For first-time homebuyers, from Southwest Florida to Seattle, the real estate process can sometimes feel like a tug-of-war. For example, you probably want the most bang for your buck, but at the same time, you also want a home that you can enjoy and love. And even in affordable Southwest Florida, buying a home means balancing your priorities against your property choices. But, as your resource for all things real estate, I knew I had to put together an easy, straightforward list of questions that can help smooth out this process for you if you’re buying a home.
What sort of area would you like to live in?
Location, location, location. You’ve probably heard this often on your journey to buy a new home. In Southwest Florida, we’re lucky enough to have a large variety of choices, from quaint coastal island living to the bustling downtown lifestyle. There’s even rural choices all throughout our area! For many people, this is one of the biggest questions to answer to help them begin balancing their wants and needs.
What features would you most like to have in your home?
Locally, features like a pool or a large patio in the backyard can be key. While features often fall into the “want” category as opposed to the “need” category, knowing which are most important to you can help narrow in on those properties that will make the most sense for you and your situation.
What are your growth plans for the future?
It may sound like an odd question, and of course, your life can always change, but this one is important. Knowing ahead of time that you may want children can mean the difference between a smaller condo vs a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home, for example. Although the answer to this question may not be set in stone, you’ll likely have an idea of your direction for the next 5 or 10 years, and this can give us a huge insight.
What style home do you see yourself in?
This may not be as vital as the others, but it’s still important to ask. Locally properties can range from contemporary new construction to cute, 1950s Mid-Century Modern. And although it may be a lesser priority, a home’s style does factor into your decision when you’re buying a home.
What range are you most comfortable with for your budget?
After decades of helping people purchase homes, in Southwest Florida and beyond, I’ve learned that setting a budget range is most helpful. This is because the price of properties can differ greatly from area to area and with feature to feature. If you set a single number, you may feel like you’re either selling yourself short or breaking the bank. While your bank will approve your final loan amount, a budget range gives you the flexibility to balance the answers to our other questions against each other in a positive way. In addition, the result is a smoother, more enjoyable home buying decision for you.
Are you thinking about buying a home in Southwest Florida? I’d love to be your expert and show you all the possibilities in our area. Just send me an email!
Terry Records
Broker/Owner
Records Results Real Estate
Residential Sales and Property Management Service