? Are there cracks in the garage that you didn't see during the open house.
Getting a clear picture of the urgent repairs that need to be addressed and the associated cost estimates will help you budget for the coming year. Having a licensed inspector perform a comprehensive inspection is key to understanding the quality of the home and determining whether certain repairs should affect the offer or result in negotiations with the seller.
HomeScore helps you negotiate the price of a property you like. After uploading your home inspection, we recommend a negotiation strategy by highlighting key systems that are most likely to result in a favorable negotiation.
In the whirlwind of home buying, don't let the allure of aesthetics overshadow the significance of asking detailed questions and conducting thorough inspections. This often overlooked phase is your safeguard against unexpected surprises, ensuring that the property you choose is not only visually appealing but also structurally sound. When you're getting serious about a property you really like, check out HomeScore to verify its quality and ensure it's the right fit for your lifestyle.