7 Things to Do Before You Start House Hunting

BEFORE YOU START SCROLLING THROUGH HOUSES...

Looking at homes is usually the fun part.

You start saving listings, checking out kitchens, comparing neighborhoods and imagining where the furniture would go.

But before we start scheduling showings, there are a few things worth getting in order.

Doing some homework upfront can make your home search a lot smoother — and help you avoid falling in love with a house that doesn't actually fit your situation.

Here are 7 things I recommend doing before you start house hunting.

1. FIGURE OUT WHAT PAYMENT YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH

Notice I said comfortable with, not simply what you can qualify for.

Your mortgage payment may include principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance and possibly HOA fees.

Think about what you want your life to look like after you buy the house.

You still want money for savings, vacations, dinners out, hobbies and everything else you enjoy.

The house should fit your life — not consume it.

2. TALK WITH A LENDER

You don't need to know everything about mortgages before talking with a lender.

That's their job.

A lender can review your financial situation and help you understand potential loan options, estimated payments and what you may qualify for.

If something needs improvement before you're ready, you'll know what to work on instead of guessing.

3. GET PREAPPROVED

Once you're serious about purchasing, getting preapproved is an important step.

It gives us a realistic price range and can put you in a stronger position when it's time to submit an offer.

I'd rather know the numbers before we find the house you love.

4. DECIDE WHAT YOU ACTUALLY NEED

Make two lists:

Must-haves and nice-to-haves.

Maybe you need three bedrooms but would like four.

Maybe a garage is non-negotiable, while a finished basement would simply be a bonus.

Knowing the difference helps us avoid eliminating a great house because it doesn't check every single box.

Because unless we're building it from the ground up, there's a good chance we'll have to compromise somewhere.

5. THINK ABOUT LOCATION BEYOND THE HOUSE

A beautiful house in the wrong location probably isn't the right house.

Consider your commute, nearby amenities, taxes, lifestyle and how convenient the location is for the things you regularly do.

I'll help you research different communities, but ultimately you decide which location feels right for you.

6. HAVE MONEY SET ASIDE FOR MORE THAN THE DOWN PAYMENT

The down payment gets most of the attention, but there may be other expenses during the buying process.

Depending on your transaction, you could have costs related to inspections, earnest money, appraisal, closing and moving.

And I'd prefer you don't spend your very last dollar getting into the house.

Keep something in reserve for after you get the keys.

Homes have a funny way of waiting until you move in to show you what they need.

7. CHOOSE YOUR REALTOR® BEFORE YOU FIND THE HOUSE

Don't wait until you see the perfect house online to start looking for an agent.

Having your REALTOR® in place beforehand means we can discuss your goals, set up your home search and be ready when the right property hits the market.

I'll also help you understand the process before we're standing inside a house trying to decide whether to write an offer.

NOW WE CAN START HOUSE HUNTING

Once we've handled the preparation, then the fun part starts.

We'll narrow down your areas, establish your price range and start looking for homes that actually fit what you're trying to accomplish.

And no, you don't need to have everything perfectly figured out before contacting me.

If buying a home is something you're considering in the St. Louis, St. Charles, or surronding areas, we can start with a conversation and figure out the rest from there.

Micadez Favors, REALTOR® | MRP
EXIT Elite Realty

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