You’ve given your agent all the must-haves for your future home, and they’ve combed through listings, and have found some houses for you to tour. You’ve got your hopes up as you walk through every door, but you need to keep in mind that not every house on the list will be move-in ready.  Don’t turn your back on them, though.  Read on to see what’s best ignored while on the hunt for a new home. 

• Age of the house isn’t a factor if the house is structurally sound.  Just be certain to ask about updates or add-ons, and any other factors that could be problems with an older home. 
• Poorly maintained curb appeal can be a turn-off as soon as you drive up, but if the house is great, the landscaping can be taken care of with a little hard work, new front door and mailbox, and a few pots of plants. 
• Unattractive Paint/Wallpaper -Walking into some can be like walking into a time capsule when you see a mauve living room, or a bathroom with swans adorning the wallpaper. A gallon of paint can take care of the ugly.  Focus on the structure of the walls, and check for cracks or holes.   

• Dirty carpets can be a negotiating point when you make an offer on the house.  Sometimes the seller is willing to give credit for replacing the carpet or may change it out themselves.  Do, however, lift the corners of the carpet to see if it’s covering hardwood. 
• Smells like cigarette smoke and animal odors can be a turn off but remember that a thorough cleaning and airing-out is what it takes to freshen up a house.  Moldy smells shouldn’t be ignored, however. 
• Remember that many people that have an extra bedroom set it up as an office or use what’s listed as a dining room for a sitting area.  Don’t let that keep you from imagining a sleek new dining room suite for entertaining, or the much-needed third bedroom for your growing family. 
• The current owner’s decor may not be your style at all, but you’re not buying their furniture!  Simply take note of the general layout and size of each room to determine if the house will work for your needs. 

You will probably be surprised when you walk into some houses that haven’t been redecorated in thirty years, or that have a guest room functioning as a museum for their snow globe collection!  Have faith in the houses your agent finds, as they understand your needs, and know that some homes only need your touch to make it yours! 

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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Photo credit: curbly.com

Bigger is better almost all of the time, except when it comes to the amount you’re spending on a new home.  There are certain things that we should look for in a new house, but also things we shouldn’t.  If this is your first time buying a home, and you know the budget will be tight, plan well enough, and you’ll better manage the expense of being a homeowner.   

• Decide before you start house hunting how much you can spend.  We can’t say it enough:  plan a budget and stick to it. 
• Just because you are approved for a certain loan amount, it doesn’t have to be spent. If you can find a house that you love for less than the approval limit, then go with it.   
• If you do find a house at a “great price,” find out why it’s priced to sell.  Talk to neighbors, do some internet sleuthing, and make sure you’re making the right decision to buy it when everyone says it’s a “steal.”   

• Getting a house in a great school district is wonderful, but if you don’t have children, or will likely move once you do, don’t spend the extra to move into an area that is probably higher priced because of the quality of local education. 
• When it comes to the kids, do they really need a play or media room?  If your children are involved in after-school activities and spending a lot of time at practices, rehearsals and lessons, then the extra space won’t be used often.  The extra cost in the purchase price–not to mention the utilities to heat and cool the rooms–will be money wasted. 
• That same thinking goes hand-in-hand with living in a bigger house, period.  Larger houses will cost more in insurance, taxes, and utilities.  Even if your mortgage payments will likely be cheaper than your current rent, the extra costs can hurt your wallet once you move. 
• If you’re not the type that likes to do yard work, or if you don’t want to spend your time off work mowing, raking, weeding and trimming, then a large beautiful yard isn’t worth the money.   
• A house that needs simple cosmetic updates is great for those who have the time and money to perform these jobs themselves, but if you buy a house that’s within your budget with the intent to do extensive work, it may cost you much more in the end. 

The wisest thing to do during the home-buying process is take your time and think practically.  Have your needs at the top of your house-hunting list, and your wants further down. Falling in love with an amazing house can cloud our home-buying decision.  You don’t want to spend your days in an amazing house worrying about how you’ll pay for it.  Buy what you can afford, and what you’ll truly live in and enjoy.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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Photo credit: daveramsey.com

There is plenty to do to prepare for buying your new home, and once you’re actively touring homes or stopping into an open house, you can draw a blank when it comes time to ask specifics.  Have some questions ready to prepare yourself so you won’t forget! 

Open House and Walkthrough 

• How long has the house been on the market, and are there any current offers? The length of time it’s been for sale can mean savings for you, or you may not want to bother if there are already multiple offers. 

• Why is the current owner selling?  This may seem like prying, and you may not get the exact answer, but it can add flexibility to price negotiations if the owner is ready for a fast sale. 
• Ask for a seller’s disclosure before you think about making an offer. Check this list for your state’s info about what the seller must tell you before buying the house. 
• How old is the roof? An older roof that has issues can either cost in the long run, or give you a discount on the sale price if it need replacing. 
• If it isn’t obvious, ask when the house was last updated.  With people living longer, some could have lived in the same home for fifty years and done nothing else besides redecorating. 
• Condition of the home’s systems are important, so inquire about the age of the water heater, electric, plumbing, security and climate control systems. 
• How is the home heated and insulated, including the attic?  You need to have a good idea of what your utilities will cost, and heating can be expensive, whether it’s propane, electric, or geothermal if the insulation needs improving. 
• Has the house been treated for pests on a regular basis?  This can keep a lot of headaches at bay in the long run. 
• What is included in the sale price, and are any warranties still active?  You don’t want to be surprised when you start moving in and find out you have to buy all new appliances. 
• You may be moving in the same general area, but a different city or county.  Property taxes vary per location, so make sure you know how much you will be paying if you eventually purchase the home. 
• If your prospective new home is in a historic district or homeowner’s association, there will be restrictions on how you renovate or build an addition, and fees for HOA.  Ask your realtor for these details. 

Pay Attention 

• While you’re on your walkthrough, pay attention to traffic and nearby surroundings.  Spend several minutes outside in the front and back yards and listen for any traffic noise, or a noisy possible neighbor. 
• Is your prospective new home on a busy shortcut street in the mornings and evenings?  Make time to discover for yourself and drive through on your way to or from work. 
• Look closely at fresh paint jobs for cracks or possible mold.  Sometimes, that new paint is covering up a problem. 
• Check your mobile phone for signal strength.  Different areas can be dead zones. 
• Drive through the area one evening after most people are home from work.  Is there plenty of parking available? 

Using these opportunities to find all the information you can about a potential new home is imperative when you know you’ll be looking at many different homes on the market.  Do your homework–keep a list of questions on your mobile phone’s notepad app so you won’t forget anything, or use a clipboard if you’re looking at multiple houses, keeping this information better organized. Since buying a home will most likely be your biggest investment, you want to be certain your money will be spent wisely. 

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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Photo credit: ashwinarchitects.com

There could be some legitimate reasons for not buying a home but indecision is not one of them. Indecision is rooted in not having enough information to move forward to own a home or continue renting.

If you keep renting, at the end of the year, you have had a place to live and a pile of receipts that helped the landlord pay for his house. Deciding to buy a home will give you a place to live that is yours and all the things that come with that.

When you consider principal reduction, appreciation and tax savings, your monthly cost of housing could be much less than the rent you’re paying. The principal reduction included in each payment is like a forced savings account that increases as your mortgage balance decreases. Your equity in the property will also grow due to appreciation as the home goes up in value. The equity is part of your net worth and an investment in your family’s future.

The income tax savings can be an additional financial consideration if the combined interest and property taxes are greater than the allowable standard deduction.

Trends are showing that both tenants and homeowners are staying in their homes longer. It’s been said that whether you rent or own, you’re paying for the home. Do you really want to buy the home for your landlord? Check out your numbers on a Rent vs. Own and then, call us to help make it happen.

By: PatZaby.com

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Get Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!