Can't Keep Up? Two Ways To Simplify Your Search For The Perfect Home
Looking for a new home can seem like a daunting task at first, but looking for homes for sale doesn't have to be a long, drawn-out process. In fact, if you follow these simple tips to simplify the home hunting process, you can be well on your way to finding a beautiful new place to live that meets all your needs. Whether you're looking at 55+ house listings or have a single one in mind, here are ways to keep things simple.
Make a List of Your Essentials
Everybody has an idea in their head about what their perfect home would look like. However, many people never take the time to really assess why certain features are preferable and which ones may be attainable within their budget. Make a list of all the things that you truly want in a home. Common essentials include:
- Porch or Balcony
- Adequate Closet Space (Determine how much you need before looking at apartments.)
- Built-in Appliances (Some prefer dishwashers, built-in microwaves, or certain types of stoves.)
- Square Footage of Home and Property
- Large Master Bedroom
- Number of Bedrooms
- Bathtub and Shower Combo
- Garage Parking
- Free Parking
- Swimming Pool
Document Everything
It can be really easy to just comb through online listings for homes and instantly email any potential rental companies or real estate agents. However, before you know it, you may have contacted so many people that it's easy to lose track. You may not really remember who is replying back to you and which homes they're referring to when they do. The simple fix to this dilemma is to document everything. Here's how:
- Start a new document on your computer to track all the rental listings you consider.
- After each apartment you check out, type in the contact person's name, the apartment building name, the apartment's address, contact phone number, and email contact of every apartment you consider.
- When you hear back from a potential landlord, simply hold down the Control and F keys. When the search box appears, type the name in your document. It will automatically bring you to the documented listing. There, you will have access to the details of the apartment and can decide whether you want to look at it.
- Every time you hear back from a rental manager or landlord, type the contact date and information on the sheet.
Finally, when you are looking at homes for rent or sale, keep in mind that you are searching for the place where important moments of your life will happen. It's worth the effort and time to find just the right house.