Flipping Fixer Upper Homes

If you are ready to buy a home for your family, then you may be feeling paralyzed by all of the various properties currently on the market that you can choose from. Thankfully, with the advent of the internet, there is no reason to visit an indefinite number of homes in person, instead, define your search criteria very carefully and then only tour homes that fall within it.

To help you save time and narrow down your list of homes to tour, here are some tips:

Write Down Your List of Requirements

Before you start looking at homes, first you need to sit down with your family and make a list of all of your requirements. Your list should include things you must have, things you must not have, and things that are optional. For example, ask yourselves each of these questions and write down the answers:

• What is your maximum price?
• How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you want?
• What city or town do you want to live in?
• What school district do you want to live in?
• Do you want a swimming pool?

In addition, you should also consider the size of a yard your home should have and how close you want to be to your neighbors' homes.

Analyze Homes by Price Per Square Foot

Once you know what you are looking for in a home and have started looking at sales listings online, then you should look closely at the current market value per square foot in each area. Exclude any homes that are more than a few dollars higher per square foot for the area because these homes are overpriced. 

Do Multiple Tours of Homes You Like

If you find two homes that you like equally, then spend some time doing multiple tours of each. Start with the front door and look at everything in the home and yard as closely as possible. As you do this, you will notice the small defects that you might otherwise overlook. Once you have spent a while in each home, you will have a better idea which best meets your criteria.

Communicate Your Needs to Your Real Estate Agent

Finally, it is vital that you clearly communicate your new home needs with your real estate agent. The better you can describe to your agent exactly what you are looking for, then the better they can pre-screen homes. Their expert screening will save you a lot of time and effort while touring homes.

Contact a realtor that specializes in homes for sale in your area for more information and assistance.