The homebuying process can seem intimidating and opaque, especially if you’ve never done it before – but investing in homeownership is one of the best ways to build wealth, and I want to help you get there! This is the second in a 4-part series geared toward informing you about what to expect as you buy a home. A big part of my role as your Realtor® is making sure that you understand and are comfortable with the process – that you feel informed and in control at each step.
Last time, we got started with Steps 1-3: knowing our budget, wants, and needs. Now, the fun part:
Part 2: The Part Where We Play House Hunters
Step 4: Showings
Showings are private tours of available homes. You and I get to walk through the property and you can imagine yourself living there. The homes we see can be in all conditions: vacant or occupied, staged or completely empty, clean or filthy, pristine and move-in ready or in need of a ton of work. We always want to be respectful of the space, especially if the home is still occupied.
How much time do showings take?
Pretty much as little or as long as you like (within reason)! If you walk into a home and you immediately know it’s not for you, there’s no obligation to look at the whole thing – we can just walk out (or not even walk in!). On the other hand, if you think this might be the one, let’s take our time and really picture you and your life in this house. I usually schedule 1 hour showing windows (when allowed), so if you want to slow down, we absolutely can.
In the big picture, we could be looking for months, or we could find the right place within a week! I generally believe that when you see more houses, you become a more educated buyer because you know what’s out there. (But with the caveat that too many showings in one day can be overwhelming!)
What are we looking for?
Obviously you’re looking at the property to see if it fits the wants and needs we discussed last time - but we’re also keeping an eye out for concerns with condition and location. Will the noise from that busy street ruin your peaceful enjoyment of the home? Is the floor uneven or are there cracks in the foundation? We want to be attentive to any issues that might be indicative of larger or long-term problems.
What if I want to see that one place again?
We can always do a second showing – as long as the property is still available! In the Denver market, we are not often afforded that luxury, with many clean and appropriately-priced listings going under contract in a matter of a few days.
I know that house is out of my budget – can I see it anyway?
This is a slippery slope… I want you to be in the best position possible, and that means buying a house that fits all of your needs, including your budget needs. If the house in question is only a little over budget, and if stretching a little is feasible - and could get you everything you’re looking for - let’s talk about it. If you’re looking at $450,000 houses and you send me one at $700,000, I’m probably going to say no.
I found THE ONE – what next?
Next is deciding on a price and submitting an offer – which will be in the third installment to come!
You can also peek at the whole timeline below:
