Quick Guide: Preparing To Buy A Knoxville Home This Spring
It’s finally spring in Knoxville. The temperatures have warmed up. Flowers are starting to bloom. And, trees are slowly starting to bud.
With the sudden onset of spring weather, many buyers get inspired to think about buying a Knoxville home for sale. Spring is the start of real estate high season, which make the overall atmosphere a little bit different than other times of the year. It’s important that as a buyer you’re prepared.
To make things easier, we’ve created a quick guide to preparing to buy a Knoxville home this spring.
Set Your Budget
You cannot start your home search without setting your budget. Otherwise, you’re starting off your home search blind during one of the busiest times of the year.
In order to determine your budget, you’ll want to talk with your loan officer to see how much you can afford. Based on the information, you can set yourself a budget. It’s very possible that you’ll be approved for more than you want to spend, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend the max amount your approved for.
Think about how much you’re comfortable with spending each month on your mortgage and determine what price range you should buy in. Keep in mind, there will be other expenses not included in your mortgage payment. You’ll want to account for utilities, particularly if you’re increasing your home size. You’ll also want to account for any homeowner’s association dues, property taxes, insurance, as well as general maintenance.
Figure Out Your Wants/Needs
Before you embark on your home search, it important to have a clear picture of what you’re looking for. Without a clear understanding of what you need in a home and want you want in a home, you can spend a lot of chasing your tail and could potentially miss out on a great house.
A housing need is something that is essential in a house. For example, if you have kids, you may need a certain number of bedrooms or bathrooms. Things like number of bedrooms and bathrooms, a certain square footage, a bonus room, or home office are all things that are typical housing needs.
In contrast, a housing want is something you’d like to have, but it’s not essential. For example, you may prefer an updated kitchen and master bathroom. Housing wants are the little extras to a home that are the icing on the cake. Things like neutral paint throughout, a great patio, or lots of storage space are all typical housing wants.
Find A Great Realtor
A great Knoxville realtor is one of the largest assets to assisting you find the perfect home.
A great Realtor is filled with local market knowledge. He or she can provide you with detailed local knowledge that you cannot find online. A realtor can also have insider knowledge of great homes that are going to be hitting the market.
One of the best things you can do when selecting a realtor is to pick someone who specializes in the area you want to buy in. A specialist can have insider knowledge about an area.
Start Your Search
Once you’ve set a budget, determined your wants and needs, and selected a fabulous realtor, it’s finally time to start your home search.
Starting to look at homes can be an exciting and overwhelming experience for many buyers. If time allows, it can be best not to cram 15 homes into one day. When buyers do that, they can often overwhelmed by how many homes they see in one day. Houses can blend together when you see too many in one day.
In order to help remember homes as you view them, it can be helpful to jot down some quick notes about the homes you like and to snap a few pictures with your smartphone. It’s an easy and helpful way to remember the homes you like.
While you can always go back to a home for a second viewing, pictures and notes can be an easy way to remember things after seeing a home.
Be Prepared To Act Quickly
Once the spring market hits, in certain price ranges, homes can start to move quickly.
If you’ve been out searching and haven’t found something you like, it’s important that you’re prepared to act quickly when something great hits the market. Homes that are priced competitively and boast awesome features don’t tend to last long.
When you find something you like it can also be important to not take to long writing an offer. You don’t want to waste time and miss out on a great home.
Bottom Line – Be Prepared For The Spring Market
When you consider buying a home during one of the busiest times of the year, it’s imperative that you’re prepared. The best buyers in spring have a set budget, know what they want, and have the help of a great realtor.
Are you thinking about buying a Knoxville this year? Please let us know if there is anyway that Knoxville Home Team can assist you. Rick can be reached at 865-696-9002 or via email at [email protected]. Kati can be reached at [email protected] or at 865-696-1888.
If you’re ready to start your home search today, be sure to our Knoxville Home Search Page.
