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House Hunting Tips From a Real Estate Professional

I am Jami Downing, a real estate professional based in Lacey, Washington. I work with Abbey Realty and am fully dedicated to helping our clients find their dream homes in the Washington area.

Working with a realtor can make your property hunt easier but I believe that we all deserve to find and purchase the home of your dreams. This is why I am here to share the following tips to help you on your hunt:

Before You Shop

To speed up your house hunt, make sure you have the following requirements in order:

Be a smart consumer by learning the financing basics. I can help you choose a home loan that is right for you.
Get preapproved for a loan. I have trusted loan contacts that I would love to refer your way. Together we can decide the price range that fits your lifestyle.
Know what you are looking for in a home because the last thing you need is to close a deal and realize you bought a house you do not want. Ask yourself what you're looking for in a home, before you shop. Things to consider include size, commute time, and necessary repairs.
Keep your debt load to a minimum by not making major purchases or incurring any additional debt until after your purchase. Pay down credit cards and do not apply for new ones because financial institutions evaluate your finances based on your gross monthly income. Your total monthly house costs should not exceed 28 percent of your gross monthly income.
Be prepared to view new properties quickly because sometimes, homes sell quickly, so you have to be ready to make fast decisions and be accessible to change the terms.
Have open communication with your agent to stay updated on the properties you are interested in purchasing.

Before You Buy

Make sure to consider the following steps before closing in on a deal:

Submit a strong, competitive offer.
Include a substantial and earnest money deposit because sometimes, offers are accepted based on the amount of the deposit.
Try to minimize the number of contingencies. Fewer contingencies make your offer stronger.
Hire an inspector because a professional building inspector or appraiser will make sure the house of your choice is in satisfactory condition.
Check zoning regulations and covenants. Good residential neighborhoods will be zoned to keep out commercial and industrial users. Read any restrictive covenants and make sure they fit your lifestyle.
Request an updated property survey and be sure it clearly marks boundaries. Check for problems that may occur.
Make sure you know what stays or goes.
Your contract should be very specific about which items (appliances, furniture, and, etc.) are included in the sale.
Get agreements in writing and make sure verbal agreements are written into the final contract to avoid any stressful and expensive issues later.

Mortgage Calculator

You can use this mortgage calculator to get a gist of how much your mortgage will be for your properties:

Links and Resources

My team and I have compiled a few helpful links that could further help you on your home-purchasing journey:

Home Improvement

Do it Yourself Books
Concrete countertops, decks, and just about everything you may want to do in your new home.

Hardware and Tools
Tools for do it yourself projects

Home & Garden

Home and Garden Magazines
A large selection of home and garden products

Natural Area Rugs
A great site with lots of natural fiber rugs

Rustic Mexican Furniture
Great source for rustic and unfinished furniture

Satellite System from Dish Network
Free installation of the dish.

Let Me Assist You

Allow me to provide you with professional real estate assistance as you find your dream home.

Begin Your House Hunt